Cat-pains Log : Being the journal of Apollo, long suffering ship's cat on the
historic first voyage of the spaceship "Deep Thought". His
accounts of the many incidents aboard ship which resulted in
his first ulcer in centuries.
Transcribed from his audio diary by Mark Latus
Apollo's Log - Day 1
At long last the day has arrived! After more than 150 years of waiting
we are finally departing upon our epic voyage to revive the solar system
and bring about the great rebirth that has been our dream for so long. It
seems very appropriate to mention dreams for they have been so central to
our quest. It was dreams that lead Lady Uranus and Lady Neptune to the
younger Senshi and to Azurite. Why the presence of the latter is vital we
have yet to discover but the dreams have not been wrong yet. Perhaps it is
the symbolism of a descendant of Silver Millenium's destroyers assisting in
it's resurrection. Perhaps it is some larger purpose. I suspect before our
quest is done we shall have our answer.
Selene just replayed my entry when I took a break to grab a drink and
made a few comments on it. I'm definitely going to lock it under password
access from now on. But if you're hearing this before I manage that Selene
here's a few comments for you. I am fully aware our Lady's prefer their
birthnames (or should I say rebirth names) to their titles. But it's my
journal so I can call them what I like. Secondly I am well aware everyone's
talking about this being a new beginning rather than a Silver Millennium
Renaissance but you should allow me my fancies. Yes, I am well aware there
were things could have been better organized in the old days but that's with
the benefit of hindsight. Overall it was a glorious time and we will not
see its' like again.
Selene had just snuck up behind me and listened to me dictating this
entry whereupon she whacked me on the head. As this log's programmed to
enter my voice alone she insisted I add her rebuttal or get thumped again.
So I'm acting under duress in entering this. Quote, "Stop living in the past
you old furbag! Silver Millenium wasn't some unattainable golden age that we
can never recreate. It had flaws aplenty that get glossed over in its'
remembrance. Which is not to say it wasn't better than what had preceded it's
founding and most if not all of what followed. Remember how many Terrans in
our own time mourned the passing of the Golden Imperium and the rule of
Imperial Earth as a great tragedy? Bollocks to that. Whatever flaws it had
the Silver Millenium was a vast improvement over that. Many of the divisions
between the worlds back then were relics of the days of empire. This time
it'll be different! We're starting with a blank slate and without the baggage
of the past. So it won't be a rebirth of Silver Millennium. It'll be the
Goldem Millennium. Something new and better!"
Selene's not going to leave until I save her little speech for posterity
so I'll do than soon as I finish this entry. But from now on this log will
be locked and dictated purely in private. It's going to consist of my
thoughts and record on our epic voyage. I am not being pretentious, Selene.
If you ask me this is no way to treat your lifemate!
It seems she agrees as she's nibbling my ear. More later.
Apollo's Log - Day 2
There were plenty of things about yesterday I didn't add yet. Still I
won't bother to describe the launch as there will be no shortage of video
records. Nor any shortage of recordings and transcripts of Lady Uranus's
stirring speech to our assembled group. A shame it'll be years before we
can release any of it to the world. Indeed outside of our group only Queen
NeoSerenity is aware the project even exists. At any rate there is little
point in describing well documented material. I will however describe a
few things leading up to the assembly that will be overlooked in the official
records.
Most of them were in the central hall two hours before the designated
time. Following breakfast the majority chose to mill around getting edgy
while we waited for our three roving members. The other nonresident,
Ferrite, had arrived at the moonbase three days earlier having finished making
arrangements for his absence at Irons Corp. He must be well practiced at it
by now and have time tested policies to cover it. In truth, this will be one
of his shorter absences as he is not dying and awaiting reincarnation. At
least I hope he's not as his sudden death aboard ship would probably mean
we've run into serious difficulties. Puck declined to accompany Ferrite on
this mission. While I'm happy about that I'd rather Ferrite hadn't relayed
his reasons. Just before heading into space you don't want to hear your
fellow mooncat said, "I didn't last 13,000 years by being crazy enough to
head off to face who knows what in a jury rigged spaceship held together
by bubblegum and hope." That did wonders for my confidence. Puck always
was a pain in the tail.
I really wish the Great Portal still worked. It would be much simpler
and safer than heading to Uranus in this rebuilt Nemesian junkheap. The fact
it's designed to need a much larger crew meant we had to automate many of
it's systems which worries me. Selene shares my discomfort at putting our
lives in the hands of unliving minds. We would both feel more comfortable
with an experience crew of star sailors. Still Ferrite knows exactly how we
feel but has reassured us that the computers will do the job. He'd also much
prefer a solid crew manning it. But, having lived through the development of
technology, he has a greater appreciation and trust in it that we other
survivors of Silver Millennium lack.
Possibly I would trust artificial intelligences to a greater extent if
the most prominant example we'd encountered wasn't Sakuya's perverted pet.
Whoever created that thing (and RH isn't saying) must have been some sort of
complete deviant. Azurite once claimed to have discovered the designer's
identity but refused to share it or reveal any details of their encounter.
She won't talk about the matter any further.
Speaking of Azurite she materialized shortly before ten with the Crystal
Tokyo contingent. She apologised for being late saying her goodbye to her
daughter had been more difficult than she's anticipated. As always Vicky
glared at them both which usually makes them try to be extra friendly. Which
tends to get Vicky even more worked up so I don't know why they bother ....
Hmmm, maybe it's intentional?
At any rate there was the usual round of greetings. As always there was
a chill between Ferrite and Azurite. Made worse than usual by her still
being in her Guardian uniform having picked up Hematite and Princess Usagi at
a formal goodbye in the palace. Ferrite has never forgiven Queen Neo
Serenity for reviving the Guardian rank in the wake of the war and confiring
it on four of Crystal Tokyo's most stalwart non senshi defenders. Ferrite
could have been the fourth but turned down the offer on the grounds it was a
desecration of the all the original Guardians to give the rank to any youma,
let alone three of them. At least when the vacant spot was offered to Phobos
he was able to comfort himself with the thought that one of the new Guardians
was human.
Vicky is not alone in her feelings. There was also a certain coolness
to varying degrees among the other younger senshi towards Princess Usagi and
Hematite. The fact neither of them is a year round resident at the base has
caused some resentment since their discovery. Intellectually the girls
understand why this must be but emotionally is another matter. As Vicky said
about the Princess, "I had to throw my whole life away and come rot in this
damn hole. Why doesn't she have to do the same?" A valid enough complaint
and there were others who had similar feelings. For the sake of group bonding
if nothing else.
But unlike them Younger Moon was the daughter of the most famous and
observed ruler on Earth. Her daughter simply couldn't disappear without a
trace for years without a lot of questions being asked. To a lesser extent
the same was true of the Princess's childhood friend Hematite. The youngest
daughter of one of the senshi she was also somewhat in the public eye.
Particularly for the many occasions she was seen with the Princess which
increased her visibility to the media.
Having our final Younger Senshi the children of senshi rather than
distant descendants caused a few unanticipated problems. Fortunately we were
able to work around them with the cooperation of Queen NeoSerenity. The cover
story is that Her Majesty has decreed in order to be prepared for an
eventual assumption of power her daughter must experience the world outside
Crystal Tokyo. Which she does by travelling incognito as official visits
will not give her a clear picture of other lands. This has resulted in a wave
of false Princess sightings worldwide. Naturally the Princess cannot be
expected to travel without protection so she is always accompanied by a
bodyguard. The bodyguard is one of Crystal Tokyo's elite warriors, second
only to the senshi. Guardian Azurite. So the Princess can disappear from
Crystal Tokyo for months at a time and all that happens is "Spot the
Princess" becomes a national pasttime in whichever country it's leaked they're
visiting. The idea that she's going off Earth hasn't been considered. After
all on all the orbital bases or lunar installations a newcomer would stand out
like a sore thumb.
Funny how neatly it all fits together. Almost forgot, the Princess
usually has two other companions on her travels. Her mooncat adviser Diana
is normally with her (though supposedly glamoured to avoid detection) along
with her childhood friend Hematite. The fact that Hem-chan usually travels
with her has lead them to be dubbed inseparable by the media. Which has lead
some of the more gutterminded press to suggest their relationship is somewhat
closer than mere friendship. This is a constant source of irritation to them
but a frequent source of amusement to Lady Uranus and Lady Neptune.
[I'm not sure if having Diana in on GM is a good idea or not. I can write
her out. Opinions?]
Which puts me in mind of my next concern. Sex. Or rather the very
unequal distribution of gender aboard this ship. Not counting Mooncats there
is a crew of 12. Ferrite, Lady Uranus, Lady Neptune, Azurite, Sakuya, Jeanne,
Fiona, Myuki, Victoria, Hitomi, Princess Usagi and Hematite. 11 women, 1
man. A definite recipe for disaster!
Admittedly those figures are a little deceptive. Lady Uranus and Lady
Neptune have one another while Azurite has maintained a monogomous
relationship for centuries. So those three aren't a factor. Also since her
unfortunate mishap in the wake of her father's death Sakuya has become the
most fanatical defender of our policy that younger senshi must avoid any
serious involvement with men. To the best of my knowledge she has remained
celibate ever since. Which is much more excessive that we intended but Sakuya
is one for extremes. It's both a strength and a weakness in her character.
At any rate that brings the ratio down to 7 to 1. Which is still likely to
lead to trouble. It is possible both the Princess and Hematite have
boyfriends in Crystal Tokyo though if such relationships exist and how firm
they are is unknown to me. I must ask Azurite, I recall her mentioning the
palace hosting a brat pack composed of our two youngest members and the
offspring of some extradimensional senshi. Something about Hematite's mother
and this outsider senshi being old friends if I recall the story. I regret I
paid little attention have small interest at the time to the goings on within
Crystal Tokyo. Foolish of me with hindsight.
Neither Fiona nor Jeanne have seemed inclined to follow their elders
example, let alone become involved with one another. Nor have any of the
others shown interests in this direction. Normally I welcome this as it will
make founding their dynasties far less onerous but in this case I suspect it
will complicate matters. I suppose that last bit shows a certain out of date
morality on my part. But I have to say that genetic ovum manipulation thing
Ladies Neptune and Uranus used to bear one another's children rubs me the
wrong way. Call me old fashioned but that's how I feel! Besides I was born
over 13,000 years ago. I've got a right to be old fashioned.
Where was I? Ah yes the inequality of the sexes. To complicate things
further I've noticed Vicky bumping into Ferrite more than really necessary
since his recent arrival. If anything happens there then we're looking at
potential jealousy among the others. Which is not something we need when
confined aboard ship millions of miles from any other company.
Complicating matters even more I notice Ferrite seemed very taken with
Hematite. He's good at hiding his emotions and managed to erase the
thunderstruck look but he seems unable to keep his eyes off her. The others
haven't noticed yet but he watching her when he thinks he's unobserved. It's
confusising to me. True it's been a while since he's seen her as their visits
rarely coincided but I'm surprised she's making such an impression. While
she's grown to be a well favoured young lady that holds true for most of
the senshi. As for ages they all appear about equal. I have to remember that
only the Princess and Hematite are the ages they appear, 19 (almost 20) and
18. Even little Hitomi is in her mid 30's. So they're all adults and I
should trust their good judgement. Yet I don't.
Selene's accused me of being overly paternalistic after having watched
them grow up then cease aging in early adulthood. That isn't the case. I
served and lived among House Uranus so I'm far from unfamiliar with what
happens when desire overrules reason. I lost count of the number of times I
had to mediate the messes the younger members of the royal household got
themselves into even with the openness of Uranian society. Fact is while
Uranus was considered unconventional back in the old days they'd be shocked
at some of the things accepted without question these days.
For example like every planetary house the Uranians were firmly committed
to the idea of monarchy. I've been shocked by the erosion of faith in
heredity rule over the centuries. We've been trying to train our Young Senshi
to rule their worlds but that's been harder than I expected.
Vicky's the worst offender. Having been brought up in the North
American United States she has little respect for monarchy! Indeed the NAUS
was formed largely from an earlier but similar nation which prided itself on
having successfully rebelled against their King! While that country has
fragmented into several nations that ideal remains honoured! The one
consolation about this whole mess is that if we had to have a North American
member of the group at least she's from the East Coast rather than the West.
The West Coast is occupied by the Californian American Federation (homeland
of the only nonyouma among NeoSerenity's Guardians) a society of anarchists
worse than anything even the asteroids ever produced that somehow manages to
stay viable as a nation. So Victoria could have grown up somewhere much
worse than Florida. But the NAUS was a bad enough influence. No wonder she's
so difficult. Brought up in such an environment is it any wonder poor
Victoria has so much to unlearn?
Unfortunately she hasn't been cooperating. She's made it clear that when
it comes to re-establishing the Venusian royal house she'll be making it
symbolic. Following some historical studies she's become rather taken with
way the British monarchy had evolved by the late twentieth century.
Particularly with regards to America's old neighbour Canada. Technically the
British monarch remained the head of state but in truth they were a mere
figurehead to rubberstamp parliamentary decisions. All governance was
performed by a two house parliament. She's thinking of something similar, a
royal household who's there as a symbol with a congress organized along NAUS
or Federation (!) lines to actually run the planet. It's been pointed out to
her that the British monarchy eventually fell apart in an orgy of scandals but
she laughs that off. According to her that's because people had high ideals
of how monarchs should behave. When they turned out to have feet of clay
people turned on them. She's going to make it clear right from the start to
the Venesian colonists that senshi are humans with powers not goddesses
descended from the heavens. If they're still dumb enough to venerate her then
they deserve to be disappointed. Just thinking about the mess that's
going to be gives me a stomachache. Glad the Venusian royalty is Artemis's
responsibility. He's in for some interesting times.
Vicky's the most extreme case yet it's worrying how many of them think
she's got a point. Even Sakuya, who hates to agree with Vicky about anything,
has pointed out many examples of heredity monarchs who squandered their
treasuries and provoked rebellion. Nothing upsets Sakuya as much as bad
financial planning. However she's all for becoming Queen of Jupiter though
I'm a little concerned by her motivations. She's already been cataloguing
potential Jouvian resources (lunar mining and extraction of various gases) and
how to best exploit them. I suppose a Queen must concern herself with
maintaining a healthy economy but they normally have ministers to handle that.
Doing it herself seems so ... vulgar.
[Problems. Y Nem & E Nem different families. Now Elder Nem's consort
restored to flesh & blood he can father children. Result? Two Nemesian
royal houses with equal claim on throne! Civil War? Have E. Nem adopt
Y Nem? Would either agree to that?]
[Day ?- Early in voyage]
I mentioned the absence of Puck on this voyage at the start of
my log. I was reminded of it again by a conversation I walked in on
earlier today. What had started it I don't know but I when the doors
to the bridge silently slid open I heard my Lady saying, "... was
surprised when you turned up without Puck. Still it made Apollo
happy, he's always convinced Puck's after Selene."
I am and with good reason. I well remember Puck chasing every
female he met and suspect he was more successful than I think.
Selene denies anything happened between them but her tail gave than
funny little twitch when she said it.
Captain Ferrite nodded, "He could be right, Puck's spent quite a
bit of time praising her feline charms." With hindsight I suspect
he'd noticed my entry and was jesting. Centuries spent in Puck's
company would have a corrupting effect on the stoutest of hearts. At
the time I just saw red. My Lady didn't calm me by saying, "He's
still got Aires to worry about."
Ferrite either took pity on me or chanced to say, "Aires isn't
any sort of potential rival. He's far too blunt and abrasive for
Selene to take an interest in. Puck's got charm and flair going for
him." Which is a gross exaggeration! Puck is nothing but an
egomaniacal practical joker!
Lady Neptune obviously shares my view because she gave snort of
disbelief. "I, for one, am glad he stayed on Earth. We've already
got Sakuya's infernal machine onboard. Last thing we need is another
troublemaker!" A sentiment I heartily agree with. At which point
Lady Uranus noticed me.
"Hello Apollo." From the tone her mind was clearly elsewhere as
she mulled over something. "Say Apollo, you mooncats must know each
other well ..." Far too well in some cases but she missed my wince.
"... do Puck's reasons for staying home make sense to you?"
I was startled to hear myself saying , "No my Lady, I have to
say that they don't." When it's just her or Jeanne I'll acede to
their wishes and call them by name but I stay extra formal when
there's an outsider like Ferrite present. Concerning Puck's
message that he was staying on Earth fearing the ship would fail
I must admit it was out of character. Being honest with myself I had
to admit for all his other faults Puck does not lack courage. Besides
he wants this mission to succeed more than any of us so he'd have
delayed us if he thought the trip too risky to attempt. The last
thing Puck wants is a disaster causing more delay.
Unlike us Puck didn't get suspended animation or reincarnation
to skip past the long years since the Fall. He waited 12,000 years
for the magic to come back and is still waiting for Earth's artifact
to reactivate. It was that thought which sparked my realization.
"The Great Portal! That's the real reason he's staying!" I had
everyone's attention. "If we succeed then the Great Portal starts
working again! Puck's been waiting millenia for that. I bet soon as
it restarts he'll set if for Uranus and walk though. Then ask us why
we came the long way round."
Ferrite nodded. "I've been thinking something similar 'cause
his explanation was obviously just made up to rattle Apollo." I
glowered and wished him ill for not mentioning that earlier. He
didn't notice and continued, "But trying to get a straight answer out
of Puck when he doesn't feel like it is impossible." Both Lady
Uranus and Lady Neptune sighed and shook their heads as they
remembered some of Puck's tall tales that they'd accepted as fact.
After all he lived through Silver Millenia so he should be an
authority, right? It was some time after they first met him before
they heeded my warning to take all his statement with a pinch of
salt.
"At least I hope that's why he stayed." Ferrite suddenly
sounded grave which got us all worried. Lady Neptune was the first to
ask, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well ... I've got nothing to base this on you understand?" We
all nodded. "But ever since we departed I've been having the nasty
feeling that when we reach Uranus [need figure] months from now the
first thing we'll hear as we enter the control center is Puck saying,
"So what kept you guys?"
He looked somber for a few moments more and both senshi got this
horrified look. Then he grinned and they both laughed. Lady Uranus
said she wouldn't be surprised either as it's exactly the sort of
thing he'd love to pull. From there the converstion shifted to other
matters and they forgot about Puck. Yet I can't.
Lady Uranus spoke truer than she knew. It is exactly the sort
of thing that Puck would love to pull. But it's impossible as
outside of Nemesis who has a ship that can reach Uranus? That
thought would comfort me a lot more if Puck wasn't living by the
Great Portal. It's supposed to be nonfunctional but he's had
centuries to study it. Who knows what he learned?
Selene has told me to stop being such an idiot and, if I have to
worry about something, to worry about our own voyage. We've got a
long way to go and we're a long way from help if anything goes wrong.
Curiously that thought failed to comfort me.
My stomach has started to ache. I think I may be getting an
ulcer.
[Later - Talk between Apollo and Vicky re Ferrite. Apollo advises don't let
your planet influence you. Vicky tells him he's an idiot and gives brief
lecture on sexual mores in Federation plus reminder despite appearances she's
near (over?) 40. Apollo wondering why everyone always thought Uranians were
unconventional.]
[Vicky watching Ferrite. Ferrite watching Hematite Vicky jealous Hematite.]
[Azurite & Ferrite - Tension re Guardian issue.]
Apollo's Log - Day 10
The ventilation ducts throughout this ship are a perfect size for a cat
to travel and I've been using them for taking shortcuts. By chance I've been
overhearing a few things of interest while doing so. Such as the fact I'm
no longer the only aware of Ferrite's interest in Hematite. About three hours
ago while enroute to the mess hall I heard Azurite and Lady Uranus talking
as they walked one of the corridors. As ships morale concerned me I followed
them from my overhead vantage point as far as I could. I am quoting the
relevant dialogue below.
A:"... seen him watching her when he thinks he's unobserved and it
bothers me."
LU:"Come on, that's just the 'Auntie' syndrome talking. You watch them
grow up so you start feeeling overprotective of them. We had the
same problem with the others. You have to learn when to let go."
A:"That's not what I mean, it's the way he's watching her that disturbs
me. He's hard to read but it's almost like she ... well, scares him
is too strong so let's say she worries him."
LU:"Worries him? What possible reason would he have to be concerned by
her?"
A:"No idea. Bad luck maybe? She is half Youma-half Nemesian and he's
got no love for either race."
LU:"I think you're over-reacting. Why not ask just him?"
A:"Hah! You ever try prying info out of him? If he doesn't want to
talk about something you won't get it out of him short of torture.
And even then you'd probably get disinformation. Stubborn bastard!
Since he's been watching her on the sly he'll deny everything."
LU:"Old Ironface can be a trial. As for his interest ... how old is he
anyway? This incarnation I mean."
A:"Fifty something, I think. Why?"
LU:"He looks about thirty ..."
A:"Around here people who look their age are a definite rarity."
LU:" That's a fact. But seriously maybe it's a touch
of Lolita complex. She's not out of her teens yet so maybe ..."
A:" No, doesn't fit. Ferrite's got no shortage of hangups
but that's not one of them."
LU:"So maybe it's love at first sight.
No, really. It happens without warning. Could be it's hit him and
he's drawn to her but at the same time he's repelled by her heritage.
So he's in something of a bind. Come to think of it didn't you
mention him getting involved with one of Venus's daughters? She'd
also be mixed species parentage."
A:"Yeah, back during the war. But I think he didn't find out who her
parents were until after they were lovers. I could be wrong though."
LU:"Funny he wouldn't know beforehand."
A:"I guess she didn't mention it. It all happened outside CT, she'd
been living in ... where was it? South America near that raillauncher
facility. Folks outside CT are a lot less accepting of that sort of
thing. I figure after she emigrated she quickly found out casually
saying something like, 'By the way my father wasn't human' tended to
kill romance."
LU:" Things didn't work out?
A:"Got tragic. Lot of war stories end that way."
LU:"Yes. Look it may all blow over. I suggest we
just stay out of it and see how things develop."
A:"Let's hope. But I think this is just the beginning. The gender
balance on this ship stinks. It was fine when it was just the
Youngers on the moonbase but adding Ferrite to the mix was bound to
give us a few problems. Especially if he's already been involved with
any of them on his earlier visits."
LU:"He hasn't! Far as I know anyway. Hell, would have
simplified things if they'd followed their Elders."
A:"Hah! They feud enough now. Would have been a nightmare to have them
all in love affairs. Competing, forming triangles, squares, and other
geometries. Breakups, tearful reconciliations, jealousy ... no not
something to wish for. The way you had things was fine. Still it
couldn't last. Even if it hadn't started breaking down soon as
Ferrite showed up my two charges would have upset the balance being
free to do what they liked in CT."
LU:"Thank you oh wizened sage. And how do you know it would've been like
that anyway? Or is there something you're not telling me?"
A:"No, just a generalized observation based on centuries of observing
people. Regardless of gender feelings seem to be fairly universal."
LU:"Oh I don't know. How do you know if you haven't tried it. After all these
centuries aren't the least bit curious?"
A:" Michiru's around here, right?"
LU:" What?"
A:"Haruka, the only time you come onto me is when she's nearby so you can
try and get her jealous."
LU:"That's ridiculous!"
LN:"I think she's got your number."
LU:"Nonsense! There's no jealousy in our relationship. We
trust each other absolutely."
A:"That's good to hear. Well this is where I leave you." See you around. Bye."
LN:" Hard to shock someone who grew up in the Dark Kingdom."
LU:" You ... You and her! ... I don't ... How could you!"
LN:" 'Ruka don't be a bigger fool than you have to be.
She was just making a point with her usual sledgehammer subtlety.
Azure's just a friend and you're my
one and only, I swear. Now stop with the puppydog eyes! If you
think I'm going to spend the rest of the day convincing you of that
... actually ... but no, we've got duties to worry about first."
LU:"Pity. Okay, getting serious what's up?"
LN:"If you look at the manifest I think we underestimated ... you
really were jealous at first, weren't you?"
LU:"Of course not! I saw through it right away! We both know she's
solid with Pyrite."
LN:"Uh huh."
LU:"What's 'uh huh' mean?"
LN:"It indicates a certain skepticism. But we can talk about that
later. Returning to the manifest while we don't have any shortages
and may not experience anyway I think as a precaution we should
ration ..."
At which point I continued on my own errand. It must be understood that
I happened on this conversation by accident and would not have continued to
listen had it not concerned the group dynamics aboard ship. We are isolated
out here and it is vital that we get along. Which is why I think we should
have left either Sakuya or Vicky back at the moonbase but I was overruled.
I keep having nightmares about them depressurizing the ship during one of
their quarrels.
[Later entries]
[Apollo musing. Ferrite & Vicky lovers? Others? Apollo being paternal but
denies it. Ferrite, 'not good enough'. Plays Peeping Tom but Ferrite has
sensors in air ducts. 'Accidentally' locked in air ducts by Ferrite for
prolonged period. Diatribe against terrestrial bastard.]
[Azure collapses - mana deprivation. Hem suggest draining from senshi.
Azure refuses, stubborn (too much like Margrave's lifestyle) but talked
around by H&M appealling to her pragmatism. Speculation re teleporting to
Earth & Spaceship. One way trip, no way to return to ship. Planets also in
constant motion but teleport uses planetary mana field for positioning?]
[The former Nemesian officers bar - Apollo fills in background details.]
Ferrite: So why are we here?
Azurite: Because it's tradition when there's problems between coworkers to
get together for a few drinks and try and sort them out. Besides
you got anything better to do when we're both offduty but all the
girls are working?
Ferrite: Not really. As you've found out space travel's pretty monotonous so
any break in routine is welcome. Any nonemergency break in routine
anyway. But I don't drink much anymore. I mean, what's the point?
Azurite: Guess you're not drinking the right stuff. Try this.
Azurite cracked open one of the bottles she'd brought and poured two
glasses of a clear liquid with a faint reddish tinge. Ferrite took his
looking at it somewhat dubiously but raised his glass when Azurite did.
"Skoal!" Both drained their glasses then looked as though they were being
poisoned. Azurite resumed breathing and managed to croak "Smooth!". Ferrite
stood frozen a few moments longer then started gasping for air. When he
could talk again he demanded, "What in hell was that?"
"Old Dark Kingdom brew, strong enough to effect the Renegade constitution
so it should do the job for a Guardian just fine. These days we just call it
"CT Hall" though the original Kingdom name was "Metallia's Tears". Or, less
formally and when you were sure you wouldn't be overheard, "Beryl's Piss".
Think of it as Dark Kingdom moonshine. Only thing that'll get folks like us
hammered."
"It tastes like paintstripper!"
Azurite nodded, "You have just hit on the one drawback. But after you've
had a couple you don't notice that anymore."
Ferrite just looked at her for a moment then took the bottle and poured
them another round. "Let's find out. By the way, CT Hall? Why name it
that?"
"You can't beat CT Hall!" Ferrite just looked at her. The abashed
Azurite mumbled, "Well we didn't want to keep the old names for obvious
reasons. We needed a new name so we had this contest while we were sampling
the first batch earthside. It seemed a lot funnier after a couple of
glasses."
With that they downed the refills and Ferrite muttered, "That was just
terrible instead of unspeakably godawful."
"See, what did I tell you?" With that the two of them downed a third
then started drinking at a more leisurely pace. Their initial conversation
was meaningless smalltalk so I haven't bothered to record it. But things did
begin to get interesting as the evening progressed. It all started when
Azurite asked Ferrite why he was looking so morose.
Azurite: I don't see why you're down. Hell, there's a lot of men who'd kill
to be here. You're the only man on a spaceship full of gorgeous
women an only a couple've us have posted "Keep off" signs.
Ferrite: Yeah, lotta guys would kill to be me. Unless they knew how goddamn
terrible my life is. Lemme tell ya dying's a helluva thing to
haveta keep doing. And I've got zero luck when it comes to women.
Azurite: Geez, you blind or something? Hell even if none of the others are
interested Venus's tongue is dragging on the floor everytime you
walk by.
Ferrite: I know. Wrong Venus though.
Azurite: Ah, comeon! You're not still pining after Miako ... Minako? An'
don look so surprised I already knew you were hungup on her. 'Cept the last time we talked about it was centuries ago.
I figured it was over with 'cause I never heard 'bout you making a
move on her. Just ferget it an find another girl.
Ferrite: Ah, you don't know what it's like being me. Everytime I meet someone
it's a disaster. An it's all that goddamn bitch Beryl's fault!
Azurite: Hah?
Ferrite: Yeah! She curzed me ta be alone forever way back when. An she got
her wish.
Azurite: Waid a sec. Beryl's responsible for screwing up yer whole life ...
lives.
Ferrite: Tha's right!
Azurite: Ah come'on! Maybe she managed it fer a whiule but she got toasted
along with Medallia back'n the twenieth. No way she's still cursing
you!
Ferrite: I know what I know. Sides maybe she ain't gone forever.
AZurite: Yeah, yeah. You ever think maybe the reason the curse outlived Beryl
was 'cause you been crying in your beer over for thousand years over
a women who chose another man. So maybe you been screwing yourself
up all thiss time. Or maybe you're jus the
unluckiest sonoafbidch ever born.
Ferrite: Yeah, unluckiest bastard of all time, that's me. King of the chumps.
Centuries of comin in second and just when thing're gedding
interesting I keep drobbing dead. Id's a rodden life. Lives. Hell,
you know whad I mean. Only woman I ever
loved don't know me, hell didn't even like me. An then I fall fer
her daughter an got her killed so she'll hate my guts ferever!
Azurite: Yeah, well, least you do something useful
round here. Me, whad've I done that's so great. Blue Haired One,
bullshit! I haven done a goddamn thing that anyone else couldn'a
done better. Some proceph ... procifised figure I turn out ta be.
All I am round here is excess baggage along for the road ... ride.
Thought I'd be doing something useful but I'm just dead weight. They
don need me. An my liddle girl's growin up without her mommy cause
I'm hanging round here fer nothing ...
At this point things became excessively maudlin so I've chosen to edit
out most of the following misery. The next interesting exchange took place
after their protracted and tedious bouts of self pity.
Ferrite: ... You ask me you're bedder of it turns there's nothin ta this
Blue Haired One stuff. Tak'it from me, destiny's a real bitch.
Azurite: Maybe so but I wanna do something ... sigfincant ..signic ...
something that means something 'steada just filling time.
Ferrite: You done a lot. We all have. All that stuff in the war. That was
important.
Azurite: Yeah, yeah you're right! We kicked their asses all the way back to
Nemesish! Led's drink ta victory.
Ferrite: Yeah!
Their spirits rose while they continued to down spirits. Hmm, that was
rather witty of me, I must tell that one to Selene. She thinks Puck's so
blasted amusing, the homewrecking furbag! Anyway with that they brightened up
and they got into that boozy comradery humans do so well. Admittedly Azurite
doesn't exactly qualify but the principle's the same.
Azurite: Hey, cn I ask you something?
Ferrite: Only if I can ask you somthin.
Azurite: Fair enough, old man. Heh, you godda be the only guy in the world I
call that ... say how old're you anyway? I mean actually
esxperianced ... lived through 'steada since you were born.
Ferrite: That's your question?
Azurtie: Naw, just curious. Wha was the question ... somethin important ..."
Ferrite: Hell, let's not count it 'cause I don know. Never added it all up.
Couple thousand years I guess. Lodda them in short bits. Usedta be
lot easier to die young, yknow. You name it, I've died from it.
You wanna know the grossest way to die?
Azurite: Naw, that's okay. Oh yeah, I remember the question ... one of them
anyway ... there was somethin else I wanted ta know but I can't ...
Ferrite: So what's the question you do remember?
Azurite: Oh right, right. Le'see ... why're you so down us since the Guardian
thing? S'not like we asked Serenity to give us the titles and it
sounds a lot bedder'n Sailor asdromicinal .. asdro ... Sailor Space
thingy. Sides we got the right typa names ta go with Guardian an
it's not like we got zero claim to it. We're all kids'a the last
Guardians and that guaridan stuff ran in royal families jus' like the
senshi bloodline, right? Hey, maybe that makes me a Princess of
somewhere.
Ferrite: Nah, Jadeite never married your mother right? So that make you
igligimitate. Sides all the old kingdoms are bits all over the
place.
Azurite: Yeah, pack'a bastards, that's us.
Ferrite: Ah, I don't hold it against you guys so much, its just that the
Moon Queen oversteps her bounds. The Guardians were from earth...
*of* Earth. They represented their people as much as their position.
Fer the Moon Queen to be handin' out Earth titles is just bad. I
know you guys were out there in the trenches with the rest of us...
s'just so undemocratic..."
Azurite: Well she'sa queen. She don't have ta be democratic ... but yer
right. She's been ruling Crystal Tokyo ferever. Ya kinda forget
she's not an Earth Queen. Maybe Eddy oughta be in charge.
Ferrite: Damn right! I's his planet an he's ledding her run the show.
Azurite: Hey that reminds me a something. Back in the old days they were
both gonna inherit their worls throne's right?
Ferrite: Yeah.
Azurite: So where were they gonna rule from? Whichever world they picked
would piss off the other's folks.
Ferrite: Earth! We all figured Serenity'd keep going ferever so Srena was
gonna take decades to inherit. Enmydion might die've old age for
that happened
Azurite: Oh yeah, immortals usedta be few an far between. Not like these
days. Another?
Ferrite: Sure. Hey you were wrong about somethin'.
Azurite: Been wrong abouta lodda things. What's it this time?
Ferrite: You said you imitation guardians're all kids'a the originals. 'Snot
true there's onea youse from the right world.
Azurite: Thas what you think. Like I said we're all children of
one of the Guardiansh, Chrysh is more like her ol' man than any of
ush.. *hic*
Ferrite: Wha'?
Azurite: *snicker* Big PR schkeme.. Chrysh ish a youma too.. ax like a human
tho.. *giggle*.. Sshe'sh like Nefffrite at his shtrain.. sht..
wierdesht.. Getsh all quiet.. thoughtful.. The Shtarsh Know Thish..
Teh Shtarsh Know That... oopsh.. Ah washn't shposhed to shay tha'..
Ferrite: S'right. I'll won't shay anything... Whoa... I think my brains'
trying to shay something.
The revelation concerning Christine Phobos was a shock to me. Had
Ferrite not been so deep in his cups he would have reacted the same. I am
beginning to wonder just how many offspring of our era's destroyers remain.
Especially in light of subsequent revelations which I will detail shortly. As
it is I can only speculate what Ferrite's common sense was trying to tell him
but I suspect it was something like this.
"You idiot! Phobos is Nephrite's daughter! Sober up! She just told you
that Phobos is a Youma! Youma! The Enemy!"
Ferrite: Ssober up? What fer?
Azurite: Whach want to ssober up for? We've still got losch...*waves
bottle around*
Ferrite: Thatss right. Losch and losch. It's medicinal or ssomethin...
Azurite: Have another. Yer really not gonna say anything 'bout Chrys?
Ferrite: Cross my heart and hope ta ... hope ta die permanent like.
Azurite: Ah, yer an alright guy, you know that? Just a bit too gloomy.
Shouldn get so worked up 'bout the guardian stuff, cause i's just a
title these days. That bonding ta the Earth stuff ... nobody knows
howta do that cept maybe you and you ain't talking ... maybe that
damn cat of yours knows how but he never gives ya a straight answer.
Real pain yaknow? I always have problems with godammned cats!
I was unaware of Azurite's anti feline prejudices as she'd always seemed
friendly enough to me and Selene. However this seemed to remind Ferrite of
something.
Ferrite: 'Kay, I get to ask you a question now. Lessee ...
Azurite: Refill?
Ferrite: Thanks. Oh yeah, I've got one. Howcome you hate Margrave so much?
Azurite: I don' hate her, jus dislike her.
Ferrite: Yeah, but you two've been feuding fer a real long time. Since the
Kingdom, right . So it musta been something major.
What started it?
Azurite: She had Calcite an I wanted him ... Shit, I can't believe I just said
that. Ah, what the hell, old news.
Ferrite: Wait a sec. You an Calcite? I thought ...
Azurite: I said wanted, not got an' I wus over him long time back ... back
when it wass still just plain Tokyo. 'Sides it worked out best I
didn get him. Well, maybe not to you but I wound
up with the right guy so I'm happy.
Ferrite: So ... so you've been fighting fer a thousand years over a guy you
gave up on way back at the start an you think I'm hung up?
Azurite: 'Snot like that. Cal's the trigger but it grew from there. See
back in the old days she was too stubborn to back off an I was too
ethical ta toss her off a cliff. She figured out I wouldn't waste
her without enough prokivation an godda lotta fun outta pushin me
almost ta the breaking point. When we got outta the Kingdom and
she found out I wus a regendae things got worse. She hadda lotta
fun making my life difficult. Miserable liddle bitch!
Ferrite: Sounds kinda petty to hold a grudge that long.
Azurite: She brings out the worsd in me. 'Sides she ain't gotten any bedder.
Say, how'd you know her? You onea her ...?
Ferrite: No! She just ... gave me a bidda help a while back, stuff I needed
to know. Still suprised you ain't tried to patch things up
after all this time. 'Snot enough youma left you can afford
divisions.
Azurite: Maybe once we coulda, hell a few centuries back I wus looking at
maybe having her as a daughter-in-law.
Ferrite: SAY WHAT!
Azurite: Sylvite's
not my first kid ... back in the twentyfifth I had a son. He was
beautiful baby and a handsome boy ... woulda been a real heartbreaker.
He wus getting older when Margrave started
sniffing around. She waz checking him out for a reason.
See, she's never seemed that interested in having kids. But she's
made it clear that if she ever does she ain't gonna compromise like
Cal & Ti and have human descendants
Any kids she has'll be pure youma but that needs a youma mate. My
son was the only available purebreed around so she was talking 'bout
snagging him when he grew up. Maybe even marrying him 'till she'd
got want she wanted.
Ferrite: So what happened?
Azurite: Adam ... went bad. Things got ugly.
Ferrite: Oh, wad' he do?
Azurite: Nowz my turn to play stone-face.
Ferrite: I never heard about this before.
Azurite: I had friends in high places who kept everything quiet. Margrave
healed and we avoided each other for quite a while. When we did see
each other ... she really hates people feeling sorry for her. Pity
drives her wild, Ti's the only one who could get away with feeling
sorry for her. So the feud ground to a halt. Then on one of my
birthdays an exploding cake arrived. When I wiped off the frosting I
found a card from her and it was on again. We went back to the way
things'd been before he was born as if nothing had happened. We
never talked 'bout it an' we're both a lot more comfortable with it
like this. It keeps things from getting too serious and distracts us
from remembering him ... I need another drink, crack the next
damn bottle!
Ferrite: Here. So ... remembered your other
question yet?
Azurite: Hah?
Ferrite: You were tryin to remember two questions afor you asked the guardian
one.
Azurite: Oh yeah, now what was it ...? Yeah, now I remember. Why are you
so interested in Hem-chan? All the time you're watchin her which
is normal enough 'cept you look edgy steada like a wolf. Which is
nutz cause she's bout the nicest of this motley crew. Second only to
Usagi-chan ... I mean the Princess. Only natural, I meant they're
both Crystal Tokyo girls an they're all so ... so goddamn nice. Not
that there's anything wrong with that ... grow up in utopia and what
else would you expect? Hell, Syl's turning out the same way and I
wouldn't want her havin a childhood like mine but ... but it can
make'em kinda unprepared for the outside world. They're too trusting
and people try to take advantage of 'em. 'Specially boys. There's
definitely times you need a harder edge 'steada being reasonable.
Ferrite: Can't argue with that. Wasn't there a question?
Azurite: Hmm, oh yeah. Why you spying on Hematite? She's kinda young for
you ... I know she's 18 but CT goodgirls take longer growing up than
outsiders. Probably hasn't done more'n kiss her boyfriend so if
you're planning to ...
Ferrite: 'Snot like that! Reason I'm watching her is 'causa who she looks
like. Just in case.
Azurite: She reminds youa someone?
Ferrite: Oh yeah, never ferget her.
Azurite: So who you think she looks like?
Ferrite: Beryl!
Azurite:
HAHAHAH ... Comeon! She don' look a thing like ol' spiny shoulders.
Not pale enough, no fangs, smiles at stuff that's not sadistic ...
Ferrite: I'm not kidding. But I'm not
talking what she turned into, I'm talking how she usedta look!
Azurite: You're not kidding are you? Really Beryl?
Ferrite: Dead ringer.
Azurite: Wow ... still that's just a coincidence, right? Nothing more to it.
Ferrite: Don't tell anyone ...
but I believe in reincarnation.
Azurite: Naw...
Ferrite: Oh yeah!
Azurite: ... uh ... No, no way. That's too crazy. Things like that don't
happen ... okay, things like that happen fairly regularly but that
doesn't mean it has happened ... Great, now you've got me worried.
So I guess Beryl useta be a looker by human standards
steada just Kingdom ones.
Ferrite: You're not kidding. I remember Eddy's comin of age party ... she
looked hot .. hell she nearly had'im without sorcery. 'Till I threw
up on her anyway.
Azurite: Couldn't hold your liquor then, huh. Well, you're doing allright
tonight.
Ferrite: Hey, it was deliberate. A cunning move by double o Ferrite!
Azurite: A triumf fer diplomacy I'm sure. 'The name's Ferrite, James
Ferrite.'
Ferrite: You've seen the Bond flicks?
Azurite: Yep, fun but the girls are always clueless. They'd fit right into
CT.
Ferrite: I'll drink to that ... and to The Man himself, Sean Connery.
Azurite: To originals, new version's never the same. Which is maybe just as
well.
Ferrite: You trying to tell me something?
Azurite: Yeah, ease up on Hematite. Look, long as she doesn't start
cackling and trying to summon demons there's no problem, right?
Ferrite: Well yeah but ...
Azurite: No "buts!". She's spotted you watching her and it bothers her. But
she's too nice to confront you so she's just hoping you'll give it
up. Or go watch Vicky instead.
Ferrite: Okay, I'll try not to spook her.
Azurite: That's good. I dunno, kids today. She should be
able to handle this herself. Hell, when I was her age if some guy
started stalking me I'da told him to quit or I'd rip out his eyes an
piss in the sockets.
Ferrite: What if he called your bluff?
Azurite: What bluff?
Ferrite: How could you do that?
Azurite: Hmm ... oh well you'd knock him down and put a boot on his throat.
Then ...
Ferrite: You're scary!
Azurite: It was a rough neighbourhood. `Sides you musta lived through
some pretty barbarous times yourself.
Ferrite: You're not kidding. I still remember what happened when the waiter
spilled the soup on ol Vlad Tepes.
Azurite: That name rings a ... oh yeah, I've heard of him. Must have been an
ugly thing to see.
Ferrite: Yeah, but it was a worse thing to feel. I was the waiter!
Azurite: Yuck! I think you need another drink. I know I do.
Ferrite: Great idea.
That ended the serious conversation for the evening. The following day
demenstrated a few differences between Guardians and Renegades. Azurite was
unfit for duty upon awakening but her healing factor had restored her to
normalacy by the time her watch came due. As I record this Ferrite still
hasn't left his cabin. Myuki's toxicology report indicates he'd be dead at
least three times over if he were human.
I've been keeping a close eye on Hematite today but she hasn't done
anything evil yet. It's probably just a coincidence but a little caution is
called for. I wonder if I can find an excuse to probe her mind?
[Ferrite & Azure talking (& drinking very high proof liquor) Guardianship-
It's just a goddamn title and at least we're all offspring of the last
Guardians (lets slip Chrys Phobos also youma?) "Venus wants you", "Yeah the
wrong one!", "Still haven't got over her?", "No, but it's even more hopeless.
She used to dislike me. Since Yui died she's hated me!" Old feelings, can
we escape the past? Ferrite, "Why do you hate Margrave anyway?" Status
Quo and easier than facing what Adamite did. Both A&M more comfortable with
way things stand. Re Hematite: "You're nuts, she doesn't look a thing like
Beryl!" "I'm talking SiM and she's a dead ringer!"]
[Overheard by Hem. Finally understands a few things that puzzled her about
Aunt Rhiannon]
[Later - Tensions building. Sakura & Vicky close to blows. Vicky telling
Hematite to keep away from Ferrite. Hematite says not interested but not
believed. Other senshi also interested/involved Ferrite. (which?)
Other conflicts. Arrival at shell. Problems forgotten as quest's end
nears and everyone gets busy. Fade out when mouth opens]
(
geocities.com/tokyo/temple) (
geocities.com/tokyo)