Aurora Eos Rose 5/05/01 http://heavensdawn.org auroraeosrose@heavensdawn.org Redemption: Part 1 Chapter 06 - The Dominoes Fall Nestor watched the spaceship land, his face impassive. Endymion hadn't contacted the moon. Jason, however, had not only informed Nestor of their impending arrival, but gave a complete summary of the Sailor Sol, Sailor Mars battle. Nestor's ears were still ringing over Endymion's poor behavior. Nestor kept his emotions hidden however. The disagreement between Jason and Endymion was not something anyone else wanted to be involved in, unless they had a death wish. Nestor concentrated instead on the vessel touching down at the space-port. The ship was a monstrosity; more cruise boat than useful vessel. Ten beautiful pleasure cabins, a host of rooms for exercise and amusement, and the added bonus of heavy armor, weapons, and a full complement of soldiers. Nestor sighed loudly. The ship was superfluous, but it had been home to Endymion for years. Nestor turned to the soldier beside him, and finished instructions for the out-fitting of a small ship. Now that Endymion had arrived, Nestor could finally head to Pluto. He was looking forward to the trip already. There was simply too much light this close to the sun, too much heat. Nestor preferred the cold of space, the gentle illumination of the stars. His attention turned to the group leaving the gigantic ship. Endymion was in the lead, carrying something in his arms. Nestor moved towards the prince. Nestor could see the bundle in Endymion's arms now. It was a girl, a beautiful girl, and she was fast asleep. Nestor resisted the urge to laugh. This had to be the slave that Chad had contacted them about. No wonder the Regent of Mars was so eager to keep the girl with him. Her dark head was nestled against Endymion's shoulder, her pale skin almost glowing against his black uniform. There was a loud bang and the girl jerked. Endymion lifted a hand to her face, smoothing away a loose strand of hair. Nestor shook his head and started indoors. He'd talk to Endymion after the girl had been put to bed. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Jupiter. Tory had dreamed of home for years. She hadn't stepped on the huge floating continents since she was seven, the day she had gone to live on the moon. Memories flooded back at the sight of the thick swirling clouds. Her mother trying to get her to wear a dress, climbing trees in the great forest outside the city walls, a little boy named Freddie who liked to yank on her pony-tail. The small shuttle held six people, Tory and five of the best-trained resistance soldiers. Somehow they needed to meet with the group here on Jupiter, and avoid the earth's army. But the first task was to manage an undetected landing. The pilot kept his face serious, his concentration totally on the task ahead. Two of the others kept their eyes on the screens, searching for evidence of enemy activity. The space around Jupiter seemed strangely empty. Tory felt uneasy. She preferred a straight battle to sneaking in the back. That's what they were doing now, flying in under the guise of a private company's employee shuttle. She ran a hand down the side of her jump-suit, absently fingering the patch sewn onto the knee. The thick clouds of Jupiter swarmed into view. The pilot's eyes were fixed on instruments. Tory squinted her eyes, but couldn't see beyond the swirling mass of gases. The small shuttle shimmied a bit, buffeted by the strong winds. Tory moved her hands to her lap, squeezing them together tightly. Her knuckles shone white against the dull brown jump-suit. A crackle of lightning split the clouds around them. Tory closed her eyes for a moment. The thunder quickly followed, rippling over the shuttle. The pilot spoke with the space-port at the capital city. Tory didn't pay attention to his words. Instead she turned her mind to the task ahead. Mounting an insurrection on a newly conquered planet, especially one that had a strong resistance movement, shouldn't be too difficult. At least that's what Tory hoped. She knew her limitations. She wasn't a strategist, or a diplomat, or even a strong leader. She plowed into things head first, and she was determined. Rita and the others of Project Freedom were counting on her. She lifted a hand to the cold window, absently watching the ice crystals form from her hot breath. "I won't fail you." *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Cassie held out a hand, motioning the others to close in behind her. The demolitions group filed into the room silently, setting charges against the foundation with quick, precise movements. Cassie nodded to the commander and she left the room. The trip upward from the palace foundations was relatively short. It felt strange to be sneaking around the old palace. She moved toward the throne room quickly. Now wasn't the time for reminiscing about childhood. She had a job to do. The halls were carved from the same red stone that made most buildings in Phobos Deimos. Cassie ducked around the corner to check her quarry. Nearly thirty guards clustered in the guards quarters, just down from the main hall and throne room. Cassie took a deep breath. "You can do this. There's only thirty. You can take that many." She only had to distract the guards until the charges were set and the demolitions team had a chance to escape. The pep talk didn't make her feel any better, but she had a job to do. She lifted an arm above her head. "Mars Planet Power." The transformation quickly overtook her, sweeping the warmth and energy through her body. Sailor Mars smiled and jumped around the corner. It had been a boring day for the guards stationed in the palace. Most considered the assignment only a step up from cleaning barracks. The officer in charge, a lieutenant on his first off-earth assignment, was sleeping. His boots were propped on the desk, his head thrown backward, and drool was spilling from his lips. The other men were playing card games, betting on dice, and polishing equipment that never really got any use. The voice took them by surprise. "You treat the people of Mars like chattel and spend your days eating the fruit of their labor while lounging like the pigs you are. I am Sailor Mars, and I will not allow this to continue." Mars almost died laughing at the corniness of her speech. Of course, the reaction from the soldiers didn't help matters. The lieutenant sat up so quickly that he upset his chair. The dice went tumbling across the floor. Most of the men simply stared. Mars shook her head. They acted as if they'd never seen a girl in a short skirt before. "You make this far too easy. Burning Mandala." The rings of fire shot across the room, and the soldiers finally reacted. The room dissolved into a mass of tangled bodies and singed flesh. Mars felt a smile of triumph cover her face. "Catch me if you can." The lieutenant started shouting orders, and Mars sprinted down the corridor. The soldiers were as bad at catching her as they had been at everything else. She stopped three of them in their tracks with Ofuda scrolls, a trick that she had been taught long ago by her grandfather. Of course, as Sailor Mars the little pieces of paper were much more powerful. Mars leaned against the wall, examining her white gloves, which still didn't have a speck of dust. She heard footsteps. She leaned around the corner, one finger ready. "Fire Soul." The soldiers screamed and went running in the opposite direction. Mars put her hands on her hips and sighed. "What were you thinking, Chad, leaving all these idiots to guard the palace." "There she is!" The enthusiastic shout had Mars turning around quickly. Her reaction was pure instinct. Two hands thrust out in front of her. "Hedge of Fire." A wall of flames sprung from her outstretched palms. Mars smiled smugly. This Sailor thing had more and more benefits. There was a faint rumbling through the stone structure. Mars glanced at the small device on her wrist. "Well, time's up." Mars quickly headed for the nearest window, flinging herself into a back alley and detransforming in the same instant. She raced down the narrow streets and ducked into a doorway just as the palace blew up in a terrific explosion. Rock and dust flew into the air, flinging debris in all directions. Cassie felt an unexpected tear drip down her face. Her home was now nothing but a pile of rubble. A sharp pain stabbed through her chest. "I'm sorry mama. But I do what needs to be done." She wiped the tears away, lifted her chin a bit higher, and rushed through the now crowded streets to her rendezvous point. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Endymion placed the girl gently on his bed. Her eyes fluttered a bit, but she still didn't wake. He brushed a few strands of black hair back from her face. She snuggled down into the covers and flopped over onto her stomach. Endymion chuckled a bit. She was adorable when sleeping. He hoped she would be as enjoyable when awake. He needed a bit of distraction from his duties. "Endymion." Nestor's voice broke through the silence. Endymion turned around sharply. He was about to reprimand Nestor, but stopped at the worried look on the other man's face. "We have trouble, Endymion." Nestor's tone of voice woke the sleeping leader in Endymion. "Get Athan, I'll meet you in the throne room." Nestor nodded and moved quietly into the hallway. Endymion sighed and turned back to the girl. "Duty calls, sweetheart." He pressed a kiss against her cheek, laughing at the way the girl wrinkled her nose. He reluctantly headed for the door to see what new problem had occurred. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Athan sat stiffly in the corner of the room, his eyes cold. Endymion and Nestor were also gathered there. Several screens on the far wall flickered to life. The first held the angry face of the Regent of Mars. "These resistance members are like rats, your excellency. They attack and then scurry away. We can't seem to capture them. Today they totally demolished the palace. The ring-leader seems to be this Sailor Mars. She has become a rallying cry for the people, and the ranks of resistance fighters are growing. I need trained reinforcements to stop this madness." Endymion ignored Chad's wild gestures and loud tone. The man was obviously not capable of handling a true enemy. Endymion shrugged and merely turned his attention to a second screen. The regent of Jupiter stood, his face even more worried. "The resistance is even stronger here on Jupiter. We hold the cities, but all the other areas of the planet are in complete anarchy. It's rumored the resistance movement has targeted this planet as a prime spot for total defeat of Earth's control." Nestor could hear the panic in the man's words. Zavier's voice echoed from another screen. "It's the rumored the center of the resistance is hiding within the core of one of the gas giants. However, they are very well informed about the strength and location of the Earth's operations. They do not have a force on the Earth, Moon, or Sun. The outer planets are too remote to have good information hubs. Venus is too concerned over their own difficulties to care much about the rest of the solar system, and we already know what form the resistance on Mars has taken. That leaves Mercury. The rebels have to be getting their information from there. If we cut off the source of their information, we can destroy the resistance." Endymion turned to the last screen. "Sailor Mars is mine. I'll retrieve her after I've finished my mission here." Jason's voice was hard. His eyes had turned the color of frost. Endymion nodded, then stood. "Very well. Zavier, you will take care of the spy ring on Mercury. Take your princess with you. The Mercurians won't try anything with her as a hostage. Jason will finish his mission on Neptune and then retrieve the unruly Sailor Mars by any means necessary." Endymion glared at Jason for a moment, letting the order sink in. "Athan, I'm sending you to Saturn to consolidate our presence their. Nestor, you are to head to Pluto. I'll remain here and continue to bring the planets under control. Chad, you are to recall your roaming troops. Find a new location for government operations and keep all soldiers inside city walls on continuous patrols until Jason arrives. Ken, I want every soldier on Jupiter smuggled into Io. Keep the movement quiet. The resistance will try to take the capitol first. Nestor and Zavier will come to assist you after their current missions are completed." The last two view-screens sprung to life. "Venus is deteriorating rapidly. We need the princess here soon, or this planet will fall into anarchy." Endymion nodded at Andrew's solemn face. "She'll be there shortly. Try to keep things together for a bit longer." "Your Majesty. The Earth is well in hand, production and morale are both high. We eagerly await your homecoming." Endymion smiled for a moment. "Thank you Artemis. You're all dismissed." The screens flickered off one by one. Athan nodded curtly and left the room. Endymion could sense the anger emanating from Athan, but didn't comment. Nestor laid a hand on Endymion's shoulder as they watched Athan move down the hall. "She haunts his soul. I don't know if he'll ever find peace." Endymion shrugged off Nestor's touch and glanced down at the ring on his finger. "I just pray the rest of you don't come to suffer his affliction." *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Aria stared out across the Sea of Serenity, her eyes dry and burning. A light wind moved across the water and through the open window. Her hair fluttered gently in the breeze. Her hands tightened on the edge of the railing, knuckles turning white. She stared down at the cliffs. The waves beat against the base in a never-ending cycle of blue and white. She leaned over the edge, letting the despair take over. It would be so easy to just let go, to throw herself into the waves and let them wash away the pain. She climbed onto the balcony edge, standing up slowly. She couldn't do this. She couldn't love and hate, spending nights in his arms and the days trying to kill him. She wasn't strong enough to face the sorrow, to survive the pain. They would never win against such overwhelming odds. It would be better to simply end, to wait for another chance. She spread her arms wide and shut her eyes tightly, letting the breeze sweep over her body. "I'm sorry, Serenity." "Aria!" Strong arms wrapped around her waist, ripping her off the railing and sweeping her tightly against a strong chest. She unconsciously wrapped her arms around her rescuer's neck. She could hear his heart pounding furiously underneath her ear. Athan held her close for several long moments, content to simply feel her body wrapped against him. He had never experienced such fear. His angel standing on the balcony rail, her arms outspread, her robe fluttering in the wind. He wasn't sure how he had reached her in time, nor did he care. She was safe now. The fear slowly faded, followed by a burst of white hot anger. "What the hell did you think you were doing." He pulled her away from him, shaking her roughly. Her eyes fluttered open. They glistened with unshed tears and a great deal of pain. Athan took a deep breath, the emotion present making his own soul ache in response. "Escaping, I was escaping." She lowered her head for a moment. When she lifted her eyes the emotions were hidden again, dropped behind a mask of anger. "That's what prisoners do, they escape." Her tone was mocking now. Athan felt his own temper rising in response. He grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. "You're not a prisoner, you're my wife." He pulled her roughly toward him, pressing his lips gently to hers. Aria fought her feelings, keeping her body and mouth stiff as a board. Athan pulled away, his eyes reflecting his surprise and hurt. Aria forced herself to remember who he was, what he was. Her lower lip trembled, but otherwise she kept her body in control, unresponsive to the man holding her tightly. "Let go of me." Her voice was cold. Athan's gaze swept over her stiff body. His eyes darkened, and his face hardened into a cynical mask. "I'll touch you whenever I want, wife. Whether you wish it or not. We leave in four hours for Saturn. I'll send a guard to keep you intact until the trip." He stood up and stalked out the door, slamming it roughly behind him. Aria collapsed on the bed, her bruised heart no longer able to keep the tears from flowing. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Diane stood stiffly outside the space vessel. Zavier had insisted on leaving Uranus immediately. She brushed a strand of dark hair back behind her ear. Her wedding day really hadn't been what she'd expected. Then again, she hadn't really thought she'd get married, ever. She'd always preferred her books to the company of males. The soldier standing beside her motioned with his rifle for her to follow. Diane briefly considered refusing, but knew she'd gain nothing from the conflict. She was thoroughly trapped now. The spider had wrapped her up tightly. A smile flicked over her features. A spider wasn't really an apt comparison for her new husband. Maybe a snake, or demon. The door to the ship lowered and Diane found herself moving inside the cavernous vessel. She kept her eyes straight ahead, her mind already taking in every detail. The ship had was of earth design. Bulky for atmospheric travel, but well-suited to transporting troops and supplies. This particular ship had enlarged windows in the upper portion of the quarters. The soldiers continued to follow her, one in front, one on each side, and four behind. The interior passages were fairly large. Diane noted that all the essential system components were stored under the metal grate walkways of the ship. She filed the information away for further use. A single door slid open and the soldier motioned for her to enter. Diane walked inside slowly. The door closed behind her with a metallic clang. Diane sat down on the bed, her mind full of what the next few hours might bring, as she listened to the ship prepare for takeoff. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Neptune was a mass of swirling green and blue. The colors clashed against each other, hypnotic and mesmerizing. Jason leaned back in his leather chair, oblivious to the small mechanical sounds filling the cabin. He was finally returning. The ship plunged into the thick atmosphere, churning like a porpoise through the icy clouds of methane and other gases. Jason felt a surge of excitement. He hadn't set foot on Neptune in years. Michiru had been on Uranus when the initial solar system attack had been initiated, so there had been no need for a stop at the outermost planet. Pluto was now just inside Neptune's orbit, the former's erratic plane leaving Neptune on the edge of the system, a blue-green jewel among the twinkling lights of the galaxy. The vessel sliced through the atmosphere, pushing towards the drifting sphere that was Triton. The floating globe came into view, it's watery covering swirling and blending with the clouds surrounding it. Jason closed his eyes, reaching for the strange sensation that seemed to hover in the back of his mind. She was there, a flame flickering in the dark, much smaller now then she had been on Mars, or Uranus. But she hadn't left. He could still feel her filling that once empty corner. The ship began to slow rapidly. Jason's eyes opened quickly, anxious to see what war had done to his capital. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Zavier entered the room slowly. Diane stood at the far end of the large cabin, one arm resting against the cool window. Her back was to the door. Zavier stopped for a moment and simply stared at the woman silhouetted against the stars. The pale blue gown she was wearing clung to her body. Her dark hair was slightly mussed, as if she'd been lying down for a while. He took several steps closer, reluctant to interrupt her solitude, and yet anxious to have her in his arms. "It's amazing to think of how far away all those stars are." Her voice sounded almost hollow. Zavier moved just behind her, ignoring the way she shied to the left to be farther from his reach. The two looked out at the gentle pin-pricks of light. "So far away that just a glance means a trip back in time." Diane turned around slowly. She looked up at the man hovering above her. Her blue eyes seemed a strange mixture of resignation and defeat. "I wish that it was as easy to map the life of a human as it is to map that of a star." She looked down at the floor for a moment, her eyes filling with tears. Then she abruptly turned back toward the window. "Then again, life wouldn't be worth living if you knew how every stage would end." Zavier lifted a hand, brushing a single finger over her cheek. A teardrop clung to the digit. "What's wrong, Dianara?" Zavier's voice was soft, as gentle as his touch had been. His eyes dropped to the woman's sagging shoulders. "I hate to lose. I never want to admit defeat, much less pay the consequences of failing to win." She traced a design against the window with the tip of one fingernail. Her voice was melancholy and angry at the same time. Zavier felt an odd twinge of remorse. He reached for Diane. She pulled away, facing him fully. "Don't you touch me." Trails from her tears still trickled down her face, but her voice was icy and firm. Zavier recoiled. Where his water lily had been a moment ago stood an ice maiden. His own features hardened in response. "Don't you ever use that tone of voice with me, bride." He took a step forward, his mouth compressed into a straight line. "I thought I was your wife." Diane backed up, bumping against the window. "You're only a bride until I bed you." He leaned forward, pinning her against the cool glass with his hips. His mouth swept down, covering Diane's in a searing kiss. She pushed frantically against him, trying to escape. Fear crept into her mind. His lips moved to the side of her throat, blazing a trail to the collar of her gown. A single hand wrapped around her neck, a thumb pressed tightly to her pulse. "Please...Please stop." Diane sobbed the words, her cheeks running with tears again. Zavier took a ragged breath and pulled away. He swore loudly at the terrified look on the girl's face. He ran a hand over her soft hair. "Oh gods, Dianara. I'm so sorry." He took her into his arms again, this time doing nothing more than holding her against his chest. He could feel her sobs. They shook her entire body. Zavier had never felt more like a monster. Diane's flood of tears slowed to a trickle, and finally stopped. She kept her face buried against Zavier's chest several long minutes, for the time content to be held. His heartbeat was steady, rhythmic and soothing against her ear. She longed for trust, for the ability to simply drift asleep, knowing someone would keep her safe. But reality returned, as always. Diane pulled away slowly, her features returning once more to icy seriousness. Zavier laid a finger against her lips before she could say a word. "Why do you hate me, ice maiden." His question was asked without sarcasm or accusation. Diane closed her eyes for a moment, her agile mind quickly compiling a list of crimes. "You've destroyed the Silver Millennium Kingdom, killed the Outer Senshi, murdered my mother, and forced me to marry you." Her voice got a bit louder with each accusation. Zavier's face turned a bit more red with each item. He took a deep breath, and then his eyes narrowed. He knew that anger wasn't the way to make this girl understand him. He had to appeal to logic. "Will you condemn me without a chance to explain my actions? Isn't even the worst criminal innocent until proven guilty?" Diane's mouth opened and closed several times. Her features softened into a look of concentration. "Very well." She moved to a chair in the corner and sat down, her hands folded demurely in her lap. "I witnessed your crimes. The prosecution rests. Would the defendant like to speak?" Zavier lifted a single eyebrow. Then he began to pace across the floor slowly, his brow furrowed, a hand occasionally running through his hair. "I'm not sure where to begin. I suppose the most accurate place would be on earth, on my fifth birthday." Zavier sat down on the bed, across from Diane. His features softened for a moment, and he looked very young. "I was raised in a remote region in the east. My mother died when I was young, and my father had disappeared, so my uncle raised me. I was a prince of earth, yet the title was nothing but a crumbled palace. On my fifth birthday she came. A woman rose from the river where I used to play. She was beautiful, but her face was cold, like ice. She took me in her arms." Zavier's voice cracked, his eyes filled with tears for a moment. "She took me to an old temple, strapped me to a stone slab. I would have been murdered in cold blood, had not a second woman appeared. The second one said her name was Sailor Uranus. She struck the woman in blue to the ground with a sword and took me away." Diane leaned forward, her eyes thoughtful. Zavier leaned back, his pale green gaze lingering on Diane for a moment. "That woman was Sailor Mercury." Diane jumped to her feet, a denial springing to her lips. Zavier stood as well, a single finger pointed at her chest. "You will listen, do not scream denials based on emotion. You're a scientist, use your head. I know it was Sailor Mercury, whether of her own free will or by the command of another is something I can't answer. But it was Sailor Mercury. The harp, the blue hair and eyes, the tiny little skirt." He yanked up a sleeve displaying a mark on his right arm, just below the shoulder. Diane gasped. She moved forward, tracing a finger over the symbol etched into flesh. The scar was old, slightly puckered, and white. The symbol of Mercury. Diane swallowed several times. She sat down, her expression tired, sad, and she listened. "Sailor Uranus took me to her planet, adopted me as her son, and took care of me for seven years. During those seven years there was war among the planets. The cause of the war remained cloaked behind official documents and posturing, but the senshi all knew the reason. The outers, although still bound by loyalty to the Silver Millennium, had been repulsed by the actions of the inner senshi. Uranus had always been a place of battle. I learned to use a sword, to fight and win in the arenas. Haruka was father and mother to me. When I turned twelve I was training in the great hall with the guards-men. The castle was attacked. I tried to fight them off, but one twelve year old boy was no match for trained warriors." Zavier sat down again, his eyes unfocusing. "They took me to Metallia, who was my next teacher. For the next seven years I learned about my heritage. The history of Earth, my position as Prince. The indignities suffered by Earth at the hands of the Silver Millennium Kingdom. The persecution on the planets, the dozens of exiles. And I met the others. Athan, Endymion, Nestor, Jason, the only friends I'd ever had, the only boys my age I'd ever spent time with. Each one had his strengths and weaknesses, but I knew one thing. I'd give my life for any of them, and they'd do the same for me." Zavier looked up again. "I was obsessed with the idea of taking back what had been stolen from me by the Silver Millennium Kingdom. My throne, my planet, my people, my independence, and my foster mother. I returned to Uranus to ask for the outer's help, but Haruka wouldn't speak to me. She called me a monster, attacked me. We fought, the five of us against Haruka and her lover. And we won. And I've never felt so betrayed." A shimmer of tears rose in Zavier's eyes. For a moment, Diane had the strangest urge to comfort him, but his head jerked up and the tears turned to fire. "At last we made the center of the Kingdom. I challenged Mercury to a duel. One against one, as adults. A luxury not given to me. I killed her. I cannot lie and say I didn't feel satisfaction at her death. She had tried to murder an innocent child. I merely dispensed justice. She saw the mark just before she died. She understood, and let me make the final blow." Diane's eyes were full of tears. Zavier reached forward, gently wiping her cheeks. "Dianara. When I killed her, I told myself that nothing could have stopped me from meting out that justice. But that's a lie. If I had known that she was your mother, I would have held my sword. Because I will never have my true vengeance after seeing the pain in your eyes." Diane swallowed back her tears, her eyes focusing on the face in front of her. "And why did you force the marriage?" Her voice wavered a bit on the last word. Zavier knelt down at her feet, taking her face between his hands. His voice felt like a caress. "From the moment I first saw you, standing in that palace of marble, I knew that you were the one for me, Dianara. When I dropped Mercury at Selene's feet, it was your face I saw, your reaction that shook me. I knew then that you would never forgive me. But I would have done anything to possess you even then, used any excuse. And then an excuse was handed to me. Endymion might have ordered the marriage, but I would have used any reason to keep you forever. Any reason to hold you in my arms. Something about you reaches into my very soul. Please, even if you can't forgive me, at least understand me." Diane lowered her head for a moment, her mind reeling from the amount of information thrown at her. Her heart cried for forgiveness, but her head had always been the ruler. She pulled away again, pressing hands to her throbbing temples. She moved away from Zavier, quietly comparing everything she'd ever been taught to the information that Zavier had given her. She had known about the atrocities committed on earth in the name of peace. She had known of her mother's unfailing devotion to Selene. A devotion that kept Sailor Mercury far from her home, and her only child. Diane rested her forehead against the cool window. "There are a few things I don't understand. Why were you so cold to me before the wedding? And if Haruka had raised you for so long, why did she react so negatively when you returned. And what reason could a Sailor Senshi, guardians of love and justice, have to murder innocent children?" Her voice remained calm through the questions. Zavier stood, his emotions shuttered once again. "Quite frankly, I just wanted to get married and get you off of Uranus as quickly as possible. I didn't feel I could keep you safe there, and I was terrified you'd escape before I could make you mine." Diane blushed over the heat in his words. "As for Haruka, after I was kidnaped, she assumed that Metallia had turned me into some sort of evil monster, and she was far too loyal to Selene to turn her back on the Kingdom. Her temper exploded when I asked her to turn against the Moon. As for the Senshi...that's something I never understood. Endymion is the only one who could answer that question. And the last time someone asked they ended up dead." Zavier stood up straight, his eyes focused on Diane's back. "Well, has the judge reached a verdict?" Dianara felt a thousand thoughts warring with one another. She didn't know who or what to believe, but she also knew that this man hadn't lied to her. Somewhere deep inside, the truth in his words had touched her. And she knew that symbol, had seen it carved in the hallways where she grew up. "Very well. I can forgive the death of the outers, I've seen Haruka's temper. She never did think before she acted, but her loyalty was unmatched. I can forgive the destruction of the Silver Millennium. You weren't seeking power so much as justice. I know of the things that can be done in the name of peace. I can forgive the hasty wedding, I've often been presented with something too tempting to resist." She felt a blush rising, but tamped the feelings down. "And if what you say is true, I understand why you killed my mother." Dianara turned around, her eyes brimming with tears. "But you do understand why I cannot forgive you that crime. Whether she deserved her fate or not, she was my mother, the only family I've ever known. And now I am the last of the royal line of Mercury." Zavier wrapped his arms around her. "All I ask for is understanding. Just trust me. Somehow I'll make you happy." He lowered his lips gently to Diane's and she melted against him, her arms wrapping around his neck. And the stars winked gently at the two entwined bodies. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Serenity blinked her eyes rapidly. The ceiling was reassuring, the same sight she'd woken to every morning of her life for the past seventeen years. She turned her head slowly. The same glowing white walls, the mid-day sun sweeping across the the white bed clothes. She lifted a hand to her head, surprised at how groggy and out of sorts she felt. "No more late nights with Aria. And no more chocolate ice cream before bed." She sat up slowly, her brain still refusing to function. She glanced down at her bare feet. Her eyes traveled up her slender legs. Her brow furrowed. "And why in the world am I wearing pink see through pants?" Her voice cracked on the last word. She stood quickly, rushing to the mirror above her vanity. Brilliant blue eyes stared back, framed by short black hair. Serenity handled the situation liked she handled every crisis. She cried, loudly. Endymion wasn't sure why he was prowling the hall outside his new "guest's" quarters. He had new soldiers to test, reports to read, and a gamut of politicians who longed to scrape and grovel at his feet. Instead he stood outside the pale oak door, his black boots leaving scuff marks against the white marble from his constant pacing. He ran a hand through his hair again, the dark strands falling back into their ever perfect arrangement. He couldn't understand the strange feelings he was experiencing. For once he didn't want to simply have another simpering slave who would obey his every command because of who he was. He wanted something more than a willing bed partner. He pressed a hand against his throbbing forehead. Maybe he was under too much pressure. He needed an escape, any escape. The noise almost made him fall over in surprise. It sounded like a cross between a fog horn and nails screeching across the blackboard. The door flew open with a violent crash, smashing against the wall. Endymion lunged into the room, sword drawn, eyes promising death, teeth bared in a feral growl. Sere's cries were silenced mid-note, the last vestiges of noise hanging for a moment in the air like dust motes in a shaft of sunshine. She dropped to the floor, her legs turning the consistency of jello on a hot day. Her mouth hung open in astonishment. Her eyes shimmered with tears, slightly blurring her vision. Endymion halted his sword in mid-swing. The fire drained from his eyes, replaced by bemusement. He took several steps forward, the anger and fear he had felt slowly receding into the back of his mind. The girl continued to sit, tears dripping down her face, her nose an interesting shade of red. He stretched a hand out. Serenity had never been so terrified in her life. The man who had burst into her room only moments before had looked like a demon. Now the same man was holding out his hand patiently, looking slightly annoyed, but the fire was gone from his eyes. "Are you going to sit there forever?" His voice startled Sere out of her stupor. She wiped tears from her eyes, looking up at the hand warily. A little voice in her head screamed that it wasn't fair. The monster also known as Prince Endymion looked even better in sunlight. His dark hair shone and his eyes were filled with a strange mix of exasperation and humor. Sere scooted back across the floor a little, thinking distance might help the pounding in her head. Endymion sighed loudly. The little minx was more skittish than a wild rabbit. She lowered her eyes to the sword strapped at his side and swallowed loudly. He almost laughed at her transparency. He took another step closer, and she moved farther backward, scuttling like a crab. Endymion finally lost control. He threw his head back and laughed. Serenity felt her fear dissolve into annoyance. She was lying at this man's feet, dressed in a little scrap of nothing and he was laughing at her. She finally gathered some courage and hauled herself back to her feet, surprised at how shaky her legs felt. She glared at Endymion, her eyes narrowing. "And what do you find so amusing?" Her voice was slightly tart. Endymion's laughter faded slowly, but the smile remained on his face. He aimed the smile in Sere's direction. Her breath caught in her throat. The expression was part tenderness, part humor, and changed the stern dictator into prince charming with just a hint of dimples. Serenity's still shaky legs chose that moment to stop functioning, and she started pitching towards the floor. Her eyes snapped shut and arms flew forward to halt her descent, but instead she found herself held tightly against a very solid chest. Her heart started pounding loudly, the sound echoing in her ears like war drums. Endymion had been looking for an excuse to hold the girl again. She had looked irresistible with her almost non-existent clothing rumpled and her hair floating around her head like a dark cloud. There were smudges under eyes too. Her nose was still red from crying, and she'd sniffle every once in a while. She didn't preen like his mistresses, or grovel like his slave girls. Her head tilted upward, blue eyes staring into his. Her gaze was startled, and so full of innocence he almost groaned. He closed his own eyes for a moment, ruthlessly killing the lurid fantasies that had been multiplying in his brain. His body proved harder to control than his brain, however. Serenity stared into Endymion's eyes for a long moment, watching the sapphire darken with a strange emotion. His eyelids fluttered shut, long dark lashes lying against his cheeks. He seemed very unguarded in that moment, his face calm. Sere studied his features for a moment, her examination finally ending. She reached upward, brushing a hand against his lower lip. His eyes snapped open quickly, the fire that had been absent blazing to life in his eyes. Serenity managed a muffled squeak before his lips descended over hers. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* The first shot took them all by surprise. It hit the rear of the vessel with an angry scream and sent the ship spinning. The pilot screamed orders while fighting with the crippled vessel. Tory was numb. She stared at the growing storm, fists clenched tightly. The others worked around her frantically, trying to repair damage and ready for a crash landing while more shots were fired from pursuing vessels. The ship continued to spiral out of control, heading through the increasingly rough winds of Jupiter. A dark patch began to grow beneath the vessel, rushing at the ship faster and faster. One of the crew members looked at Tory, his face white. And then they impacted. Tory woke slowly. Her seat was mainly intact, as was the side of the ship where she'd been sitting. She felt something hot and sticky dripping from the side of her head. She unbuckled herself quickly and checked for injuries. She had a large cut running from her temple to her jawline, and numerous smaller scrapes and bruises. Her left shoulder was on fire, but didn't feel broken, so she assumed it was dislocated. She stared at the rubble for a moment, a bit disoriented. The ship had shattered on impact into three large pieces. The front portion, with the pilot and co-pilot was missing. The left hand side of the ship was several yards away, lodged against three large trees. The right hand side was upright in the dirt. Tory moved back along the shattered right side, to where the second seat was located. The occupant was stabbed through the middle with a huge tree branch, her eyes glassed over. Tory resisted the urge to vomit and moved out of the ruined hulk. The ship had landed in the middle of a forest. Tory glanced at the sky, watching the lightning flash brightly. The huge trees had probably ripped the ship apart. The lightning was quickly followed by a rumbling crash of thunder, and the rain began. Tory moved across to the other part of the ship that she could see. It had been violently thrown against the tree trunks, twisting the metal into unrecognizable shapes. Tory moved forward slowly, working her way into the wreck. She kept her emotions under control, focusing only on her job. She had to find any survivors. Dwelling on those already dead wouldn't help anything. She found the first body pinned in the front portion of the wreck, the body almost sliced in half by a huge chunk of metal. The second body was hanging in a nest of wires, as though the innards of the ship had sought revenge against its occupants. Tory crawled from the wreckage, finally unable to keep her stomach from revolting against the sights she'd seen. She leaned against a giant oak, letting the rain wash over her for several minutes. The lightning crashed again, this time a little closer. Tory lifted her chin and headed north, hoping to find the front of the ship. The ground was slippery. Soon Tory was coated in mud. The huge oak canopies kept most vegetation from growing at ground level, except for moss and the occasional clearing. She kept pressing on, ignoring the mud and rain. A flash of lightning finally showed her the position of the last piece of wreckage. Tory moved forward, dreading what she would find. The cockpit area was on its side, half sunk in a pool of mud. Tory almost smiled when she realized it was relatively intact. She moved quickly now, slipping and sliding across the forest floor. The torn off back had come to rest against another huge tree trunk, so Tory had to climb up the slippery hull in order to open a door. She finally stuck her head inside, after about ten minutes of scrambling over wet metal. The interior was dark, and smelled like smoke. "Tory?" The voice echoed from out of the shadows. Tory almost cried with happiness. "Are you two all right?" She struggled to climb into the open hatch, but the door wouldn't open wide enough. "The traitor is dead, and I will be soon." The voice rasped the words, as if speaking through a pool of water. "Traitor?" Tory's voice hardened with the word. "Listen to me Tory. The co-pilot was bugged. She was sending our position to the enemy. They'll be here any minute. You have to get into the palace Tory, and whatever you do, don't let them find out who you are." There were several moments of silence. Tory heard a gurgling sound, and then a labored breath. "Tory, get into the palace any way you can. The resistance here will need information. They'll contact you. I'm sorry Tory." The voice faded slowly, leaving only labored breathing. Tory struggled once more to enter the cockpit, but a sound stopped her. Laser fire, from inside. And then the breathing stopped. Tory slid down the side of the cockpit in shock. She landed in the mud, but didn't move. The earth soldiers found her there, face white, eyes unseeing. The trip back to the city was long and filled with beatings, but Tory didn't respond. She simply stared. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Jason stared out the window at the flickering waters. Blue, green, and white swirling together in loops and waves. He laid one hand against the cool wall. The entire palace was built like this, water encased in clear sheets. It was like living in the ocean, or so Michiru had often said. Jason traced a gentle ripple with his index finger. Triton seemed so much the same. The water still moved through the walls, just as icy methane clouds circulated through the planet itself. He turned around and leaned back against the cool wall. There were ghosts here, the kind that lived only in memories. He could see himself running through these halls, driving Michiru crazy with his attempts to play an instrument, sneaking into the outer walls in a diving suit. The last incident had almost cost him his life. And Michiru, always there to pick him out of one scrape or another. Jason closed his eyes for a moment, letting the quietness, the peace of the palace sweep over him. He had put things off long enough. Now was the time to face his ghosts. He left the room with a quick stride. The trip through the palace was slow, with courtiers and politicians constantly stopping him. Neptune seemed to have transitioned well to new rule, with little or no resistance to the forces of earth. There weren't even any casualties during the takeover. Jason silently wished that the other planets were as level-headed and intelligent as Neptune. He had already started to see the changes the new rule had on the general populace. The hungry children who had once run in the streets were now cared for, the standard of living was beginning to rise, and the corruption so prevalent in the Silver Millennium Kingdom was being dealt with brutally, but efficiently. The Temple of the Sea was located in the heart of Triton. That meant literally in the center of the sphere that contained the city. The only way to enter was through the giant water tubes which circulated the sea throughout the city. Jason zipped the front of his wet-suit tightly and headed for the circular entrance of the nearest tunnel. He entered the water-lock and sealed the outside entrance before activating his air tank and letting the small room fill with water. Then the inner hatch opened and the current took him. The currents in the tunnels and walls could be gentle, or swift and merciless. Jason felt himself being moved quickly, almost too fast to see the water creatures beside him. He could feel the coolness of the sea through his wet-suit. The tangy salt seemed to seep into the artificial air he breathed. He closed his eyes for a moment. Michiru's hair always smelled of the sea. He pushed the memories aside and forced his eyes open again. Then he was being flung towards a pulsing sphere of light. A moment later, and his body pressed through. He felt like he was being torn apart, ripped into a million shreds of fish food. And then he hit the stone floor. The tank on his back was gone. He gasped for several moments, certain his lungs would flood with water, but only air entered. He forced his eyes open, letting out a gasp of astonishment. The Temple of the Sea was beautiful, even more than he remembered from the single trip he had made with Michiru long ago. The building seemed to float on a perfectly still pond of water. It rose to a towering height, dark blue stone covered in salt crystals and aquatic plants. Jason pulled himself upright, moaning over the new scratches and scrapes he managed to acquire during the trip. It was silent. The glassy surface of the water was unmarred by even the smallest ripple. The entire temple area was surrounded by a pulsing white shield of light. Jason forced one foot in front of the other, slowly, each footfall echoing in the still air. Then the music started. The melody sprang from the sea, gentle and violent at the same time, but the notes were played upon the strings of a violin. He resisted the urge to turn and run, knowing that instrument, remembering the only hand that could make wood sing like a siren. But he moved forward, for today he had to meet his past. Not even a ghost would keep him from his destiny. The door loomed in front of him. It was water, blue-green like the sea. A rippling wall of it reaching for the stone passageway it blocked. Jason took a deep breath even as the music swelled around him, and stepped inside. The water grasped at him, trying to force its way into his nostrils, his mouth, his eyes. It scratched at his skin with the roughness of salt and sand. And then he was through. He shook his head lightly, the water flying in all directions. And the music continued on, luring him into the dark interior of the temple. The corridors were broad with high ceilings and narrow windows. Light spilled over the stone in graceful arcs, rippling like waves. The music grew softer, more melancholy, like the weeping of a mother. And then Jason entered the inner sanctuary. She stood on a raised dais, violin raised in the last mournful strains of the tune. Her hair was a brilliant aquamarine. Even from his position, Jason could smell its salty tang, just as he could feel the power echoing from her song. The last note hummed in the air, a plantative and minor note. It hovered for a moment, and faded into the recesses of memory. "Michiru." She lowered the instrument, and it faded away as the song had only moments before. She turned towards him, the outline of her ghostly figure rippling with the movement. Her eyes were sad, shimmering with tears. "You've come back." Her voice was still the elegant, controlled sound he heard in his dreams. Jason nodded slowly, taking several steps toward her. "I knew you would return soon. My time here is at an end. But do you know the burden you will now bear?" Jason swallowed loudly. Michiru laughed. "Ah, for once my glib Jay has no flippant reply. I always knew that underneath that exterior was the heart of a warrior. A true warrior knows fear, Jason. But they take up the burden and face the shadows anyway. Remember that." She reached into the air, and a wand appeared in her hand. "I give this to you, Jason. My power, my office, my life. But remember that there is more, more you must discover on your own. I love you, Jay. May the sea be your guide." She threw the object onto the floor, and dissolved just as the violin had moments before. Jason moved forward slowly, his eyes on the elegant wand. He reached for the object, watching in fascination as it turned to a puddle of water. He reached forward slowly, resting his palm against the cool liquid. It suddenly surged upward, wrapping his hand like a cocoon. Then it dripped away slowly, leaving a blue-green ring on his middle finger. The symbol of neptune shone from the coral-like material. Jason smiled grimly. "And so it begins. Neptune Power." *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Cassandra looked out the narrow peephole, swearing in anger. "I can't believe they did that." Her grandfather patted her gently on the shoulder, but his eyes shared her anger. Cassie shook his reassuring gesture off, turning around and letting her anger fly. "Did you see what they did? They just blew a hole through the wall of the temple and took over! The Temple of Mars is sacred ground. What right do they have to trespass?" Cassie began marching back and forth in the narrow corridor, making her grandfather dangerously dizzy. "After all, Cassandra. You did blow up their headquarters." Cassie snorted loudly. "So they take mine, how fitting for the vultures they are." She returned to her lookout. "One of these days, grandfather, I'm going to take Chad into some deserted tunnel and fry his manhood right off. That'll teach the bastard." The old man simply chuckled. Cassandra felt the anger boiling inside her, like the magma trapped inside a volcano, wanting to burst free. And she knew that someday it would escape. And when that happened no earth soldier would survive. Her thoughts narrowed to the room she was currently spying on. Chad sat in the high priest's chair, his hands dancing over a skinny, under-dressed slave. Cassie let her rage simmer. That man would some day be dead. She closed her eyes, for a moment imagining his skin burning away, but the only image that came to mind was of another man, his body covered in burns, his arms wrapped tightly around her. The initial feeling hit her hard, like a giant wave sweeping over her body, dragging under the sea. She gasped for breath, but felt like there was nothing but saltwater in her lungs. And then the drowning sensation faded. But there was a presence there, in her mind. Something cold, wet, salty. "Jason." Somehow the name was part blasphemy, part astonishment, and part prayer. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Zavier pressed a gentle kiss against Diane's temple. He hadn't expected her to understand, hadn't even expected her to listen to him. But to have her forgiveness was more than he could have ever dreamed. From the moment he first saw her, he had known, somewhere inside, that this woman was the other half of his soul. She was ice maiden and water lily, emotion and logic in a gorgeous package. And now she was his. He hadn't expected to feel the surge of protectiveness and tenderness. But the lust, he was used to that. Her face had kept him awake at night. He held her slender body against him, reveling in the feel of her soft skin against his. And he thanked the gods for whoever had given her the wispy blue gown that was now falling off one white shoulder. "Zavier?" Her voice shook a little, whether with fear or some other emotion he couldn't tell. He loosened his hold on her, his green eyes radiating concern. "Dianara? Is something wrong." She smiled shyly and lowered her gaze. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I mean, intellectually I know the general procedure for a wedding night, but emotionally I don't know..." Zavier laid a single finger against her soft lips. "For once, tonight, don't think, just feel." He took a single finger and lifted her chin gently. Her face was crimson with embarrassment. Zavier resisted the urge to smile. "Whatever you like sweetheart, I'll like. Just tell me what feels good." "I don't know..." Her reply was lost beneath his questing mouth. Diane felt a lifetime of emotion in his kiss, and responded with every ounce she'd held back over the years. Zavier groaned loudly, wrapping his arms tightly against his bride, and deepened the kiss. He regretfully pulled away from her lips, which were now swollen and red. His mouth moved to the ivory column of her throat. She tilted her head backwards. Zavier's hands became more rough, his kisses more frantic. The way Diane completely melted beneath his touch was destroying years of control. The sexy noises she was making weren't helping either. He pulled away for a moment, yanking impatiently at the collar of his uniform. Two small hands brushed his away, efficiently unbuttoning the collar and pushing the jacket from his shoulders. Diane couldn't stop the blush from deepening on her face, but she continued undressing him. She helped remove his white undershirt, baring his bronzed chest. And then her hands swept over his chest like two butterflies, dancing over the muscles of his stomach. Zavier sucked in a deep breath, praying that she wouldn't stop. She lifted her blue eyes to meet his, the admiration apparent in their gaze. Then her head dropped again. She bit on her bottom lip and started to unfasten his trousers, only to have a hand stop her. "Much more of that sweetheart, and this will be over far too quickly." Zavier lifted shaking hands to the front of her dress. Diane giggled a bit, and moved her hands to the shoulders of the dress. "This dress...well..." Diane couldn't finish her sentence. Instead she pulled on the two ties and the entire piece of cloth fluttered to the floor. Zavier stared for a long moment. Then he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in the softness of her throat. "You're more beautiful than a goddess, Dianara." The words were husky. Diane sighed at the tone of his voice. Then she was being swept into his arms and carried towards the huge bed. Zavier laid her down gently, admiring the way starlight danced across her pale skin. He crept onto the bed beside her, and yanked her into his arms again, unwilling to let her from his grasp. She wrapped her arms around his neck, groaning when his hands began to move across her body, stroking her shyness away. Diane had never felt so out of control since the day Tory had stolen a bottle of wine from the kitchen and the five girls had polished off the bottle. She was free, flying among the stars, and yet she was safe. Her hands floated down over Zavier strong, slender frame. They buried themselves in his pale hair, sending the curls spilling over his broad shoulders. The curls brushed against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. But there was more to this than simply physical. It was as though two pieces of a puzzle were meeting for the first time. And just before Diane became a wife, she asked one last question. "Promise me something." Diane's voice cracked a bit on the words, her eyes locked with Zavier's for a long moment. "Promise me that no matter what happens, you'll always love me." He cradled her face between his hands. "Even when I knew you only as the enemy. Even when I knew you had outwitted me. Even when I saw your hatred of me, I couldn't help but love you. Should you drive a sword into my heart, Dianara, and my blood stain your hands, I would still love you. You are the other part of me." And then his body joined with hers. She heard his whispered question through the pain. "And do you love me, Diane?" She buried her face against his chest, her arms locked behind his back. "Enough to die for you." The two met in body, in soul, while the ship hurtled them onward through space, racing towards their destiny. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* "Throw her in the pens with the others." Tory was thrust, still muddy and exhausted, into a huge dusty cage, filled to the brim with humans. The stench was enough to make Tory gag. She longed to sit down and rest, but the area was so packed anyone who fell would be trampled. Tory felt her lungs closing. Then a narrow gate on the far end was flung open. Cries from the other end of the pen made her turn around in surprise. Several large men were herding the people out the narrow open, thrashing their whips into the crowd. Tory heard the sounds of women and children screaming in pain. And she had to help. She thrust her way through the mass of humanity towards the nearest slave driver. She threw herself at him, wrestling him to the ground. The man was twice her size, but old, slow, and overweight. Tory wrapped the whip around the man's throat and squeezed, until he stopped twitching. She stood, the whip in hand. She moved quickly toward the next slaver, the whip wrapping around his neck with a deadly hiss. Then a voice cut across the pen. "Hold it right there wench, or this little one is dead." A tall, slender man stood, a tiny child clasped in his arms. Tory's face turned white. She threw the whip to the ground, her features twisted into a snarl. She didn't feel the club against the base of her skull. The man smiled slowly. "She's very good. Send her to the stadium. They always need a new fighter. She'll be a very valuable asset." His laughter drown out the groans of the semi-conscious Tory as they drug her to a waiting wagon. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* AN: It's DONE. Until next time...I love cliffhangers, don't you? (Hey, at least I didn't leave Diane and Zavier and Tory hanging too...just wait on sere/endy) And there you go, an entire finished, new chapter. 7 is underway, be ye patient.