Chapter 367
"What happened? There shouldn't have been that much damage!" Sero said.
"Apparently there was another energy buildup, large enough to be picked up by our sensors sir."
"Sailor Moon's energy, it must have been," Trision said.
"The two must have interacted," Sero said. "Get our forces there, surround the area, I want to know what the end result of this was."
"The scouts couldn't have survived. They were right where the attack hit," Trision said.
"I won't know until I see them," Sero said.
"Hmm.." Trision said.
"SIR!" an officer shouted.
"What now?" Sero asked.
"Our 2nd army reports it is under attack by human forces!"
"Human forces!" Sero shouted. "Get me as much information as you can about them!"
"Yes sir."
Trision stared at Sero hurriedly trying to take command.
You were completely unprepared for this. He thought.
"Did you hear that?" Guardian Earth asked.
"Of course I did," Guardian Moon said. "I'm trying to find out the location of it."
"Scouts are you there? Anyone?" Guardian Earth asked into his communicator. He received no response. "This is bad."
"Not necessarily," Guardian Moon said. "I'm reading a massive amount of interference now, I think something impacted."
"Impacted? But what would block the communicators?"
"I'm not sure. Also keep in mind we're above ground, them below," Guardian Moon said. "I'm trying to get over there. There's a lot of enemy activity."
"Naturally," Guardian Earth said.
"Oh....what..happened..."
"What?"
The two looked at the camera image. A massive crater was in the ground, water was spilling out of it.
"It look likes it goes down for...a good distance," Guardian Earth said.
"But what..could have caused that?" Guardian Moon said.
"Maybe if we were there we would have know," Guardian Earth said.
"Oh now what? Are you saying we should have been?" Guardian Moon snapped.
"Maybe I am," Guardian Earth said.
"Well we've got other problems at the moment."
"We should go back there."
"And do what? Haven't you noticed how many enemies are there? What we should do is take advantage of this, by striking those sewer emplacements, because I know you and I are still around and we have to think about how to win this war," Guardian Moon said.
"It seems like that's our only choice doesn't it?" Guardian Earth said.
"You can have it out with me later all right?"
"Oh I will," Earth said.
"Do we have a camera shot of what happened there?" General Nagumo said hurriedly.
"I think so sir. We managed to follow the trace of their main cannon."
"Call it up?"
"Sir, we've been using the computers to triangulate the position of that hit and the subsequent explosion," General Patterson said.
"Where?" Nagumo said.
"Right here..where the scouts were."
"Exactly there?"
"For an impact that large it doesn't matter," General Patterson said. "They at least took part of the shots."
Nagumo sighed.
"Well maybe they survived."
"If anyone could," Patterson said hiding his own concerns.
"Get me a report on our divisions."
"Yes sir," Patterson said and hurried off.
Gotta keep busy, can't think about it.
Sero stared at his readout.
"You're telling me that several thousand human troops just appeared in our rear out of nowhere!" he snapped.
"Sir we were not expecting them to engage us," came a communication from the surface.
"You incompetent fool!"
"Yes sir, but we need more forces!"
"You do? How many!"
"They've been overrunning us sir, fighting hand to hand, we need help!"
"How many more troops do you need!" Sero growled.
"Several divisions at least! I...don't.."
There was an explosion and the communique cut off.
"Enough! Send all of our divisions there to head that army off!" Sero said.
"Oh and now we're leaving the scouts alone! Is that wise?" Trision said.
"We will leave behind five divisions to hunt down the rest," Sero said. "Right now our main concern is those troops."
"Yes sir," Trision said.
"Sir, as far as we can tell the enemy is withdrawing towards the battle."
"We scared them by god," General Patterson said with some glimmer of satisfaction. "Tell our troops to prepare to withdraw, and tell Doctor Richter to prepare another surprise!"
"Yes sir."
"Did I hear my name," Doctor Richter said hurrying up.
"Yeah, we're withdrawing from the sewers got anything that can help us?" Patterson asked.
"Yep," Richter said. "Namely my personal connection to the sewer valve control system."
"Your what?"
"I figured it would come in handy," Richter said. "Now, let me know when your troops are past point 4803, it's clearly marked on the tunnel map."
"All right," Patterson said and made a phone call.
"The enemy is withdrawing sir."
"Pursue them, all the way back to that base of theirs!" Sero said. "I know it's out there somewhere."
"Perhaps we should have taken care of that first," Trision said.
"We will take care of it now," Sero said.
"Our troops are pursuing," the officer said.
"They've passed point 4803. Enemies are right behind them," Patterson said.
"Oh well, can't have everything." Richter said and pressed a button. He
fiddled with a keypad and then pressed several more buttons."
"Sir, our forces report that the sewer tunnels have been closing, it seems like a trap sir!"
"What..how exactly is this working?" Sero asked.
Richter began to laugh and pressed another button.
"What did you just do?" Patterson asked.
"Closed off most of the tunnels and then overflowed several of the collecting areas, in essence blowing them all down the sewer on water power, at this rate I'll have them in another prefecture."
"Well don't let that happen, we're not prepared for that," Patterson said.
"Ah..I'll just drop them off at the treatment plant five miles from the city," Richter said.
"That's better," Patterson said.
"We've lost contact with the 2nd army."
"What? What about the first?"
"They are arriving on the scene."
"Can't you see Sero! It was a trap and you fell right in," Trision said.
"Trision go down there personally and handle this," Sero said. "See what is the matter."
"I'm beginning to get a general idea," Trision said and headed out.
"These humans are very resourceful," Sero said.
"Sir, 1st army commander on the line."
"Lord Sero, the streets here are flooding, we believe that the sewers have flooded as well," the commander said.
"Establish a defensive perimeter, and send patrols back to the sight of the explosion. Confirm the scouts' deaths."
"Yes sir. Already done."
"Good. This is only a minor set back. Call our fighter command, I am tired of playing within the realm of honorable combat, the humans have gone too far. I want the surrounding hills strafed, the enemy base must be nearby!!"
"Yes sir."
"There's a very good chance they're going to find this base now," General Nagumo said. "We need to evacuate."
"Right, we'll prepare the auxiliary operations center sir," one of the officers said.
"Get all the troops to scatter to our alternate bases," General Nagumo said. "And prepare for this base for to make it's final assault."
"Aye sir. Enemy fighters are lining up for strafing runs," an officer said.
"No surprise there," Nagumo said. "Everyone let's go. Evacuate!"
The evacuation began. The officers began to hurry out. Klaxons went off. General Nagumo remained in the command center.
"You coming sir?" General Patterson asked hurrying up.
"Of course, just have to set this," General Nagumo said. "Self destruct sequence set for two minutes."
"Right sir," General Patterson said.
"But before it goes we'll have yet another surprise for those aliens."
The two hurried out the door.
Missiles began to shoot out from the base's location slamming into enemy fighters at a great rate.
"Enemy base location found sir, at least we believe so."
"Ready the main cannon."
"Yes sir, it will take some time for it to recharge. Our energy output is quite high right now."
"In the meantime continue to attack, all of our fighters engage."
"Yes sir."
More SDF missiles flew up and exploded over the base. Fighters were spiraling out of control and smashing into the hillside, then with a massive fireball, the SDF base exploded.
"Did we hit it?"
"Apparently so."
"No, they must have self destructed. Very well. Have our fighters to return to base for refueling. Then began standard patrols."
"Aye sir."
On the ground.
"So where is the 2nd army!" Trision snapped.
"Well..it's probably wherever that tunnel leads," the 1st Army's commander replied.
"NATURALLY!"
"Sir, we don't have the troops to follow it, we need fighter support."
"All right, whatever," Trision said and pulled out a communicator of his own. "Trision to base, we'll need some fighters."
"What have you found?" Sero asked.
"Probably the same thing you already know, and the second army is probably still alive just not here.."
"We have not received their lives so they must be still alive. You devote your effort to finding them."
"Yes sir," Trision snapped.
Back in the sewers.
"There's no one around, wonder what's going on," Guardian Earth said.
"They're all gathered at the other side of the city, I don't know why," Guardian Moon said. "Let's move as quickly as possible."
Guardian Earth nodded. The two took aim and fired several times blowing apart an energy device they then continued on looking for their next target.
"What is it that could have thrown them off us like that?" Guardian Earth asked. "I mean sure we were hiding, but for them to give up like that?"
"It was probably that crater, whatever happened."
"But then why aren't they there, and instead across the city."
"I don't know, let's just keep focused on what we're doing."
"Yeah, but I was just thinking it might be important."
"It just might be," Guardian Moon said. "But we're in no position to do much about it."
"Guess you're right about that," Guardian Earth said.
"I usually am, I've made mistakes, maybe even a few in the past hours, but right now, just follow my lead."
"Right,"Guardian Earth said. "For now you've got my full attention."
"Thank you," Guardian Moon said. "We've got another target up ahead."
"I'm ready."
The two opened fire and blasted the next device to pieces.
"Hmm...if there were two scouts separated from the rest...they must still be down here somewhere," Trision said.
"Sir?"
"Yes...give me a division of troops. Now."
"Sir...a division..but.."
"Don't ask questions," Trision said.
"Yes sir."
Trision pulled out his communication device.
"This is Trision, have you bothered to follow up on just what happened go Guardian Earth and Guardian Moon?"
"We've had some other concerns."
"So you have," Trision said. "However, I would be very concerned since it is isn't likely they were caught in the explosion!"
"True."
"Where were they last located?"
"We'll get you the records."
"How nice," Trision said. You'll get me the records."
"You're walking a very thin line Trision, remember that," Sero said.
"Oh I am fully aware of that," Trision said.
"We have the location for you."
He was given a sector.
"Fine," Trision said and cut the link. "Give me a division and let's go."
"But.."
"Never mind that!" Trision said. "We have to find those two."
"Uh..right..Uh.."
"Idiot! I am your superior!"
"Right..uh..I'll get you a division."
Trision sighed.
"They're onto us," Guardian Moon said.
"They are?" Guardian Earth asked.
"Yes, I can't understand their language but I can tell that some big wig is up to something," Guardian Moon said. "And I can guess that he's after us."
"Are you sure though?"
"We'll find out, just be ready for action," Guardian Moon said. They
continued to run and blew up another machine on the run.
Trision dropped into the sewer water.
"What a debacle," he said. "Come on!" he muttered.
Several troops followed and joined him from access tunnels.
"The rest of you follow us on top," he muttered. "I don't want any more surprises."
He began to walk followed by the others.
"Uh..how exactly are we going to find them?"
"They are undoubtedly down here trying to sabotage our efforts."
"Are you sure of that?"
"I am making a guess, but if we find a damage or destroyed device we will know won't we?"
"Yes sir, we will."
"So..let's move."
"Yep, they're really onto us," Guardian Moon said starring at his watch.
"Oh. Now you're sure," Guardian Earth said.
"Yes, they're several blocks behind us, so we just have to keep moving ,all right?"
"Sure."
"Now spread out!" Trision said. "Search all directions and report regularly!"
He pulled out his communicator again.
"Sero, I need more troops," he said.
"I've got my hands full. We are still trying to confirm that the other scouts have been dealt with," Sero said.
"You had ten divisions available before!"
"That was before two hundred of our divisions went for a swim! We lost seventy others in the battle with the scouts, now I've got everyone we have securing the area, before we go looking for those scouts again."
"Fine, then this will be on your hands," Trision said and cut the
communications. "Forward!"
"They're moving faster now," Guardian Moon said. "Let's keep at it."
"I'm getting tired," Guardian Earth said. "We should rest somewhere."
"We don't have time for that," Guardian Moon said.
"Easy for you to say," Guardian Earth said. "But I'm running out of juice."
"All right, all right, they wouldn't be expecting this anyway,"Guardian Moon said. He blasted open a manhole cover. "Let's find somewhere to rest."
"Right," Guardian Earth said.
"We're getting close I can feel it!" Trision shouted. "Look....another box destroyed. Speed up and get ready."
Trision drew a large sword.
"I will handle them personally if I have to," he said.
The group raced down the tunnel.
In a grocery store downtown.
"Don't eat so much there,." Guardian Moon said.
"Maybe the last chance I get for a while," Guardian Earth said stuffing more food in his pockets.
"Yeah I guess, maybe, all right, but we've gotta go," Guardian Moon said. "They've almost reached where we made our exit."
"So they'll just think we kept going."
"They might figure things out when they find that the next device isn't
destroyed," Guardian Moon said.
In the sewers below.
"Hmm..so they left this one alone...which means..they must be on the surface!"
And Trision went racing back down the tunnel.
"All right everyone converge on this street!" he shouted into his communicator.
The manhole cover was blasted off and he hurried up the ladder.
Trision was hit with two energy blasts and immediately vaporized.
"Maybe that was the better idea," Guardian Earth said.
He and Guardian Moon dropped behind a house.
Enemy troops began spilling out into the street.
"They got Trision!" one of them shouted.
"And we'll get you too!" Guardian Moon said leaping out again and launching his attack. A wave slammed into the enemy annihilated the whole group.
"Was that all?" Guardian Earth asked.
A fighter zoomed at them.
"Looks like we've been spotted," Guardian Moon said and dived back down the manhole.
"Enemies!" he shouted and drew his sword as the group swarmed. Guardian Earth dropped after him.
"Guess there was more," Guardian Earth said.
Guardian Moon leapt back.
"Jump Earth!"
Another attack rippled down the sewer and hit the enemies. The two Guardian Scouts hurried off.
"Well this was fun," Guardian Earth said.
"Something tells me there's a lot going on that we're missing here," Guardian Moon said. "They should have more than enough troops to track us down, but they send those few, there were more after us earlier."
"Who knows? But then again maybe it was all that stuff I was talking about and you didn't care to pursue." Guardian Earth said.
"Maybe," Guardian Moon said. "But whatever it is we've got to find somewhere to hide, or link up with the others."
"If there's any others left."
"Lets find out."
"You kidding? That's where all the bad guys are going to be."
"Well my curiosity is overcoming my better judgement," Guardian Moon said.
"But..shouldn't I keep you from being so foolish?"
"And when have you been able to stop me?"
"This is no time to get like that," Guardian Earth said.
"I'm afraid it's too late to talk me out of it," Guardian Moon said and took off down a pipeline.
Earth sighed and raced after him.
"Can't say I'm sorry to see you gone Trision," Sero said. "So Saritin, are you ready for this war."
"Oh yes sir," The female Saritin said. "I am ready to serve."
"Excellent," Sero said. "So what would you suggest we do?"
"I'm glad you asked," Saritin said with a grin.
It was to the sound of dripping water that Sailor Moon awoke. She picked herself off the ground.
"Wha..what.." she just looked around. "Where? Anyone around!" she shouted.
She received no response.
She stood up and wobbly fell back down.
"Ow.." she said and pulled the tiara off her head. It gave off some light and she looked around.
"What is this place...the sewer right.."
She wandered around some more and then noticed the glowing eyes staring at her from all around. She whirled.
"Who..are..you?" she asked.
A group of creatures emerged from the shadows. She really didn't recognize them but they reminded her of all the monsters she had faced up to this point.
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