Character Sketches #1, Sailor Mercury - Part I, "Mizuno the Senshi"
Chapter 10: In which conflict is resolved, and a conflict is begun.

TOKYO (AP)-After a day of mourning, recovery efforts began in the Tokyo area, as the Japanese began the task of rebuilding the city, destroyed by a supernatural attack.

Plans have already been made for a new, planned city to be built over the site of the previous city, and the government, in an attempt to raise morale in the refugee camps, has begun a contest to give names to the new Tokyo. Currently, Neo-Tokyo is the leading vote getter, with Mega-Tokyo not far behind.

The government today also set about giving contracts for the rebuilding of the city. Many Japanese companies lost much of their capital and investments in the disaster, so the government has turned to foreign aid. Most notably, Acting Prime Minister Haruna, the surprise pick to replace the former PM, has awarded the primary recovery contract to a consortium of over two hundred colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. The consortium, funded mainly by private donations, narrowly edged out several multinational corporations, including rising financial star GENOM Corp.

The group, called the *N*orth Amer*i*can *P*artershi*p* for T*o*kyo Restoratio*n* (NIPPON), has already begun subcontracting recovery duties to other companies within a day of its winning the contract. It has reportedly expressed interest in hiring the heroic Sailor Scouts as security for the Reconstruction Zone, but this has been denied by NIPPON spokesmen.

"So, you're saying that the attack on Tokyo was only the first step, is that correct?"

"Yes," said an extremely weary Sailor Moon. They had been at this for two hours, while the press had grilled them on every single detail. It had been her fault, really. As they had teleported out, she had had the mental image of her old home in Juuban. Unfortunately, it was now the site of a UN command post, and they had been hustled into the camps rather quickly, the troops practically screaming out her presence. From there, it was rather simple, with the media howling for answers.

She personally thought that after saving the world for the fourth time, the least they were owed was some peace and quiet. But the press had been covering the gloom of Tokyo's destruction for days, and they were itching for new news on those photogenic teenagers.

Amazingly, Mercury had taken things the best of anyone else, despite not having detransformed since Hastings' first large scale attack. Which, thought Moon, had been a scant day ago. One day.

But Mercury showed no signs of exhaustion, even after facing Hastings, even after having to sacrifice her mother to give the others a chance. Sailor Venus had already collapsed from exhaustion once, and was now surviving the ordeal on coffee and willpower. Jupiter wasn't much better; even now she was beginning to doze off. Mars was still lucid because she couldn't bear to fall apart before Moon did, and Sailor Moon had to continue because she was going to have to run the town in a thousand years. She had to get used to being in the spotlight. But Mercury...what was she running on? Her home destroyed, her energy sapped, her mother dead at her own hands...she should have cracked a long time ago.

"How did you finally effect the defeat of this Hastings? Was it through normal weapons, or magic?"

Mercury answered. "It was a group effort, totally."

--going over the quadratic formula at the kitchen table--

"I...I used a kick to take Hastings by surprise, and then-"

--brain and bone flying in a thousand different directions--

"-the others used their attacks to hold him at bay."

--discussing the joys of helping people as a doctor--

"Once he was off guard, it was almost ridiculously easy."

--ice everywhere--

"But it was...was definitely the surprise that was...that was...the toughest part." I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry, she thought.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

Sailor Moon was crying openly. "Next question, please?"

"Um, do you have any plans, now that the present menace appears to have passed?"

"I guess that we'll be with all the others, trying to do what we can to rebuild the city. I've heard that school's canceled for a bit; too bad there aren't any arcades open..." The weak attempt at humor was just that; none of the senshi so much as smiled.

"I think we've finished here. I think we can manage another conference tomorrow night...," looking at the senshi, in various stages of collapse, "or more probably the next morning. Good day."

She proceeded to rouse the others, and they filed out in a considerably less jaunty mood then that first press conference, a scant week or so ago.

Mercury made her way to her tent. They had all been provided with private accommodations, in honor of their pivotal role in saving the world. Those senshi with parents had been reunited with them, and they all would sleep in the best the UN could provide at the moment.

She walked into what would be her new home for a few weeks. A comfortably furnished tent, similar to those a field commander would have. Mercury noticed two cots in a corner; authorities had been unable to find her mother, but they still expected her to show up. She stood in the middle of the tent for a moment, and then went to lay upon one of the cots, face up.

Sailor Mercury detransformed, letting her fuku be replaced by her favorite blue dress. The one she had put on that morning, when she had planned to reconcile herself with her mother.

Her mother.

At that thought, the tears she had held back flowed uncontrollably. They soaked into the sheet and stained it. They flowed across her face.

They flowed for a long time.

Amy Anderson
RC #439-3d
Tokyo Recovery Zone, Japan

Dear Ms. Anderson,

Your application, transcript, test scores, and recommendations have been thoroughly reviewed by the admissions committee. I am pleased to inform you that your application for the 19-- freshman class has been approved.

Johns Hopkins represents one of the nation's best and most prestigious colleges of medicine and the liberal arts. Your admission to the University is a significant honor. At Johns Hopkins, you will be provided with an extraordinary opportunity to learn in an academic environment that stresses quality teaching, small classes, up-to-date laboratory facilities and student participation in extracurricular activities.

I am also pleased to welcome you as an international student. Johns Hopkins has a history of attracting top students from across the globe, and we look forward to your enriching the cultural and ethnic diversity of the University.

Receiving this admittance letter does not obligate you to Johns Hopkins nor does it confirm or guarantee your enrollment into Johns Hopkins's freshman class. Only after we have received you nonrefundable deposit are you considered an official member of the class.

Again, congratulations on your admission to Johns Hopkins. If you have questions about any aspect of the University, let me know. I would be pleased to assist you.

Best wishes for continued success!

Regards,

[signature of the dean follows]

Well. That was fun.

Some parting words:

-I am not too familiar on the political system of Japan. I've done a bit of research on the topic, but I've undoubtedly glossed over some details (try understanding the US political scene from an encyclopedia). Mea culpa. Similarly, I've taken some liberties with Japanese geography. Hopefully, only a few people will be able to tell the difference.

-No, I've never been accepted to Johns Hopkins! I just took a generic acceptance letter from a lesser known school and changed a few things around. Rose Hulman, don't sue!

-I apologize for the dullness of the middle chapters, but I had to somehow bridge the great beginning (IMHO) with the terrific end (IMNSHO). I fear that this will be the case with the next part, which will be in the middleof the superior first and third parts.

-The first press conference scene was written before Mr. Sagan's passing. I kept his part in as a tribute: He may have been a bit excitable, but was one of the best speakers on the need for space exploration. He will be missed.

-On the next part: it will be entitled "Mizuno at Baltimore." In case you didn't know, Johns Hopkins is located there. Look for part two, oh, I don't know, maybe in February. Definitely before March. I intend for the entire series to be complete before AP testing in early May (joy, I get to shell out $280 US to take the bloody hardest tests in existence!).

-No, my infatuation with Ami has no part in my placing part two a half-hour's drive away! I chose JHU because I'm familiar with it. I could say the same about the other top med schools in the country. Although I would gladly give my left arm to go to an Orioles game with her...but that's another fanfic! And anyway, I'm tired of fanfics where the senshi go to some Left Coast city. Why don't they ever come here? Too wet?

-Here's where I beg: what do you think? The news articles: do they stay or go? Any suggestions for parts 2 and 3? I begin writing them mid-January.

-This is dedicated to Sophocles. He's been dead for a few thousand years, but much of the credit for this is due to him. He had the original concept, after all (and if you haven't figured this series out yet, I weep for you.)