Chapter 414
"I feel like I'm going to collapse..cause I am," Serena said falling to the floor of the group's latest hotel room.
"The bed was two feet away..jeez.." Raye muttered. "Oh well..more for me."
She said crashing on it.
"Good night all," Yaten muttered as he and Taiki went into the next room.
"Visinite really wanted it this time," Setsuna said and walked into the room.
Amy sighed.
"I'm really not up to deep thought anymore," Amy said and fell onto her mattress.
Setsuna grinned.
"Can't blame you all," Setsuna said. She walked outside to the balcony of the hotel room and pulled out her communicator.
"Oh..hello Setsuna, I was getting worried," Haruka said.
"No big deal..just another massive battle," Setsuna said.
"Hmm..you win?"
"Of course," Setsuna said. "However I think the scouts will sleep for several days now."
"And how are you doing?" Haruka asked.
"Fine..you?"
"I am surviving," Haruka said.
"Try to relax Haruka."
"Now is not the time, perhaps I have been wrong about my fears of death, however...this is a war, a brutal one, and I can't let my guard down."
"I suppose you are right to say that."
"You be careful too," Haruka said. "Our enemies have proven to be quite desperate and willing to go all out to succeed."
"I know," Setsuna said. "Don't you worry about us. But Haruka you keep an eye on everyone over there all right?"
"Sure Setsuna," Haruka said. "You should get some rest."
"No.I've learned to go without it at times like this."
"All the same," Haruka said.
Setsuna nodded.
"Well good night Setsuna," Haruka said.
Setsuna nodded and cut the link. She sighed.
How many more wars huh? She thought.
Tokyo University.
Darrien starred at the equation sitting on the chalk board in front of him.
"I don't like the look of that," he said.
"You shouldn't, you must have written it while you were asleep," Furi said walking in.
"Oh..I guess.."
"Darrien..I think you're letting the stress get to you a little too much," Furi said.
"I just want to succeed," Darrien said.
"Yes..well there's success, and then there's burnout, I try to avoid the latter. You should too."
"Guess so, but I've had to play a lot of catchup."
"Yes..all those things that keep happening to you and all.." Furi said. "You're not very lucky are you?"
"In many ways..no..but in other ways..I couldn't be happier."
"Well..I wouldn't be happy if the boss see's that."
"Yes...you're right," Darrien said.
"You really should be more attentive, if you are trying to succeed and all."
"Yeah..I know.." Darrien muttered.
"Lunch later?"
"Sure."
"All right.." Furi said and walked out.
She has no idea. Darrien thought.
Unlike the others scouts he couldn't duck school to fight off the enemy menace. He had to stick it out at college. Of course he was under surveillance whenever he was away...which while limiting the search radius of anything Patterson did, was also a necessity. Darrien knew he was a target, but hoped it wouldn't come up. He really was distracted...and doubly distracted since, his work distracted him from his other problems, and his other problems distracted him from his work. He remembered he used to be excited by the prospects of space flight, but now stuck in his meager project office he wasn't as thrilled. In fact he was coming to hate this pursuit.
He stared at the chalkboard.
"I don't think I got anything right," he muttered. "I'm beginning to develop some strange Serenalike characteristics, which is all I need.
He sighed.
I'm doomed.
"Darrien.." came a voice.
He whirled.
"Professor Yoshinori" he said standing quickly.
"Oh sit down.." Yoshinori said.
"Yes sir," Darrien said.
"Darrien it's come to my attention you've been working long hours and running yourself ragged."
"Uh well yes.." Darrien said.
"Hmm..you have a lot of catchup work to do don't you?"
"Yes..I.."
"Darrien..I don't want to rush you..to be perfectly honest, the whole project is sort of getting held up at other ends..you're actually ahead of some of the other researchers..some very well paid researchers I might add!" Yoshinori said.
"Uh..yes professor."
"What that means is that you have some pressure off of you."
"It does?"
"Yes."
"Uh..good."
"Yes it is good. Now look..I'm pushing your project deadline back several months. And you can defer your course work for the entire program for a month or two..I mean..after all..does it really matter if you graduate in June..or August anyway does it?"
"No it doesn't," Darrien said.
"Good...good..so..is that okay?" Yoshinori said.
"Yes.."
"Darrien..take a few weeks off will you.."
"Uh..yes sir!"
"But when you come back..it's going to be wall to wall work."
"No problem," he said.
"Good Darrien, you're actually quite promising despite your bad luck. So anyway..take care of yourself."
"Thank you sir."
"Yes...yes...anyway..get out of here will you."
"Uh..right," Darrien said.
He hurried out the door.
"Nice boy," Yoshinori said.
Cherry Hill, soon afterwards.
"You're doing what?" Lita asked.
"I'm headed to England..." Darrien said. "Gotta catch up with Serena and the others."
"Ah..good idea," Lita said.
"Darrien, I'm coming too," Mina said.
"But.."
"The scouts need backup and I lived there for years, I'm going.."
"Uh..all right.."
"We can keep each other company on the flight."
"Uh..fine.." Darrien said.
"Right let's go.."
"Uh..."
"No hesitation!"
"Mina..I have to get ready.."
"Oh...well..that's always good too."
"Mina..do you really think you should be making such a command decision?" Lita asked.
"Look, Lita, I'm right," Mina said. "The scouts still need to find three crystals in just that area alone. Besides, they're under strength."
"So are we," Lita said.
"Yes, but ...the enemy doesn't know that," Mina said.
"I think they do."
"I'm going.."
"All right..all right.." Mina said.
"Trust me..I know what I'm doing here."
"Sure you do Mina," Lita said.
"See you later!" Mina said hurrying off.
"I hope she knows what she's doing," Lita said.
"What who's doing?" Michiru asked.
"Mina's going to England."
"Hmm..it might be for the best..after all the crystals are the most important," Michiru said.
"Still..if we get a full fledged attack like last time," Lita said.
"Well Ai and Hotaru are back up to normal..and the guardian scouts will be better soon, at least most of them."
"The guardians scouts.." Lita said. "More like Guardian Decoys."
Michiru smiled.
"Decoys have their uses in war," she said.
"So they do," Lita said.
"Nice country out here isn't it Akiro?" Ai said.
"Yep," Akiro said. "I like it."
"I heard about how you rushed back when you heard I was hurt."
"What else did you expect?"
"I don't know..I guess that.."
"I'm just sorry I didn't do more."
"You came to my defense.."
"Yes..that.."
"It was enough," Ai said. "Akiro you really are everything I thought you'd be."
"Yes..well..that I know," Akiro said.
"No don't go ruining the moment with your act," Ai said.
Akiro smiled.
They kissed.
"The enemy..it is moving again," Hotaru said.
"You can sense that?" Greg asked.
"Yes..it seems my experience within Ai changed my powers somehow .it is not as painful."
"Oh..any idea what they're planning."
"Strange..everything seems a mess.."
"So what else is new?" Greg asked.
Hotaru grinned.
"Yes...we should keep an eye on the wounded though."
"Sure..thing.."
"And the departing."
"Mina and Darrien?"
"Yes...let's go with them to the airport."
"As a group?"
"No..just us..."
"All right..are you sure?"
"Positive, the others must watch the Guardians."
"Good idea," Greg said. "You're right..I should have thought of that."
"Stop hating yourself."
"I wasn't..really.."
Hotaru turned and stared at him.
"We'll deal with your problem later.." she said. "But it will be dealt with."
"Oh..." Greg said worriedly.
Tokyo General Hospital.
"Haruka what brings you by?" Ayeka asked.
"More then just you should keep an eye on those guys..." Haruka said.
"Yes..well..Greg was going to..but he and Hotaru are going to make sure Darrien and Mina don't face any surprises."
"Yes...I know," Haruka said. "That's why I'm here."
"It's ironic."
"Oh."
"Well..both of us at one time fought the people in there..very viciously...in fact.."
"You more then me..still..you're right."
"And yet know destiny has us defending them."
"It was easier for you, you were under the control of an evil force."
"Yes..still..I wonder sometimes," Ayeka said.
"About what.."
"Oh nothing..." Ayeka said.
Hmm..
"So how's it going in there?" Seiya asked.
"Seiya, why are you here?" Ayeka asked.
"I wonder that myself.." Seiya said. "But..still there's something to be said for sticking together..for defensive purposes if nothing else."
"Is there another reason?" Haruka asked.
"I'm slightly curious as to how they're all doing, from a purely tactical perspective."
"The same type of tactical perspective that applies when you're tying your shoes?" Ayeka asked.
"I can see why Patterson loves you so much," Seiya said.
"To be honest," Seiya said. "I'm especially worried about Rick, I believe I've earned his grudging respect, I think it's true the other way around. He is a good musician, a pity he hangs out with the others."
"Says you Seiya!" Mike said popping out behind him. "Hah, I'm everywhere!"
"Don't do that!" Seiya snapped.
"We're just in time for the floor show," Ai said.
"How convenient," Akiro said.
"Any change?" Ai asked.
"Afraid not," Ayeka said. "He's hurt pretty bad. I'm sorry."
"Sai will recover eventually this has happened before, he tends to take hard hits sometime, it's part of the job," Akiro said.
"D.V. has the same problem," Ayeka said. "Though he usually remains conscious."
"Sai's more of the unconscious type. That's what it takes to stop him," Akiro said.
"How are all of your friends doing?" Ai asked Mike.
"They're almost at the end of the tunnel so to speak," Mike said. "Though this is the worst beating Rick's taken in a long time. Not Steve though. He gets into these things all the time..he's pretty stupid actually."
Ai grinned.
New Tokyo International Airport.
"It was nice of you two see us off," Darrien said.
"Well you need a send off," Greg said.
"It was also tactically practical," Hotaru said.
"Yes..well..I'll see you," Darrien said.
"Yep...bye guys..enjoy the miracle of love while I'm gone!" Mina said.
"Thanks for the tip," Hotaru muttered.
"She's a little over the top, but you gotta love it huh," Greg said.
"Yes apparently I do," Hotaru said. She pulled out her communicator.
"The plane is all clear," Patterson said . "I don't know about the airport yet.."
"I can answer that question for you," Greg said. "We've got trouble."
"How many?" Patterson said.
"Looks like Chigta wants to rumble," Greg said.
"Sulcar is inevitably here..I must find him," Hotaru said.
"Yep he's flying in from the north," Patterson said.
"Got it!" Greg said. The two hurried off to transform.
Chigta rumbled towards the gate.
A cannon filled with strange oat shaped energy pellets flew the air and hit Chigta knocking him to the ground.
The crowds scattered. Chigta stood up.
"You have fallen prey to the cereal Gatling gun!" Doctor Tomoe said laughing hysterically.
Chigta growled at him.
"Want some more...it's part of a balanced breakfast!"
Chigta charged.
Tomoe hit him with a barrage. He fell back.
"Saturn Blade of Galaxies!"
Guardian Saturn's attack hit Chigta head on and smashed him through a window of the terminal.
"Oh..he wants to play does he.." came a voice. Chigta whirled.
"Prepare to meet your fate at the hands of my patented sword of omens!" Doctor Richter shouted swing a blade of negaenergy, that happened to be twenty yards long at Chigta. The creature was hit and let out a roar.
"Hit him with the patented Richter anti-enemy crash mobile!" Richter shouted.
A van roared forward and slammed into Chigta.
"And now..a very special surprise!" Richter shouted. "Bail out!"
The driver leapt out.
The van exploded.
Richter laughed. Chigta was blasted to the ground.
"On behalf of Saturn I'm afraid you must pay for your crimes! Saturn Ice Rings Blast!"
The attack hit.
Chigta shouted and then staggered back.
Saturn hit him again. Chigta charged.
"ONE MORE TIME!" Saturn shouted unleashing his attack again.
A barrage of weaponry came from Doctor Richter and Tomoe. Chigta vaporized.
"Whew.." Saturn said.
"Saturn! Dimensional Revolution!"
The attack flew out across the sky. Sulcar narrowly missed it and dived towards the plane Mina and Darrien occupied.
"Deploy the anti-flying creature guns!" Doctor Tomoe shouted into a walkie talkie.
A barrage of negaenergy flew into the air. Sulcar avoided it barely again.
"These foolish humans!"
He heard a sound. A jet raced right past him.
"Oh no!" Sulcar said whirling. Another jet fighter shot past.
"Take me up!" Doctor Richter shouted as he hopped aboard a helicopter his twenty yard long sword in hand.
"All these months we've spent in seclusion developing this is really doing a trick!" he said.
Sulcar whirled and dived towards them.
"HAH!" he said and swung his sword out. Sulcar was hit.
More helicopters rose.
"Saturn Dimensional Revolution!"
"Saturn Blade of Galaxies!"
Sulcar was hit yet again, he spun. A rose flew straight into him.
"VENUS LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE!"
The attack flew straight up and grabbed him throwing him to the ground.
"Now that's the ticket!" Tomoe shouted. Sulcar was smashed into the ground again.
"Let's finish the job," Sailor Saturn said.
"Lovely idea!" Tomoe said.
A cascade of energy reigned down. Sulcar screamed and vaporized.
"I'm impressed," Sailor Saturn said.
"Yes, well we try to please," Doctor Tomoe said.
"But I called you literally fifteen minutes ago."
"Well..we've been waiting for something like this for a long time," Doctor Tomoe said and started cackling again.
"So you have," his daughter said.
"Guess we've resolved that flight delay," Guardian Saturn said climbing off a helicopter.
"Nice job you two," Tuxedo Mask said. "Everyone..but I think we'd better go.."
"Where you headed to?" Tomoe asked.
"England.."
"Hey..we'll just get you on an SDF flight," Tomoe said. "I mean that's what we did the first time.."
"Oh..but I wouldn't want to impose.." Tuxedo Mask said.
"Hey this is national defense."
"Jeez..what happened here.." General Patterson said getting out of a jeep quickly.
"A great military victory!" Tomoe shouted.
"It was great General, I mean..we took them out" Richter said.
"You also took out half the terminal," Patterson said.
"Such is the price of victory," Tomoe said.
An SDF jet soon raced off into the sky, Mina and Darrien sat aboard it.
"I guess we did well today," Greg said.
"In no small part to you," Hotaru said.
"You suggested I call my father just in case."
"Yes well.."
"You should stop doubting yourself. I heard that you had some problems..you apparently are caring too much about everyone else."
"It's just the way I am."
"Yes..well..it's hard to deal with, but you must learn that there is a time to care, and there's a time not to," Hotaru said.
"I don't believe that."
"Hmm..well more power to you then.." Hotaru said.
Greg started laughing.
"Yes..I suppose that was quite absurd," Hotaru said and laughed as well. "You'll be fine."
"I'm beginning to realize that," Greg said.
"Hey kids..how about I take you out for ice cream," Doctor Tomoe said. "And then I can drop you off at a peaceful place where you can make out."
"DAD!" Hotaru snapped.
"Oh..sorry.." Tomoe said laughing. "How about just the ice cream, I realized it's through such actions that I prove my fatherly worth."
"I see," Hotaru said. "Very well..if Greg accepts, I shall accept."
"Uh..seems..normal..I guess..considering," Greg said.
"Good," Tomoe said. "Do you mind if it's evil ice cream?"
The two looked at him.
"Sorry..I just love teasing you kids!" he started laughing again.
"Just how much of his personality was created by the evil forces anyway?" Greg asked.
"About one percent," Hotaru said.
"Sorophyte!"
"Yes.."
"You just lost me two more troops!"
"Yes, I did, but it was worth the effort!"
"It was not!"
"Oh yes it was, because while the scouts were all busy I did something very important," Sorophyte said grinning.
399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408