Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

Onboard the Earth's flagship, the Stellar Bugbear, Lt. Colonel Jam Kuradoberi is pacing worriedly, expecting the arrival of her direct commander, General Kunzite.

"The Armageddon is hailing us," a voice sounds to Jam's left. "The General is ready to return."

"About frigging time!" she says, exasperated.

With a sweep of her hand, she barks out commands to the crew. "Prepare the docking bay for the Generals arrival. See that you give him a warm welcome. And make sure to give him all the paperwork he's missed."

"I bet he loves you, too," someone mutters from behind Jam's back.

Insubordinate crewmate, meet Jam's foot.

"I heard that," she remarks, unecessarily.

"You broke by dose!" the crewman stammers in shock, clamping down on his nose with both arms to stop the blood flow. "Daddy bill hear bout dis!"

As he runs off the bridge in tears, Jam finally realizes it was Friedrich August von Merude, aka The Guy On The Bridge Who Does Nothing Because He Is Connected.

"The general hasn't returned yet. Deckhand Dilbert! Dock Mr. Friedrichs pay by 50%, and remove his access from all comm systems," orders Jam. "If he's lucky, I won't give him a position in the engine room as a greasemonkey.

You, you, and you. You're coming with me to greet the general," she says, picking out three other crewmen who aren't doing anything. "Let's go!"

With that, she strides off the bridge towards the docking bay..

Jam and her escort arrives at the docking bay just in time to see Kunzite's shuttle land securely.

Soon thereafter, the general himself exits the shuttle, nodding at Jam in acknowledgement. "Have you received our new orders?" he asks, approaching her.

"No," replies Jam, flatly. "The only interesting thing that happened while you were gone that there was a malfunction somewhere in Deck 5, causing each and every source of hot water in the ship to malfunction. The engineers *better* have gotten it fixed."

Kunzite snorts. "If only all our problems were such. Walk with me," he tells Jam, dismissing the other crewmen with a glance and a curt nod in their direction. As Jam falls into step, he says, "Somehow, the general public has received knowledge of the peace talks. Princess Min-- von Magellan has received an urgent message from Luna at roughly the same time King Azusa contacted me, which is yet further proof that this was a deliberate leek by someone seeking to sabotage our efforts." He frowns. "So they're stepping up the schedule. We'll have to prevent any ship except the Prince's from leaving the atmosphere. The MDBG Serenity will prevent any vessels from crossing over into our own space, in the meanwhile." Kunzite pauses, glancing at Jam to see her reaction.

Jam pauses. "That presents a problem. It can't be a coincidence.. either a single entity, capable of travelling on and off the Earth, or perhaps a conspiracy, with agents acting on both sides?"

"I'm much more inclined to believe the latter," Kunzite says, nodding. "Now, let us get to the bridge. I'll reposition the fleet, while I would like you to be on stand by. We must be ready to contact MDBG Serenity as soon as the Prince's ship leaves the surface."

"Of course. How did the meetings with the Princess of Venus go?" asks Jam. "Did you lay on the charm? Have we a solid alliance with one planet, at least?"  A mischevious glint twinkles in her eye, her previous irritation forgotten.. "Either way, I'll take care of it. You get some rest and some food.

Oh! Remind me to tell you to tell me all about Lunar cusine when I see you again!" she exclaims. "I can't wait!"

With that, she bounces off with a jaunty salute..

Several hours later, Endymion's cruiser is spotted in the atmosphere, and Jam immediately commands an open channel to MDBG Serenity. Shortly afterwards, she gets a direct line to Princess Minako herself, who takes the call.

"Ah, Princess Minako, this is Lt. Col. Kuradoberi of the Stellar Bugbear. Endymions shuttle is now leaving the atmosphere, in sector 334215, we're just getting confirmation from you," says Jam, sucking it up with the cute look.

Princess Minako finished checking her make-up in the mirror when she heard the little beep that signified communication lines had been open.  She turned towards the viewer, a smile on her face and spoke.  

"As agreed, Princess Minako is here to do her part in forming a peaceful and loving solar system!"  She enthused.  "We'll do our part in making sure no ships enter earth's atmosphere from space until we have an open and loving relationship with Earth and its people!"

Did she even hear what I said? What a ditz.

"Uh, right, Princess. Anyway, be advised, Prince Endymions ship is approaching and is now maintaing a course in sector 334262," she replies. "I'm sure the delegation will be a great success."

Yes.. a success... Little lights dance in Jam's head, including a newspaper headline;

"Youngest General Ever, and also a woman!"

"Oh?  That's the prince," she says softly.   "I wanted to blow something up," the thouights come unbidden to her mind.

"Is there anything else we should be aware of?  I'd hate to blow something up I wasn't supposed to?"  She looks depressed as she speaks.

"Oh!" she adds, "did your general make it back okay?"

"General Kunzite made it back fine," says Jam. What could happen, anyway?

"And yeah, feel free to blow anything else up.. but remember, you're supposed to be watching what comes in, and we're watching what goes out."

"Blow up stuff that comes in... check.  You blow up stuff that goes out," she says softly, mostly to herself.  "Sounds good to me."

"If there's nothing else, we'll get to it!" she says loudly.  "Minako, out!"

"Bugbear, out," says Jam, ordering a deckhand to close comms with a wave of her hand.

"God, don't the Lunies put anyone intelligent in command?" she mutters under her breath. "I can smell a ditz a mile away.."

To most everyone's secret relief, no ships attempt to run through the quarantined zone in the hours it takes Endymion's cruiser to reach Lunar orbit. Several more hours pass in relative quiet, its only high point being the departure of MDBG Serenity towards the Moon.

Roughly a day after Endymion's ship left Earth's atmosphere, Jam receives a coded message for Kunzite from the Earth's Royal Palace.

Jam pulls her commlink and dials 'P' for 'Person Responsible for Pay': "General Kunzite? We've recieved a message for you.. you'd better come to the bridge," she says into it.

"Alright," Jam hears, and then she feels a presence suddenly appearing behind her.

"What's the situation?" Kunzite asks, the visual aftereffects of a teleport fading out rapidly.

"You have GOT to teach me how to do that- oh, uh, it's a coded message from the Royal Palace," she replies. "Looks important, do you want me to patch it to somewhere more private?"

"Let's borrow the Bugbear's ready room," Kunzite replies, and walks towards a small door to the back of the bridge. "Are you coming?" he asks with a smile, glancing at Jam over his shoulder.

"Of course!" says Jam. "Deckhand Dilbert, patch the Generals message through," she orders, before following Kunzite out..

Meanwhile....

"We are approaching Lunar orbit, Ma'am," the MDBG Serenity's captain informed Princess Minako, who asked to be present on the bridge for that occasion.

Princess Minako looks up from the book she is reading concerning the history of earth.  "Good.  I'll be there shortly."


She quickly checks her make-up before heading swiftly towards the bridge.  Once on it, she looks at the view screen and says, "Status, Captain."

"We've received clearance to land on just about every runway, except for the VIP one." Henry frowns. "Lunar Control was being evasive on the reason for that, Ma'am."

Minako deflates slightly.  "Do you have a visual of the VIP runway?" she asks calmly.

"Not from orbit, Ma'am," he responds, but nonetheless brings up an image from the Moon's surface. Minako sees a few lines glow on the shown section, presumably each representing a runway.

"Inform the tower that unless they give us a good reason, we're landing on the VIP runway.  It's so much nicer than those others, and I've here because to help them out.  They owe me this curtosy at least!"  She places her foot down firmly looking directly at Henry.

Frowning, Henry relays the princess's words to the tower. A few moments later, he gets a reply. "They're saying, 'No means no'," he tells Minako, wincing inwardly.

"Meanies.  I'll remeber this," she says to herself.

"Fine, pick the next nicest  runway and let's land."

The spaceship lands on runway fifty-nine, and as Minako disembarks with Artemis, she finds what seems to be a welcome party of marines and three girls, one of them barely a teenager.

Minako ignores the Marines and looks the girls over critically.  "Princess Minako reporting," she says in a crisp clear voice.

"Oh wow!" a chestnut-haired girl exclaims. "Another one! Nice to meet you," she continues, curtsying. "I'm Makoto de la Joviana!"

At Minako's side, Artemis drops into a feline bow. "Princess Serenity!" he exclaims.

Failing to process Artemis' blurted words right away, Minako asks cutely. "Another Minako?  There are more of me?"

Eiko looks at her strangely. "Not that I know of."

Minako turns to the girl who answered.  "Good."  

She smiles and asks, "And you are?"

"I'm Eiko, Mako-chan's special friend!" she replies, smiling.

Off to the side, Serenity is frowning at being ignored.

"Everyone should have at least one special friend.  I'm so happy for the both of you," she says brightly as a wide smile crosses her face.

She turns to the last of the girls, deducing that this must be the "Serenity" that her old tom cat blurted out about.

She gives a small curtsy.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess."

Serenity pushes past Minako and onto the ship, mumbling something which might've been 'pleasure'. The marines follow her, with Eiko and Makoto coming up behind them, the latter offering Minako an apologetic glance. "We're in a bit of a hurry," she says, disappearing inside the spaceship.

Minako turns to Artemis.  "Why am I here and dealing with these women?  The General was so much nicer."

"You could always ignore Queen Serenity's request and go home, Mina," he responds, putting an emphasis on the word 'request'.

"Mother would be so dissapointed, not to mention father."  She mentions morosely while she lowers her head.  "I really do need to become independend of them some day.    So where to now?"

"We really should go and meet the Queen," Artemis replies, jumping into Minako's arms. "She wouldn't have recalled us if it weren't important."

Minako gently strokes the advisor and heads towards the Queen.

Minako follows Artemis's directions, and quckly finds the way to the throne room. A pair of guards stand there, barring access to anyone who would try to enter.

Minako stops.  "Formalities," she thinks to herself as she puts her advisor down and rears up as regally as possible.

"Princess Minako reporting to Queen Serenity as ordered," she announces to the guards.

Upon hearing Minako's greeting and spotting Artemis, the guards salute and open the doors. A young woman can be seen standing next to a window and glancing outside from where Minako is at.

At being admitted, she buries the worry she had about that, and walks into the room.  

Careful to keep a respectful difference, she clears her throat, hoping to draw the attention of the other woman.

"Welcome to Luna, Minako-chan!" Serenity greets her, as the princess comes up to her. "I'm glad we finally get a chance to meet face to face."

Minako smiles, relief flooding her at the unexpectily nice greeting.  "I am as well, your Majesty."

She curtseys, letting the years of practice take over.  "I am here for you to command," she says deferentially.

Serenity (21:44:33): "Command?" Serenity giggles. "You are here to defend our way of life, Minako-chan! I would like to see you as a friend!"
Minako (21:48:49): Minako smiles, feeling a lot more at ease then she has been of late.  "I would like that as well, Your Majesty."
Serenity (21:54:17): Serenity nods. "Unfortunately," she says, her earlier cheer fading slightly, "before we could devote ourselves completely to training, a minor issue of the Earth needs to be resolved."
Serenity (21:54:25): Glancing at Minako with curiosity, she asks, "What is your impression of the Earthlings?"
Minako (21:57:13): 'Issue,' Minako thinks to herself.  Memories of her discussion with the General and the very short conversation with the much too prissy preservative named person flitted through her mind.
Minako (21:57:54): "They're very similar to us," she finally responds.  "Well, they seem normal I mean.  Dreams, ambitions."
Serenity (21:59:05): "It seems the rumors have been wrong," Serenity muses. "But if that is true, then the reality is much more frightening."
Minako (22:01:18): "Rumors?  Like what, My Queen," she asks.
Serenity (22:02:11): Serenity waves her hand in irritation. "Eating babies, being dirty... backwards people...."
Minako (22:03:16): "Oh," Minako says, stricken.  "I can't believe they'd do that.  I can't believe anyone would do that."
Serenity (22:03:14): "The rumors are false, yes. Then, it would seem that there is something about Earth, which could turn even the most cultured, decent human beings into blood-thirsty animals."
Serenity (22:03:17): Serenity shakes her head. "I can't say I like that thought."
Minako (22:04:21): Eyes widening in shock, Minako stammers, "You... you... you mean there are instances when Earthlings have been found to have eaten babies?"
Serenity (22:05:19): Serenity sighs. "No. That's a rumor. I think."
Minako (22:06:41): "Phew," Minako thinks as she visibly slumps and places a hand to her forehead.  "The General only seems to want peace, and the freedom to travel.   I think they should be given a chance."
Serenity (22:09:32): "I wish I were doing this out of altruism," Serenity says with another sigh. "We really don't need to worry about Earth, so I might as well do something stupid like breaking all of my ancestors' taboos."
Minako (00:11:44): Minako looks chagrinned as she bowed her head, realizing, perhaps how impetuous her statement was.  "Is breaking a taboo that we don't  believe in more harmful than a war? "
Serenity (00:18:51): "I believe in my ancestors," Serenity says finally, after pondering Minako's words carefully. "I believe in this Kingdom, which was formed by their efforts. And they must have had every reason for how they treated Earth. If I begin to doubt them on Earth, do I doubt them on other things as well?"
Minako (00:20:23): "Maybe things have changed..." she says impulsively before pausing in thought.  "I don't really know.  I just don't want to be mean.  I know that sounds silly."
Serenity (00:21:13): "You're right, of course." Serenity shrugs. "Keeping the taboo, as we see it, is more harmful than the alternative. Thus, it must be what gives."
Minako (00:31:22): Minako releases a breathe she didn't know she was holding.  "Your Majesty is most remarkable, " she says, trying to add a little flattery that Artemis has been drilling into her.
Serenity (00:33:59): Serenity snorts in a most unladylike manner. "If you say so."
Minako (00:36:11): A short giggle escapes the Princess' lips.  "You're not at all like I expected."
Serenity (00:37:28): "Expectations are the mother of all screw ups," she says, as if reciting something. "My mother used to say that a lot when I was little. I think. I _was_ little, after all...."
Minako (00:40:52): "I guess...  I've never heard that saying before.  But if you expect nothing, how can you prepare for anything?"
Serenity (00:42:53): "I never actually thought of that. I guess I just decide everything as it happens."
Minako (00:46:38): "Oh," the blonde says softly.  "So what can I do to help?"  She found this conversation with the Queen -- while it was much easier than she had originally thought  -- to be a bit disconcerting in it's informality and wanted to know when the shoe would kick her, so to speak.
Serenity (00:47:34): "You could--" Serenity is interrupted by a knock on the doors of the throne room.
Minako (00:48:53): Minako turns to the sound.

Meanwhile, as Beryl is double-checking what she dubbed Earth's wishlist, a message comes to her from her other superiors. All it has is a single item -- a request for the Moon Kingdom to authorize Earth setting up an alternate energy sources research laboratory on a planetoid outside of Pluto's orbit.

Filing both sets of orders away in her head Beryl contemplates her current situation, awaiting the summons for the peace-talks to begin. Instead of the flamboyant clothes she has worn so far on the moon, today she wears a simple green ankle-length skirt and white blouse.

She takes the a few moments to strengthen her resolve to not sell the kingdom.

“Go time.”

A pair of guards arrive to take Beryl for her first round of negotiations with the Queen just as she finishes going over her orders. The trip to the throne room is uneventful, and soon she is standing outside its doors, one of the guards knocking on them.

Serenity (00:59:55): "Enter!" Serenity says, straightening up as the guard outside opens the doors at her command.
Minako (01:00:37): Minako stands up ramrod straight and wonders who might be entering.
Beryl (01:01:52): Beryl enters with all the presence she can muster.
Serenity (01:02:24): "How nice to see you again, Miss Beryl!" Serenity exclaims. "Your Prince must still be ill?"
Serenity (01:18:02): "I wish he would've let our healers take a look at him," Serenity says sorrowfully. "But your crew had been most adamant about not letting anyone in."
Beryl (01:22:31): "We appreciate your concern, but orders are orders are orders."
Beryl (01:24:24): "All the same, it does allow me to enjoy your company again, Queen Serenity." Beryl bows.
Serenity (01:24:37): "Of course," Serenity allows. "Ah, where are my manners? Minako von Magellan," she says, turning towards the blonde, "this is Miss Beryl of the Earth delegation."
Minako (01:26:24): Minako performs an elegant curtsy.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Beryl."
Beryl (01:26:49): ''A pleasure,'' Beryl says confidently, sizing up the princess. She returns the curtsy with a bow.
Beryl (01:27:28): "You will be joining the Talks as well, yes?"
Minako (01:28:46): "If that is the will of My Queen, I can only hope to add some small insight to such momentous proceeding." Minako felt a headache from uttering such a long sentence.
Serenity (01:29:14): "She will be," Serenity confirms, "as the preliminary representative and the crown princesses of the second most influential royal house of the Moon Kingdom."
Beryl (01:30:14): Beryl takes a longer moment to ponder the girl, before nodding.
Beryl (01:30:58): "I certainly hope this venture will be profitable for all parties involved."
Beryl (01:31:21): 'Especially mine,' she thought to herself.
Minako (01:31:28): Minako smiles brightly at the kind words of her Queen.  "I think things can only improve when people meet and discuss things together."
Serenity (01:35:21): "I wanted to have this chat, just between us. Minako's arrival was unexpected, but welcome," Serenity says, looking at Beryl. "What are Earth's intentions?"
Beryl (01:37:11): "Earth's intentions?" Beryl asks, surprised at how blunt the question was asked.
Beryl (01:37:50): She had been expecting the normal runaround and half-truths associated with dealings between high powers.
Beryl (01:39:49): "Earth's intentions? Well let's see. We'd certainly enjoy a release of the ban on trade with the rest of the system for one."
Serenity (01:40:55): "Not a sweeping removal of it, I hope," Serenity says with a touch of worry showing on her face. "There are illegal substances to consider...."
Beryl (01:42:18): "From the Earth of the rest of the solar system?" Beryl inquires, wondering what they might fear trading with Earth.
Beryl (01:42:57): 'Probably Lunar weaponry,' she thinks. 'I suppose I can't blame her there.'
Serenity (01:47:34): "In both directions," Serenity replies, declining to elaborate.
Beryl (01:49:31): "There are a few other odds and ends, but we really just wish to be left out no longer. There is a great big universe out there and we, as of now, aren't a part of it."
Serenity (01:50:11): Serenity nods. "What else?"
Beryl (01:52:28): "What else? What does any kingdom want. Expansion. Prosperity. Safety."
Serenity (01:55:29): "You are safe," Serenity says. "At least from the outside. Prosperity would come from economic ties. Expansion...." She frowns. "Expansion doesn't sit well with me."
Beryl (01:57:17): Beryl raises a delacate eyebrow. "Surely the universe outside this solar system has room for us?"
Serenity (01:58:43): "Earth should stay inside the solar system for its own good." Serenity laughs suddenly. "Goodness, it sounded like a threat."
Beryl (02:02:05): Beryl simply nods slightly, neither laughing nor getting angry. "Perhaps it is so, but that is the will of Earth. I am simply a voice." Beryl gives the queen time to calm her humor. "And the Silver Millenium, what is it you expect to get out of this?"
Serenity (02:04:10): "We'll get to that in a moment," Serenity says, frowning once more. "We are not alone in the universe. By expanding beyond the scope of the solar system, Earth would bring to itself the attention of beings we wish to have no dealings with." She pauses. "Like I said, Earth will be the one to alert them to its presence, but to get to it, they would have to go through _my_ outer colonies."
Beryl (02:08:34): "Perhaps," Beryl says placatingly. It seemed she'd hit a nerve. "But the Universe is a big place. There will always be some bad when exploring potential good. You've taken a chance by meeting with us, people who, by all accounts, eat children," Beryl jokes.
Beryl (02:08:59): "Can you fault us if we give the Universe that chance as well?"
Serenity (02:10:00): "Maybe I was wrong," Serenity says simply. She then shakes her head. "That doesn't matter. We will talk about Earth's dreams of expansion later. You asked about our aspirations?"
Beryl (02:10:59): "If you would be so kind?"
Serenity (02:11:40): Serenity nods, and walks over to an open window. "We simply want quiet."
Beryl (02:12:39): "Quiet, Queen? I'm afraid I don't quite get your meaning."
Serenity (02:15:11): "Though it is rarely seen that way," Serenity speaks, "the Earth Kingdom is in a state of war with the Moon Kingdom. I want that to stop."
Beryl (02:16:37): "Ah, the stand off. There are more than a few back home who feel the same way."
Beryl (02:17:19): 'And more than a few that would sooner stick a dagger in you than look at you,' Beryl did not say.
Serenity (02:18:27): "Our Kingdom wishes to concentrate on other things, and having an enemy so near to the capital stands in the way of that. Even if it is an enemy in name only."
Beryl (02:19:43): "Hm. Some would say you have an ideal situation as it stands rather than the quiet you long for."
Beryl (02:20:22): Beryl approaches the window as well slowly, with audible footfalls.
Serenity (02:22:27): "Perhaps. But I'm tired of having to keep the main chunk of my fleet in my back yard."
Beryl (02:23:59): Beryl allows the silence to last a bit. 'Odd. Very odd indeed. One might even think....'
Serenity (02:26:01): "Besides, my daughter has quite a high opinion of your countrymen, Miss Beryl," Serenity adds suddenly. "Though still young, I trust her judgement in this case over that of some of my advisors."
Beryl (02:27:09): "They say the young see with open eyes. At least they do in Atlantis."
Serenity (02:27:57): Serenity tilts her head slightly. "A curious saying."
Beryl (02:31:05): "It simply means that the young have not yet become set on their ways or jaded to the world." Beryl shrugs, an unlady-like display in some circles. "I've found it to be true in many cases."
Serenity (02:31:49): "Perhaps I am too old," Serenity muses, glancing back at Minako with a smile.
Beryl (02:33:43): "With age comes wisdom. A saying so ancient none recall what relic land it originates from. The Universe balances out in the end."
Serenity (02:35:22): Serenity snorts. "I might have been wrong about you, Miss Beryl. Alright! I've decided!" She nods to herself. "You will be Minako's counterpart during negotiations."
[02:37] <Beryl> "Counterpart, Queen?"
[02:39] <Corwin> "The Crown Princess of Venus will head the diplomatic corps," Serenity responds. "Just like Genkai will deal with the military part. I will be overseeing both, though I won't get actively involved."
[02:41] <Beryl> "Ah, I see. From your praise of her I have no doubt this mission will proceed swimmingly," Beryl says lowly, just enough to carry to the Queen.
[02:45] <Corwin> "I will let you two get acquainted once we're done here," Serenity says. "There is no need to feel any pressure. The formal negotiations won't start till tomorrow, though there will be a ball this evening. I believe you've already been informed about it."
[02:46] <Beryl> "Yes, I'm looking forward to it."
[02:46] <Beryl> 'I wonder if Lunar parties are as wild as Earth parties?' Beryl wonders.
[02:47] <Corwin> "Alright. I'll leave you two here, then," Serenity tells Beryl. Turning away, she waves at Minako, and walks outside.
[8:20pm] <Minako> When the Queen leaves the room, Minako turns to Beryl and asks, "Is expansion really so vital to the Earth's prosperity?"
[8:20pm] <Beryl> "Many would see it that way. Personally, I would like to see what the universe holds for myself."
[8:21pm] <Minako> "Isn't there a difference between travel and expansion? "
[8:25pm] <Beryl> "One generally bleeds into the other. And while I am content to simply travel, many at home are not. Power, jealousy, honest curiosity, a better life, the ability to have a place of your own," Beryl says, ticking off fingers at point raised. "The reasons haven't changed since before men learned to walk."
[8:28pm] <Minako> Minako purses her lips. While she feels disappointment that her point wasn't completely conceded, she understands that Beryl is right: The same uniqueness that makes people individuals leaves them with shortcomings.
[8:29pm] <Minako> "I believe the queen when she mentions the dangers with trying to reach outsides one's own comfort zone. I hope she is just overcautious, though I fear she isn't."
[8:29pm] <Minako> "What are Earth parties like?" she asks suddenly.
[8:30pm] <Beryl> "Sadly, it won't matter in the end." Beryl looks out through the window, her gaze cast across the lunarscape.
[8:30pm] <Beryl> "Hm? Earth parties?" Beryl perks up.
[8:31pm] <Minako> "Serenity mentioned a reception this evening. I was wondering what one would expect were you hosting?" Minako has decided that that was enough talk of important matters for one day.
[8:32pm] <Beryl> "Ah, well, that all depends on where and who is throwing it," Beryl says, letting the previous line of thought slip away.
[8:33pm] <Beryl> "Now we Atlantians can throw a party. Trust me on this, you haven't partied unto you've..." Beryl pauses suddenly, recalling that this is a diplomat she is talking to.
[8:34pm] <Beryl> "Um, let's just say they're something special." A grin is plastered on her face.
[8:36pm] <Minako> Minako looks riveted until Beryl pauses. "Special..." she muses as her eyes close slowly imagining scenes of revelry and merry-making. "I wonder what this reception will be like. My parents functions are generally pretty boring, I'm sorry to say."
[8:36pm] <Minako> "Maybe later you can tell me some details of what makes your parties, 'special'?"
[8:38pm] <Beryl> "Oh, there's a lot that makes Atlantian parties special, but they aren't the only ones. 'Festival of the Devil' in west-southern hemisphere comes to mind."
[8:41pm] <Beryl> "Thirteen days of parades, costumes, food, drink, beads, beads, and more beads!"
[8:41pm] <Minako> Mentioning of 'Devil' makes Minako involuntarily think of eating babies. She suppresses a shudder before smiling. "I do hope we get a chance to speak tonight. I think it important we get a chance to relax together before the seriousness of our talks. I know Serenity wants to see a happy end to this situation, as do I."
[8:50pm] <Beryl> "As do we all, I hope."
[8:51pm] <Minako> Princess Minako realizes what was said earlier, and starts to imagine Beryl in all kinds of bizarre costumes, one of Beryl dressed as bunny seems to persistently present itself, eliciting a small giggle from the blonde.
[8:52pm] <Beryl> Beryl blinks. "Something amusing, princess?"
[8:52pm] <Minako> Calming down, she switches subjects again, "Does everyone have to dress up?"
[8:53pm] <Beryl> "Sure. It's traditional. People have dressing up for it since way back when."
[8:54pm] <Minako> "If agreements can be reached, I'd like to attend sometime. Do you think you could help me find a costume?"
[8:56pm] <Beryl> "If you can't find a costume for the Festival then you must be blind, broke, and really out of luck," Beryl chuckles. "They sell all manner of outfits on every street corner. Even the street urchins have masks at least."
[8:56pm] <Beryl> "I'd like to take you some time. There's a lot of history behind that one."
[8:57pm] <Minako> Minako smiles brightly, thinking of dressing up and blending in to a mass of people.
[8:57pm] <Minako> "That sounds wonderful. I will hold you to it. I need to go prepare for this evening, but we must continue this talk."
[8:58pm] <Beryl> Beryl nods. "Yes, I suppose we should prepare. Oh, but I never asked what the parties up here are like?"
[9:01pm] <Minako> Minako purses her lips. "They tend to be formal and boring. At least the ones my parents throw. Though, I have heard of wilder affairs among the other nobles. Lunar parties aren't discussed, and I have never before attended one... So I'll be as surprised as you will be." Minako curtsies, before adding, "If there's nothing else, I'll ask the Queen if we can sit close to each other..." she pauses briefly, "If that isn't to presumptuous?"
[9:03pm] <Beryl> "No, not at all. I'd like to hear about Venus, myself." Beryl bows again. "Then until this evening, princess."
[9:05pm] <Minako> Her smile brightening even more, Minako departs and heads towards her room.
[9:05pm] <Beryl> Beryl departs as well, a jovial tune on her lips.

[20:21] <Corwin> ---------
[20:23] <Corwin> After a refreshing nap, Rei wakes up half an hour before the ball is to start. On the adjacent bed, Ami is sleeping soundly, tired from the battle earlier and the revelations which followed.
[20:26] <Rei-chan> Recalling that Ami doesn't really like ball's, and the fairly hard day the young girl has had, Rei decides to let Ami sleep. Looking through her clothes, the Martian Princess settles on a shimmering red ballgown, and quickly gets dressed and applies her makeup and jewellery before leaving the room.
[20:27] <Corwin> As the elevator's doors open at ground level, Rei finds an escort of four guards waiting for her.
[20:28] * Rei-chan nods slightly to the guards, allowing them to lead her onwards.
[20:30] <Corwin> The four bow, and one of them, the apparent leader, addressed the princess. "Where is Princess Ami Hermesia, Highness?"
[20:31] <Rei-chan> "Princess Ami is feeling slightly unwell, and will not be present this evening, I'm afraid," Rei tells the guard.
[20:33] <Corwin> "Most unfortunate." He bows once more. "Please follow me then, Princess." He begins leading Rei in a direction she hadn't been to before, the other three guards following.
[20:34] * Rei-chan follows gracefully.
[20:34] <Corwin> ---------
[20:35] <Corwin> Beryl has just gotten off the videophone, after a lengthy chat with her superiors, when she notices it's almost time for the ball.
[20:37] <Beryl> "Oh, right. The ball. Hm, what to wear...."
[20:38] <Beryl> Deciding to forgo the little red number for a more festive occasion, Beryl slips into a simple, snug white dress with an intricate lily design across the left upper portion.
[20:38] <Beryl> After checking herself in the mirror she nods and heads out the door.
[20:40] <Corwin> An escort of two guards is waiting for her, both of them the same as earlier. They smile at her, bowing. "Shall we be on our way, Milady?" one of them asks.
[20:44] <Corwin> Beryl recalls that the guard who had spoken, a blond male appearing in his early twenties, is called Gren. His chubby, dark-haired companion never gave her his name, though she heard Gren call him 'Gor' once.
[20:45] <Beryl> "Certainly, Gren," Beryl says, smiling at the blonde kindly. "We wouldn't want to keep the others waiting," Beryl says, taking his arm. She nods to other guard as well.
[20:48] <Corwin> 'Gor' nods in return, and lets his friend lead Beryl to a distant ballroom, falling back behind the two.
[20:48] <Corwin> ---------
[20:49] <Corwin> "Aren't you ready yet, Mina?" Artemis asks the blonde princess through a bathroom door. "We don't have much time."
[20:50] <PrincessMinako> Minako checks her reflection in the mirror, smiling brightly at the masterful job she's done. "Almost ready, Arte!"
[20:51] <PrincessMinako> "One last minor adjustment," she says to herself. Her hands move deftly, fixing the last of her mascara.
[20:51] <PrincessMinako> "Coming!" she yells as she walks out of the bathroom.
[20:52] <Corwin> Artemis is waiting for her on the floor. As Minako exits, he looks up at her, and sighs. "What were you doing there for two hours, anyway?"
[20:53] <PrincessMinako> She smiles brightly, "A woman never knows when she needs to look her best. So I _always_ look my best!"
[20:53] <PrincessMinako> "Are you ready kitty?"
[20:55] <Corwin> Artemis looks distinctly hurt when she asks that. "Of course! I'm always ready!"
[20:56] <PrincessMinako> Minako chuckles to herself, happy to see that she can still ruffle his fur. With that thought, she bends down and scratches him before walking past towards the door. "Let's get going then!"
[20:58] <Corwin> As the two leave the quarters assigned to Minako for her stay on the Moon, an escort of Lunar Guards awaits them. Artemis acts like a normal cat, giving them an innocent glance.
[20:59] <PrincessMinako> Minako pauses at the sight of them. "Will one of you wonderful men show me where I'm supposed to go," she says sweetly.
[21:00] <Corwin> "Of course, Highness!" The two salute. "Please, follow us to the Tranquility Ballroom."
[21:01] <PrincessMinako> "What gentlemen you are," she says happily, her gloved hand extending for one of them to take it.
[21:03] <Corwin> The guard to her left takes it, his slightly slower companion shooting him a glare.
[21:03] <Corwin> "Allow me, Highness," the guard holding her hand says.
[21:04] <PrincessMinako> Minako ignores the other guard while giving the courteous one a polite nod of the head. "Shall we?" She smiles to the man, ready for him to lead her to the Tranquility Ballroom.
[21:06] <Corwin> ---------
[21:59] <Corwin> As Rei enters the Tranquility Ballroom, the first thing she sees is a huge banner welcoming 'Serenity's Friends From Earth' hanging overhead. Balloons of all colors and glowing miniatures of stars are floating in the room, some of them low enough that one could reach up and touch them. Despite a myriad of guests, she can still easily spot Queen Serenity, who chose to wear her simple white gown.
[22:02] <Rei-chan> Leaving her guards behind, Rei makes her way over to Queen Serenity and curtseys once she has the monarch's attention. "Good evening, your Majesty," she greets her politely.
[22:03] <Corwin> "Welcome, Rei-chan!" Serenity greets her warmly. "I'm so glad you could make it!" Looking around, she asks, "And where's your friend Ami-chan?"
[22:05] <Rei-chan> "It's my pleasure to be here," Rei replies in an equally warm tone, seeing Serenity isn't in one of her 'serious' moods. "Unfortunately, Princess Ami wasn't feeling too well. It has been a trying day for her, and she didn't feel up to any social events. She did ask me to pass on her apologies for not attending," she explains, deciding to try and talk Ami up a bit, lest the Queen find any reason to be upset with the poor little girl....
[22:07] <Corwin> The Queen frowns slightly. "I guess I shouldn't jump to conclusions... she certainly doesn't seem evil, so she wouldn't be planning some nasty prank while pretending to be sick...." Serenity shakes her head. "Nevermind all that. Oh, there's Minako-chan!" She turns towards Rei. "You haven't met yet, right?"
[22:09] <Rei-chan> "Princess Minako of Venus? I thought she was still aboard the 'My Dear Baby Girl Serenity'..." Rei says, looking in the direction the Queen was when she noticed Minako.
[22:11] <PrincessMinako> Minako leaves her escorts, thanking them pleasantly and enters the ballroom. Looking around she spots her Queen. Being the extra polite person she is, she walks up to the women talking and waits to be recognized.
[22:13] <Corwin> "Minako-chan, this is Rei-chan. Rei-chan, this is Minako-chan!" Serenity smiles.
[22:14] <PrincessMinako> Minako nods her head respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
[22:14] * Rei-chan smiles indulgently at the Queen before curtseying to her fellow Princess. "It's very nice to meet you, Princess Minako."
[22:16] <Corwin> Beryl arrives to the ballroom, the large pink banner welcoming Earthlings being nigh-impossible to ignore.
[22:16] <Rei-chan> "So, will you be staying with us on the Moon, now?" Rei asks Minako, "I heard the 'My Dear Baby Girl Serenity' departed for Jupiter earlier today."
[22:18] <Beryl> 'So... pink,' Beryl thinks, looking at the abom-- banner.
[22:19] <PrincessMinako> "I believe I will be here at least through the negotiations. After that, I don't know what my life will be like," Minako responds.
[22:20] * Beryl shakes her head slightly, glancing around at the rather tacky decor. It reminded her of highschool for some odd reason. 'Good call on the dress.'
[22:20] <Corwin> "Oh, I think you'll certainly be staying with us afterwards," the Queen interjects, still smiling. "Unless Artemis didn't fill you in on all the details, Minako-chan?"
[22:20] <Corwin> Artemis shivers in Minako's arms.
[22:21] * Beryl looks for the Queen.
[22:22] <Corwin> The Queen is easily found, as she seems to almost glow in her pristine dress.
[22:22] <PrincessMinako> "Darn," Minako thinks to herself, "I should listen to the silly cat more often." Looking innocently at the Queen, she says, "I was just being cautions, My Queen, trying _not_ to have too many expectations."
[22:23] * Beryl makes her way over to Serenity, taking Gren along with her.
[22:23] <Rei-chan> "I think we're all having our expectations changed..." Rei says, thinking of how different things are for her than they were just a few days ago.
[22:24] <Corwin> Just before Beryl reaches Serenity, a young girl runs in front of the Earthling, headed for the Queen. "Aunty!" the girl shouts, her long dark-green hair swishing behind her.
[22:25] <PrincessMinako> Minako quirks and eyebrow at Rei-chan. "How have your expectations changed, Rei?"
[22:25] * Beryl pauses, letting the girl pass.
[22:26] * Rei-chan looks around slightly, noting that any number of people could overhear her. "Let's just say I've developed a new appreciation for how the Silver Millenium works," she says evasively.
[22:26] <Corwin> Serenity frowns at the energetic girl. "How did I tell you to call me, Setsuna-chan?"
[22:27] <Corwin> "Well, I still remember when I called you gramma..." Setsuna replies, wincing. "Right, I shouldn't do that. Ever again."
[22:27] <Corwin> Serenity just sighs, shaking her head. "Rei-chan, Minako-chan, meet the future ruler of Pluto. The pleasure is all yours, I'm sure."
[22:29] * Rei-chan covers her mouth to hide a small chuckle at the interplay, before composing herself. "Good evening, Setsuna. It's nice to meet you," she smiles at the younger girl.
[22:30] <Corwin> "Nice to meet you too, Aunty Rei!" Setsuna chirps, returning her smile.
[22:31] <PrincessMinako> "It's wonderful to meet you, Setsuna," Minako almost gushes, loving the energy the girl produces.
[22:31] <Corwin> Setsuna nods happily at Minako. "Thank you, Aunty!"
[22:31] * Rei-chan hunches down slightly. "I don't think I'm much older than you, Setsuna-chan," she says, her smile becoming somewhat sinister.
[22:32] <PrincessMinako> "Is this your first ball?"
[22:32] <Corwin> Setsuna shakes her head at Minako, ignoring Rei's correction. "Nuh-uh! Great-gramma always takes me to balls!"
[22:33] <PrincessMinako> "Do you find them fun?"
[22:33] <Corwin> "Of course!"
[22:33] <Corwin> Setsuna is about to continue, when a polite cough cuts her off.
[22:34] <Corwin> "Let's say hello to Miss Beryl first, Setsuna-chan," Serenity speaks, nodding at the red-head.
[22:34] <Rei-chan> Rei's fingers twitch slightly, but she restrains any violent impulses. Straightening, she notices Beryl nearby, and greets her. "Hello, Lady Beryllium. Have you had a productive day since we parted?"
[22:36] <Beryl> "Hello Princess," Beryl says back, kindly. "Queen Serenity. Princess." She bows to Serenity and Minako, respectively.
[22:37] <PrincessMinako> Minako switches her attention to her new friend Beryl, and politely returns the bow.
[22:38] <Beryl> "The day has been a day, though it has had some high points," she says, smiling warmly at Minako.
[22:40] <Corwin> Beryl notices someone tugging on her dress.
[22:40] * Beryl looks for the source of said tugging.
[22:41] <Corwin> "Are you from Earth, Aunty?" Setsuna asks, looking up at the towering red-head.
[22:42] * Beryl kneels, bringing herself down to Setsuna's height. "Yes, I am. They call me Beryllium sweetie. And who might you be?" Her voice holds the same warm she's used to using with the younger members of her family.
[22:44] <Corwin> "I'm Setsuna! Setsuna de la Mare!" the girl answers. "I heard a lot about you from great-gramma!"
[22:45] <Beryl> "Oh?" Beryl glances toward Queen Serenity for a moment before bringing her attention back to Setsuna. "Good things I hope."
[22:46] <Corwin> Queen Serenity has a tired expression on her face, which is smoothed over quickly once she notices Beryl's glance.
[22:47] <Corwin> "Yep!" Setsuna replies. "She told me you were really weak! 'Easy pickings', or something. Great-gramma likes to use those words."
[22:48] * Beryl continues to smile, if a bit forced. "Is that so?"
[22:50] * Rei-chan dearly hopes Setsuna's 'great-gramma' is the senile Queen Mother of Pluto or something like that, and not in any current position of authority....
[22:50] <Corwin> Setsuna nods eagerly. "She said she'd teach me how to blast them with the Chr--"
[22:50] <Corwin> Serenity comes up, and puts a hand over the green-haired girl's mouth. "I think I'll have a chat with your 'great-gramma' later, Setsuna-chan," she says, her left eyebrow twitching.
[22:50] <PrincessMinako> Minako tries extremely hard to suppress a laugh, and barely succeeds.
[22:50] <Rei-chan> "Kids, eh?" Rei gives Beryl a slightly pained grin.
[22:51] <Corwin> Serenity whispers something into Setsuna's ear, the little girl going white and bolting for the exit. She almost makes it, before the effect of a teleport washes over her fleeing form.
[22:52] <Beryl> "Indeed," Beryl says, rising. "Spirited little thing. Reminds me of someone."
[22:53] <Corwin> "I know," Alita speaks up suddenly from behind Beryl.
[22:53] * Rei-chan brightens. "Ah, hello Alita! How are you?"
[22:53] <Corwin> "Confused," the short woman replies. "That girl seemed really familiar...."
[22:54] * Beryl turns. "Ah, Miss Alita. I had wondered where you'd gone. Enjoying yourself?"
[22:54] <Corwin> "I guess," Alita replies, shrugging. Noticing Serenity nearby, she waves at her.
[22:54] <Corwin> Serenity returns the wave, smiling once more.
[22:54] <Beryl> 'Probably not. Bet she hasn't harassed the prince since he became ill,' Beryl thinks.
[22:55] <Corwin> "I heard you got promoted," Alita comments, taking a glass from a passing waiter and sipping from it. "Congrats and all that."
[22:57] * Beryl waves it off. "Just a bit more responsibility, that's all. What _have_ you been up to?"
[22:59] <Corwin> Alita shrugs. "Oh, you know. Visiting here and there, beating up guards for fun. The usual."
[23:02] <Rei-chan> "Beating up guards...?" Rei casts a nervous glance between Alita and Queen Serenity.
[23:02] <Corwin> "It's all to further their training," Serenity says, though Rei notices an almost imperceptible wince.
[23:03] <Beryl> "Oh?" Beryl leans toward Gren and whispers, "You may go now, though I may need an escort back to my room later." She winks.
[23:05] <Rei-chan> "So, did you visit anywhere outside the palace?" Rei asks Alita. "Chances are you've probably seen more of the Moon than I have.... I haven't really gotten the chance to do much sightseeing," she laments.
[23:06] <Corwin> Gren bows to Beryl and the gathered royalty, and leaves quickly.
[23:07] <Corwin> "Only to the library," Alita says mournfully, while Serenity looks alarmed nearby. "I've been told really strong fighters were there, but when I got to the place, it was deserted."
[23:07] <PrincessMinako> "The library?" Minako asks flabbergasted by the conversation.
[23:07] <Rei-chan> "The St Claire Library?" Rei asks, paling.
[23:08] <Corwin> "Yeah, that's the one," Alita confirms, nodding. "The guards wouldn't let me in, of course. Something about planetary security." She waves her hand in a gesture of dismissal. "But no one was inside, and the place was just covered with foam."
[23:09] * Rei-chan blushes.
[23:09] <Beryl> "Foam? Perhaps a fire caused them to leave," Beryl comments.
[23:10] <Corwin> Serenity blanches. "They wouldn't!"
[23:10] <Beryl> "Hm?"
[23:10] <Rei-chan> "They couldn't!" Rei turns to Serenity, panicked, "Right?!"
[23:11] <PrincessMinako> Minako slides up to Beryl. "Do you have any idea?"
[23:11] * Beryl glances between the two. "Why wouldn't they? Certainly anyone with a bit of sense would vacate a burning building?"
[23:12] <Corwin> "Rei-chan," Serenity says in an unnaturally calm voice. "Please tell me how the fire was put out."
[23:14] <Rei-chan> "Ah...." Rei wracks her memory, since she was pretty out of it back then. "I think Priestess Misha said something about emergency sprinklers, and then Makoto-chan and I were teleported outside?"
[23:14] <Corwin> "Misha," Serenity says, before laughing to herself. "Misha! Of course! If anyone could do it--"
[23:15] * Beryl hangs back, no quite following the conversation.
[23:15] <Rei-chan> "Please, please, _please_ tell me they aren't loose," Rei begs the Queen.
[23:17] <Corwin> "Sylphiel!" Serenity calls out loudly, silencing the conversations nearby.
[23:17] <Corwin> A few moments later, the head priestess appears kneeling in front of Serenity. "Yes, my Queen?" she asks, looking up.
[23:18] <Corwin> "Investigate the St. Claire Library at once!" Serenity commands her "Take all available trainees with you."
[23:19] <Corwin> Sylphiel pales, but nods. "Is there anything else, Queen Serenity?"
[23:20] <Corwin> Serenity smiles. "Oh yes. Indeed. Find Priestess Trainee Misha, and bring her to see me at the earliest possible convenience."
[23:20] * Rei-chan has an inner battle with her conscience, not wanting to face those perverts again, but feeling for Sylphiel and the trainees.... "Ah... I'd be willing to help as well," she offers. In a way, it is kind of her fault, anyway....
[23:20] <Corwin> "You will?" Serenity asks in surprise. "Do you feel up to it, Rei-chan?
[23:21] * Rei-chan steels herself, and takes a deep breath. "I can't say I'm fully confident, but I want to at least try to bring those fiends to justice."
[23:21] <PrincessMinako> Minako, still in a hazy fit of confusion asks, "How hard can investigating foam be?"
[23:22] <Corwin> "Yeah, it didn't look that scary to me," Alita pitches in.
[23:23] <Rei-chan> "It's not the foam, it's the librarians..." Rei says uneasily.
[23:23] <Beryl> "I believe she is referring to the 'strong fighters' you mentioned earlier," Beryl says.
[23:23] <Corwin> Alita laughs. "Strong librarians? Why the hell not? I wanna meet them."
[23:24] <PrincessMinako> "Soo... some librarians started a fire, and Rei-chan had trouble bringing them to justice? Is that right, Rei-chan?"
[23:24] <Beryl> "I wonder..." Beryl says quietly.
[23:24] * Rei-chan turns to Minako. "Ah, not quite. The librarians attacked me, and in the fight, a fire was started..." she says, blushing.
[23:25] <Beryl> 'First ninja cooks and now criminal librarians.' "The universe is a strange place indeed."
[23:25] <PrincessMinako> "Why did they attack you? Did you forget to return a book?" Minako asks. Her confusion _not_ going away.
[23:26] * Rei-chan frowns. "The librarians are perverts. Not to be immodest, but I'm an attractive young woman. Do I need to explain further?" she asks, her tone becoming noticeably cooler.
[23:27] <Corwin> Serenity pats Rei's shoulder reassuringly.
[23:28] * Rei-chan gives Serenity a somewhat grateful smile. "Anyway, I suppose I should leave with Sylphiel now. I hope everyone enjoys the ball," she smiles at everyone else before moving towards Sylphiel.
[23:29] <Corwin> Serenity gives her a curt nod. "Good luck, Rei-chan, Alita, Sylphiel. May you punish them in the name of the Moon."
[23:29] <PrincessMinako> "Do you need any help," Minako asks, "I mean from the perverts?"
[23:30] * Rei-chan takes out the brass knuckles Genkai gave her. They might be an uncouth weapon, but the perverts deserve no courtesy. "If you're willing to help, I won't refuse any, but you do know the risk you're putting yourself at?" she asks Minako.
[23:31] <PrincessMinako> "Life without risk is boring," she says. "I think I should change, first. Is there a good place to meet you?"
[23:32] <Beryl> "Knuckle Dusters?" Beryl says, surprised. Really, you'd think she'd have a sword or something.
[23:32] * Rei-chan dons the knuckles, seeing her arms becoming wreathed in flame, she nods in satisfaction before also producing her Flame Whip, coiled and ready. She looks at Sylphiel to answer Minako's question, since the Priestess seems to be in charge of this mission.
[23:33] <Corwin> "There is no time to waste," Serenity says grimly. "Sylphiel will just have to provide for you."
[23:34] <Corwin> "I understand, my Queen," Sylphiel replies. She offers her hands to those coming. "Please, hold onto me."
[23:34] <Corwin> Alita is the first to grab onto Sylphiel's arm.
[23:35] <PrincessMinako> Shrugging her shoulders, Minako takes a hold of Sylphiel.
[23:37] <Beryl> "Good luck?" Beryl says uncertainly, not exactly sure why the princesses would be running off to fight criminals.
[23:37] <Beryl> 'They certainly do some odd things up here.'
[23:38] * Rei-chan puts a hand on Sylphiel's shoulder.
[23:38] <Corwin> "Rei wouldn't need luck, if what I saw of her was any judge," Alita tells Beryl with a confident smile.
[23:38] <Corwin> Sylphiel closes her eyes, and the four disappear from the ballroom.
[23:39] <Corwin> ---------
[23:40] <Corwin> Alita, Rei and Minako find themselves in front of a small reception desk, much like one hotels often use. It's strangely vacant.
[23:40] <PrincessMinako> Minako releases her hold upon Sylphiel and looks around the room.
[23:40] * Rei-chan notices that the flames on her arm have moved away from her hand after she touched Sylphiel, and she experiments with moving them around her body a bit after letting the Priestess go.
[23:41] <Corwin> "Silvia? Mariko?" Sylphiel calls out. "Greta?"
[23:42] <Corwin> Rei manages to move the fire a few centimeters, before it returns stubbornly to its original location.
[23:43] <Corwin> There's a yawn from Minako's arms, and Artemis opens his eyes, looking around blearily. "Where are we, Mina?" he asks.
[23:43] <Rei-chan> "That was nice of you to say, Alita," Rei says to the other girl, after she finishes with the knuckle dusters, "But these librarians are a LOT better than me. I could barely touch the one I fought yesterday, though he had no problems touching ME," she shivers at the memory.
[23:43] <Corwin> Sylphiel disappears further into the building.
[23:44] <Corwin> "Don't worry, I'll protect you, then!" Alita says cockily.
[23:45] <PrincessMinako> Minako looks down at the feline. "We're looking for some priestess, Arty. And then we're off to fight some perverts," she says cheerfully.
[23:46] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure with all of us we'll be able to handle them," Rei says, sounding a bit more upbeat.
[23:46] <Corwin> "Oh no!" Sylphiel exclaims, returning, her eyes wild. "No one's around! They must've heard, somehow, and ran away!"
[23:46] * Rei-chan stumbles slightly.
[23:47] <Corwin> "What should we do? What should we do?" Sylphiel repeats to herself. "I'm too young to die...."
[23:47] <Rei-chan> "You'll only _wish_ you were dead after dealing with those perverts," Rei says grimly.
[23:47] <Corwin> "Perverts? Dying?" Artemis snorts. "I'll wait here, thanks." He jumps out of Minako's arms and onto the floor.
[23:48] <Corwin> "You know, your cat talks," Alita comments conversationally to Minako.
[23:49] <PrincessMinako> "But what if they're gone because the perverts came here and tied them up. Just waiting for us to come rescue them and they leap out at any moment," Minako calls to Artemis. "Unfortunately, I know," Minako replies to Alita without missing a beat.
[23:49] <Corwin> "It must be a pain," Alita says, nodding.
[23:50] <Corwin> Artemis, however, is fast asleep on a sofa found in the reception room.
[23:50] <PrincessMinako> "You have noo idea," Minako says as she lowers and shakes her head sadly.
[23:51] <Rei-chan> "Where will we start looking? They could be anywhere..." Rei muses, looking at Sylphiel for any suggestions.
[23:52] <Corwin> "First, you must change," Sylphiel says, handing out three priestess outfits she materializes seemingly out of thin air. "Then, we'll have to teleport over to the library."
[23:53] <Corwin> Sylphiel holds up a strange device which reminds Rei of the Mercury Computer. "I can track them with this, if I'm close enough. Or, at the very least, pick up their trail."
[23:53] <Rei-chan> Looking around, and noticing no one else is around but 'us girls', Rei shrugs and quickly removes her dress, throwing it on top of Artemis before donning the outfit Sylphiel provided.
[23:54] <PrincessMinako> Minako takes the proffered outfit, noting it can't be worse to fight in then her current attire. Following Rei's lead, she quickly changes.
[23:54] <Corwin> Alita changes as well.
[23:55] <Corwin> "Hold on to me again," Sylphiel asks, and once the three do so, yells, "I hate you all, you cowards! I'm never buying you lunch again!" just before she teleports away.
[23:55] <Corwin> ---------
[23:56] <Corwin> Rei and Alita recognize the reception desk of the library as soon as their eyes clear. Minako, however, just stares at the foam-covered place.
[23:56] <Rei-chan> "Can you track them?" Rei asks, letting go of Sylphiel.
[23:57] <Corwin> Sylphiel tinkers with her device for a few moments. "I'm getting a reaction... my God, there are five-- how?!"
[23:57] * Rei-chan chokes. "Five?! I thought there were just the two of them?!"
[23:58] <Corwin> Sylphiel laughs hysterically. "They couldn't have interbred. It's impossible!"
[23:58] <Corwin> The priestess begins typing furiously.
[23:58] <PrincessMinako> Minako looks wide-eyed at Sylphiel.
[23:59] * Rei-chan turns green at the thought of them breeding.
[23:59] <Corwin> "Games... to Misha, collection of dresses to Serenity...." Sylphiel mumbles, typing.
[00:00] <Corwin> "Hey, where's the closest one?" Alita asks.
[00:03] <Corwin> "At Serenity's Enemies," Sylphiel replies eventually, snapping out of her hysteria. "How fitting."
[00:03] <Corwin> Alita nods. "I'll go scout ahead. You three follow me and watch my back, k?"
[00:04] <Rei-chan> "Well, at least they're still in the library, right?" Rei says, following Alita while looking around warily.
[00:05] <Corwin> Alita jogs ahead, while Sylphiel follows at a normal pace, her nose buried in the device.
[00:05] <Corwin> "Oh my!" the priestess exclaims.
[00:06] <Rei-chan> "What?" Rei asks in alarm, her nerves pretty frayed.
[00:06] <Corwin> "There are ten of them now!"
[00:07] <Rei-chan> "That thing has to be broken!" Rei yells, half-hysterical as she points at the device in Sylphiel's hands.
[00:08] <Corwin> Sylphiel drops it at Rei's yell, the device slamming against the ground. "Well, it certainly is now," the priestess whines.
[00:09] * Rei-chan groans. "I'm sorry, but... ten?! How is that possibly possible?!"
[00:10] <Corwin> "Well, amoeba--" Sylphiel cuts herself off. "Something's coming!"
[00:11] <Rei-chan> "Where?" Rei spins around, looking in every direction she can.
[00:12] <Corwin> Sylphiel releases a beam of light to the left, catching a diminutive form with it. However, instead of pushing the attacker back, it doesn't seem to halt him the slightest!
[00:21] <Corwin> With a battle cry of "Breast imprints!" the tiny pervert flies at Rei, his little hands outstretched!
[00:23] <Rei-chan> Nimbly ducking under the flying pervert, Rei then spins round and lashes out with her Flame Whip, hoping to entangle him and hinder his damnable mobility, in addition to causing a world of pain!
[00:25] <Corwin> The pervert moans, getting wrapped up in the whip and then slammed against the ground.
[00:28] <Corwin> "D-Damn you," Lucky gasps, glaring daggers at Rei.
[00:31] <PrincessMinako> Minako watches, impressed with Rei's dexterity, running up she raises a fist and smashes it into his face.
[00:33] <Corwin> Minako's fist slams into the ground next to the aged pervert, as she misjudges his height.
[00:37] <Corwin> "Feel the wrath of an artist scorned!" the diminutive thing cries out, his arms freeing themselves from the whip and pink energy gathering between his cupped palms.
[00:38] <Corwin> A large, panty-shaped pink blast erupts from his outstretched hands, headed for Rei!
[00:39] <Corwin> Rei tries to duck under the blast, but the panty of pink grows as it travels towards her, smacking the girl in the face.
[00:41] <Corwin> "And you!" Lucky exclaims, turning his head to glare at Minako. "You tried to take an old man's remaining pleasure from him!"
[00:41] <Corwin> Minako is blasted with a glowing, pink bra.
[00:43] <Corwin> Minako is sent flying back by the bra, which burns off a considerable portion of the top of her outfit.
[00:43] * Rei-chan is too busy with her own pain to notice the otherwise distracting sight....
[00:44] <PrincessMinako> Straightening herself, a now furious Minako takes aim and fires a Crescent Beam at the little old lech.
[00:47] <Corwin> Lucky bounces his feet against the floor, and twists out of the way, the beam cutting through the whip instead. He stands up, dusting himself off, and suddenly leers at Minako.
[00:49] <Rei-chan> Growling with rage, Rei lunges at the pervert, her brass knuckle wearing fist reared back to deliver a punishing blow to his tiny frame!
[00:50] <Corwin> Lucky easily bounces out of range, not even acknowledging Rei as he keeps on leering at Minako's chest.
[00:53] <Corwin> "I forgive you, baby!" Lucky cries out, flinging himself at Minako's chest with what looks like a clay mould.
[00:55] <PrincessMinako> Minako looks at the decrepit old man and blanches, barely recognizing his words as she attempts to jump out of the way.
[00:59] <Corwin> Minako almost manages to escape the old man. Just as she thinks she's in the clear, a cold sensation from her chest informs her otherwise. Looking down, she sees the pervert smile at her, his eyes shining with unshed tears, as he makes a breast imprint.
[01:00] <Corwin> "By all that is holy, begone!" Sylphiel calls out then, having chanted from the beginning of the battle.
[01:01] <Corwin> A corona of light surrounds her, and then lashes out at the pervert, which leaps away just in time, sans his clay, which takes the brunt of the attack.
[01:02] <Corwin> "Oh no," Sylphiel says in fright, stepping back.
[01:03] <Rei-chan> Still crouched slightly from her previous attack, Rei strikes out with her whip at the evil little troll.
[01:05] <Corwin> The whip misses the aged pervert, who seems to be taking Rei seriously again, now that his precious clay had been shattered.
[01:06] <PrincessMinako> Growing more and more upset by the minute, Minako fires off another shot at the pervert.
[01:08] <Corwin> Lucky barely manages to dance out of the way, scowling at Minako. "You're being a naughty girl again," he lectures the blonde.
[01:12] <Rei-chan> Drawing her whip back from it's last wild attack, Rei cracks it out once more, desperately trying to end the little bastard's wretchedly overlong life.
[01:13] <Corwin> Moving past the whip, Lucky fires another bra-shaped blast at Rei.
[01:14] <Corwin> The blast eats away at Rei's top, just like it had for Minako. The pervert stops, a second blast he had been preparing dissipating.
[01:18] <PrincessMinako> Minako, wondering what she did to the gods to have her aim and luck leave her so harshly, fires another Crescent Beam at the pervert.
[01:19] <Corwin> Lucky, distracted by Rei's bare chest, doesn't even move to dodge as he is blasted by the golden beam.
[01:20] <Corwin> Holding a heart-shaped rod, Sylphiel tries to slam it against Lucky's head, missing due to the fact that she's shaking too much.
[01:21] <Corwin> "I'm angry now!" the old pervert proclaimed, shaking his head and giving all three a glare. With uncanny agility, he sped around the room, sending a groping hand at each of them.
[01:23] <Corwin> Sylphiel shrieks and draws away on pure instinct before Lucky could touch her, and the other two women slap his wandering hands away.
[01:24] <Rei-chan> Even though she is severely pained from those two energy blasts, Rei still manages to focus enough to punch out at Lucky, aiming to pulp his rotten little head.
[01:26] <Corwin> The pervert brings up his tiny hands to block Rei's punch, grunting from the effort. "It'll take more than that to do me in, girly!" he boasts.
[01:27] <PrincessMinako> Enthused from the success of her last attack, she attempts to blast the pervert away with another Crescent Beam.
[01:28] <Corwin> Due to the pervert's position, he doesn't manage to twist out of the way in time, and is blasted by Minako's attack, bouncing off the floor and into Rei's chest.
[01:29] <Corwin> Sylphiel tries to strike Lucky again with her heart-shaped rod, but doesn't reach him, afraid to tag Rei as well.
[01:32] <PrincessMinako> Worried about her potential teammate, instead of a conventional attack, Minako attempts to grab the pervert and slam him into the ground.
[01:36] <Corwin> Batting Minako's hands away, Lucky shakes his head, before nuzzling Rei's chest lovingly.
[01:37] <Corwin> As he keeps on nuzzling it, Lucky idly bats away another strike from Sylphiel, murmuring something unintelligible.
[01:39] * Rei-chan brings both her arms out, before swinging them in to crush the little bastard's head between her two fists.
[01:40] <Corwin> Lucky leans further into Rei's cleavage, narrowly escaping the attack.
[01:42] * Rei-chan tries to grab Lucky off her chest before drop kicking him away.
[01:44] <Corwin> Lucky doesn't resist as Rei grabs him. He begins protesting as he's pulled away from her bosom, but her foot silences his objections. The old pervert is sent flying into a bookcase far into the distance, splattering against its side.
[01:45] * Rei-chan feels her heart burn with justice as the pervert meets his deserved fate!
[01:46] <Corwin> "Yay! Yay! The pervert's dead!" Sylphiel cheers, waving the heart-shaped rod like a baton.
[01:48] <PrincessMinako> Minako looks at Sylphiel and snorts.
[01:48] <Rei-chan> "We'd better catch up with Alita," Rei says, wincing slightly in pain as she wraps her cloak around her front before running onwards.
[01:46] <Corwin> "Only nine more to go!" Sylphiel continues happily.
[01:48] <Corwin> "Make that seven," a female voice says grimly. A second later, Alita emerges from beyond another bookshelf.
[01:48] <Corwin> She gives a glance at the splattered pervert, and snorts. "Nice job. Your finishing touch, Rei?"
[01:49] <Rei-chan> "Alita!" Rei stops short, "You fought two of them?!" she asks, her estimation of the girl rising sharply, before adding, "Yeah, I got that one."
[01:49] <Corwin> Rei, Minako and Sylphiel see that Alita looks like hell, her cape torn off and the rest of the outfit in tatters.
[01:49] <Corwin> Somehow, she still looks more presentable than either Rei or Minako.
[01:51] <Corwin> "I think a strategic retreat is in order," Alita suggests, heading towards her companions. "We won't get them all before it's too late."
[01:51] <PrincessMinako> Minako nods in agreement.
[01:52] <Rei-chan> "I hate to let them live, but you're probably right.... I haven't taken a beating like today in a very long time..." Rei says sadly. "Maybe they can seal the library and bomb it from orbit after we leave?"
[01:53] <Corwin> "One of them talked before he dropped," Alita says. "They've found a way to teleport their buddies in. It's not going to be pretty."
[01:53] <Rei-chan> "Teleport from where?" Rei asks, moving towards Sylphiel so the priestess can teleport them all the hell out of here.
[01:54] <Corwin> "All over." Alita shrugs. "How the hell would I know where you guys grow these freaks?"
[01:55] <Corwin> Alita turns to look at Sylphiel. "Now would be a good time for that neat teleporting trick."
[01:56] <Corwin> Sylphiel blushes. "Umm... I kinda spent all my energy on that blast? Which missed?"
[01:56] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "Wherever they came from, if they're all here, I think losing a few books to wipe them all out is an acceptable loss."
[01:58] * Rei-chan looks at Sylphiel, then back towards the entrance. "Think we can make a run for it?"
[01:58] <Corwin> Sylphiel looks at Rei, then at the long corridor leading further inside the building, and bolts for the exit.
[01:59] <Corwin> "There's your response," Alita says, chuckling, as she takes off after Sylphiel.
[01:59] * Rei-chan follows, running as fast as she can.
[01:59] <PrincessMinako> "Should you just teleport us out of here...." Minako interjects, but decides chasing after the others is better than asking.
[02:01] <Corwin> ---------

As Kunzite's ship approaches Lunar orbit, Jam is handed an urgent message relayed through Endymion's cruiser. It's from 'Alita', and is a request for reinforcements for an unspecified reason.

"Alita.. Alita.. Alita.. hey, you! Open comms with Endymions ship and find out just where the heck these reinforcements are supposed to be," barks Jam. "And someone tell the General."

After a brief round of communications, Jam finds out that the request didn't specify a location, though Alita's whereabouts and Endymion's cruiser would be the most logical places for them. As for Alita, her transmission was from inside a large complex in the capital. The crew of Endymion's ship isn't sure what it's used for, but they promised to get on the comm with the Lunar representatives and find out.

Meanwhile, Kunzite is not answering any calls, which are returned with a generic 'do not disturb' message.

"Get clearance from Lunar control to send a ship down," says Jam. "Let's do things the *diplomatic* way."

Meanwhile, on the Moon....

[19:00] <V-chan> ---------
[19:01] <V-chan> "Miss Beryl," Gren says, approaching the Earthling quietly and trying to get her attention.
[19:01] <Beryl> "Yes Gren?" Beryl turns toward the guard.
[19:04] <V-chan> "We've been asked to relay a communique from your ship," he replies, holding an electronic palm-sized tablet discretely.
[19:04] <Beryl> "Ah, thank you Gren," Beryl says, taking the device and moving toward a more private area.
[19:06] <V-chan> Beryl finds that she doesn't have much attention on her. The Queen had been growing progressively more troubled after Sylphiel, Alita and the two princesses left.
[19:07] <Beryl> Once alone, Beryl opens the line. "Beryllium," she says simply.
[19:13] <V-chan> "Alita called for a general evacuation," Major Iridium, whom she recognizes as Zoisite's aid, tells her. "I've assumed command, until we manage to locate General Zoisite. I respectfully request that you return to the Divine Wind, Madam Ambassador."
[19:15] <Beryl> Beryl looks around casually, her gaze pausing momentarily on the increasingly troubled Queen. "Lady Alita called for the evacuation? Did she say why?"
[19:19] <V-chan> The officer looks uncomfortable. "Her exact words were 'Intergalactic midget megapervert invasion', Ma'am. We took the liberty of changing the wording, when we passed the message on to General Kunzite's Stellar Bugbear."
[19:22] <Beryl> "We're being invaded?" Beryl says, incredulous. She shakes her head. As odd as it sounded they must be serious or they wouldn't have bothered with something so ridiculous sounding. "I'm on my way." As an after thought she gives them the name of the restaurant the general was spotted in.
[19:23] <Beryl> Beryl waits for the affirmative and then cuts off the communique. She approaches the queen. "Excuse, Queen Serenity."
[19:28] <V-chan> "Yes?" Serenity says, though her attention is clearly divided.
[19:33] <Beryl> "Something has come up, I'm afraid, and so I have to go back to my ship. As it was Lady Alita who reported a..." Beryl pauses, trying to recall the exact wording. "An 'Intergalactic midget megapervert invasion' I believe her words were. Seeing as she went with the other princesses about that situation earlier I thought that you should hear this as soon as possible."
[19:34] <V-chan> Serenity blanches. "There are more than two?!" she exclaims.
[19:36] <Beryl> "An invasion, apparently. If you'll excuse me, my people need me back on the ship." Beryl bows low. "Until we meet again, Queen."
[19:37] <V-chan> "Right, this party officially sucks now," Serenity mutters under her breath, disappearing in a flash of light.
[19:39] * Beryl heads toward the door, signaling Gren and the other guard to come.
[19:41] <V-chan> Beryl and her escort reach the Divine Wind quickly, where she is forced to part with them. As Beryl heads into the ship, she notices Lunar soldiers taking defensive positions around it, as if expecting someone to storm the runway.
[19:43] * Beryl heads inside, turning to the first soldier she sees. "Where is Lady Alita?"
[19:46] <V-chan> "I don't know, Ma'am!" the marine responds, standing at attention.
[19:47] <Beryl> "Who would?"
[19:49] <V-chan> "My orders are to guard the entrance, Ma'am. I would check the bridge, if I were you."
[19:50] <Beryl> "Very well. Continue." Beryl leaves the soldier and heads for the bridge.
[19:52] <V-chan> Beryl finds Major Iridium at the bridge, his face pale. "This is--" he cuts himself off, and salutes Beryl.
[19:52] <Beryl> "At ease. What's the situation?"
[19:53] <V-chan> "They've mobilized the fleet! Everything they have!" He shakes his head in disbelief. "It covers the sun...."
[19:54] <Beryl> "Where is lady Alita? And Zoisite, did anyone pick up that fruit?"
[19:56] <V-chan> The insult at his superior officer snaps Iridium out of his shock. Being very careful not to scowl, he replies, "We have no idea, Ma'am. All communication networks are in chaos, and frequencies are being hijacked for Lunar military use left and right. All we have right now is a channel to the flagship."
[19:57] <Beryl> "Patch us through to it then." Beryl mutters something under her breath.
[19:58] <V-chan> "Right away, Ma'am," the major responds, and barks a few commands to the communications officer.
[20:00] <V-chan> ---------

"There's a lot of chatter on the military channels down there," the communications officer comments, as he tries to find someone on the surface to get the needed clearance.

"Ma'am," he says finally, turning in his seat to face Jam, "it doesn't look good down there. "The Divine Wind reports that soldiers have surrounded it, and General Zoisite is still nowhere to be found." He sighs, and shrugs helplessly, adding, "There's also a general panic on the civilian Lunar channels. I can't get through to the palace."

"Sensors output reports that the Lunar fleet has been fully mobilized, Ma'am!" another officer interjected, his colleague immediately adding, "They're acquiring target locks on Lunar surface, next to Lady Alita's last known location!"

"They're what? Did Alita start a war or something?" replies Jam. "Get that ship in the air! I want her off the moon before the fleet fires.

How the *hell* did they get set up without us noticing?"

OOC: This is assuming that there's a reasonable chance of success that a ship could pull Alita off. If there isn't (and Jam would know), then I'll edit.

A communications request from the Divine Wind arrives, as Jam gives the order.

OOC: Get which ship in the air? Endy's is the only one on the Moon, and it's way too far from the library.

"Patch it through," orders Jam.

"Kuradoberi here. I hope you have some good news for me.."

OOC: Oh, I figured there were like short-range spacecraft in the Bugbear, y'know, like a hangar with shuttles and fighters and whatnot, which is what I meant to prepare. o-O

Beryl's face appears on the screen facing Jam.

OOC: Then don't say that ship, as if referring to some previously-mentioned one?  >_>  Anyway, yes, the Bugbear has those. No, you don't have enough time to launch.

Jam eyes Beryl, waiting for a response..

OOC: We better do it here, Panda, this ain't working out. >_>

"Who's in charge up there?" Beryl barks off the moment the line connects.

"Me," replies Jam, flatly. "General Kunzite is indisposed at present."

"Very well, then. This is Beryllium of the Earth delegation, captain..." Beryl pauses for a moment for a name, but changes her mind and keeps going. "As I'm sure you are well aware that a situation has come up. The Moon Kingdom is being invaded."

'By what I won't say," Beryl thought. It would probably slow the process down.

"General General Zoisite and Lady Alita are missing, though in her case she went to confront the enemy before the numbers were know. The prince being our number one priority we cannot waste time down here. If you can, find both of them and we'll see about a pick up before we leave the atmosphere."

"That's *Lt. Colonel Jam* Ma'am," replies Jam, tightly. "And as much as I hate to say it, there's not much we can do right now.

We have no idea where Alita is, and we can't contact her. As for the prince, well, to be honest, I thought he was with you.

As things stand, we've got precious little time before those cannons start firing. I really suggest you get your ship out of there."

"Ma'am!" a sensor technician reports to Jam, his voice alert. "The Lunar fleet is firing!" A few moments later, he concludes, "A large complex on the surface has been destroyed, and there's now some kind of containment field of pure energy around it. Our sensors cannot analyze or penetrate it."

Endymion shows up at the bridge of the Divine Wind, and asks for an update on the current situation.

Beryl notices Endymion's arrival just as Major Iridium finishes reporting to the princes on Zoisite's and Alita's whereabouts, or lack thereof.

"Can you get comms with the Lunar fleet?" barks Jam.

"You have a channel to the Silver Queen, Lt. Commander," the woman at the communications station told Jam, swerving in her chair. "Princess von Magellan says it's good to speak with you again."

Minako looks at the communications screen, a slight frown on her face, as she contemplates something.

"Jam!  It's so good to speak with you again."

Jam blinks.

"Er, a pleasure, princess," she replies. "You wouldn't know what building was just blown off the Lunar surface, would you?"

Minako smiles brightly.  "The library.  The Queen is unhappy about loosing some of her books, but she was convinced the sacrifice was necessary."

Jam blinks., eyeing the rest of her crew.

That certainly didn't sound like something to be smiling about..

"Quite, but.. an invasion, I hear? Who could possibly invade you from within?"

Well, except for Alita.

Beryl blinks in surprise for a moment.

"Prince? Are you feeling alright?"

"Within?"  Minako blinks in apparenet confusion.  "Those perverts wouldn't be from the Kingdom.  I don't think anyone knows where they're from.    

Minako's seems to contemplate something for a moment, and then shakes her head.  "I have no idea where they came from."

"I'm amazed that a potential enemy managed to get that far inside the city before striking," replies Jam, dryly. "What land were they trying to take, anyway? An invasion implies they're out to conquer something.."

"Hmmm... that far?   I don't think distance is really all that important in comparison to how?  I know the Queen is having someone look into how they managed entry into to library without detection, or even why the library."  Minako purses her lips, " I can't imagine they made it past customs, the women there are all stacked."  She places a hand to her chin in a display of deep introspection.

"Yes," replies Jam, "Knowing how is one step. But why? What was their goal, princess? Were they after a book? Hostages?"

"We never stopped to ask them.   Capturing one would have been good.  Princess Rei-chan had one in her sights for a while, but couldn't hold him long enough to ask questions.  I imagine they were after hostages, or at least samples."  Mianko shudders as she is reminded of the cast the pervert attempted to make of her.

So you have no idea who sent them or what they want.

I wonder if Alita does..

"I see," replies Jam, tightly. "What of Alita? Her position is lost to us, perhaps you know where she is?"

Offscreen, she orders her crew; "Keep scanning the lunar surface for Alita. Trace the comm signal from the Divine Wind. Do anything you can to find her."

"Mmm... She ran off after somewhere.  I think she was looking for a new wardrobe."

"I.. see.." replies Jam. "Could you tell me anything about the energy shield presently surrounding the cratered library?"

"Yes, I'm quite fine, thank you," Endymion tells Beryl calmly. "Now could someone please give me a report on what's been happening?"

"there appears to be an attack on the moon Kingdom from an unknown origin, my Prince," Beryl says, coming to attention.

"You would have to ask the Queen about the barrier."  Minako answers Jam.

[02:06] <Corwin> -----
[02:11] <Endymion> "An attack? And where are general Zoicite and Alita? I would have expected them
 to be here at the bridge," Endymion asks.
[02:13] <Beryl> "We're having problems locating them. Tne Lunarians snatched up all the channels
 before we could locate either of them."
[02:19] <Endymion> The prince frowns. "Have we already a plan of action on what to do in the
 meantime?"
[02:21] <Beryl> "We were planning to hold as long as we could for either of them to show, or until
 the threat became too great. The is a force of lunar soldiers standing ready outside the ship as
 we speak."
[02:23] * Beryl gestures to the monitors showing the outside of the ship.
[02:24] <Endymion> "You stated that the Lunarians have all the channels," Endymion says while
 glancing at the monitors. "When did you last speak with them to get an update on the situation?"
[02:26] <Beryl> "Iridium?" Beryl defers to the man.
[02:27] <Corwin> "_Major_ Iridium," he corrects her. "It's been half an hour since the Lunar
 military and fleet began grabbing civilian channels," he reports to the Prince.
[02:31] * C-Rat-Sleep is now known as C-Rat
[02:32] <Endymion> "Please try to contact someone in charge, Major," Endymion requests. "Any news
 they can shed on the attack would be helpful should it reach our position."
[02:36] <Jam> "Ambassador?" says Jam from her still-open comm window..
[02:38] <Beryl> "Ah, yes. Colonel Jam." Beryl turns to the prince. "We still have contact with the
 Bugbear."
[02:38] <Corwin> The Major salutes, and heads towards the communications station, hunching over the
 technician and trying to get more information.
[02:39] * Endymion looks towards the location the voice came from. "Colonel Jam, was it? Do you
 have any news for us?"
[02:40] <Jam> Jam gives a deferential nod towards Endymion. "I've had a word with Princess Minako,
 Ms. Ambassador, Prince Endymion," she says, giving the latter a deferential bow through the
 comlink. "What I can tell you is that the building destroyed was a library, and that nobody knows
 who sent these.. uh, they were described only as 'perverts'.."
[02:40] <Jam> "..or what they were here for, or how they got there."
[02:40] <Jam> "In short, nobody knows anything except possibly the Queen."
[02:41] <Jam> "And, naturally, the people who were there at the time, though I have no idea if
 they're now part of the crater or not."
[02:42] * Endymion frowns, but nods. "Well, we at least know a bit more, even if not much, I
 suppose. Hopefully the major can get us more news."
[02:45] <Jam> "Hopefully. Right now, I'm wondering if we should send anyone down to the Lunar
 surface."
[02:45] <Corwin> "We've intercepted a transmission from the Lunar fleet to the surface," Iridium
 reports, returning. "We haven't been able to decode the actual message, but it contained a map."
 He presses a few buttons on his datapad, and a hologram of said map appears, a large X drawn on
 it.
[02:47] <Jam> Jam orders a comm tech to patch the hologram through to the Bugbear's Bridge.
[02:48] * Jam also makes sure that the comm panel relating to Minako isn't catching any of this
 highly secure transmission.
[02:48] <Beryl> "Library?" Beryl says suddenly. "The St. Clair Library?"
[02:49] <Jam> "I don't know the title, ma'am," replies Jam. "I did get the impression that it's
 somewhat precious. Well, insofar as the Lunar Fleet just blew it up."
[02:50] <Beryl> "I think that was were Alita and the princess ran off to," Beryl says, rather
 stunned.
[02:51] <Jam> Jam blinks. "Minako did say something about Alita and the Princess.. something about
 Alita looking for a wardrobe, and the Princess doing some fighting.."
[02:54] <Beryl> "Well, that's good," Beryl mutters. "One less problem to worry about."
[02:55] <Jam> "Pardon?"
[02:57] <Beryl> "Just relieved that the attack didn't kill Lady Alita is all."
[02:57] <Endymion> "Excuse me, I'd like a clarification of my own, Colonel. Who is this Minako?"
[02:57] <Jam> "Minako? Princess Minako von Magellan, Princess of Venus, I believe."
[02:57] * Beryl nods.
[02:57] <Jam> Her voice drops to a whisper. "And just between you and me, she's like a fan of
 Kunzite or something, the little-"
[02:57] <Jam> She abruptly shuts up.
[02:58] * Endymion raises an eyebrow at the colonel's reaction but doesn't ask on the matter.
[02:59] <Beryl> "Does this mean that they've cleared up lines, as you've spoken with her?"
[02:59] <Jam> "Apparently so, Ambassador. Speaking of which, I had better get back to her. I'll
 give another report after I'm finished. In the meantime, you should try and get in contact with
 the Queen.."
[03:00] <Jam> Jam gives a salute, then leaves the comms open to record before turning back to
 Minako..
[03:03] <Endymion> "Major Iridium, would you try to do as the colonel suggests? If possible, I'd
 also like to try and find out more about the map you intercepted."
[03:04] <Corwin> The Major coughs. "I don't think it would be a good idea to ask the Lunies about a
 map we intercepted from them," he replies, adding, "Sir!" crisply.
[03:06] * Beryl adds quitely, "And it would behoove us to locate General Zoicite while the lines
 are open."
[03:08] <Corwin> Iridium leaves towards the communications station once more, leaving Beryl with
 Endymion.
[03:14] <Corwin> The Major returns to Endymion a few minutes later. "Sir! We've established contact
 with a military post on the surface, but General Zoisite still cannot be reached. Orders, Sir?"
[03:17] <Endymion> "If we can't contact the General, we'll just have to wait till he
 contacts us himself," Endymion states, before pondering for a few seconds. ""Can you patch the
 military post to here?"
[03:19] <Corwin> The Major nods, and waves his hand at the technician. An old woman's face appears
 on a screen in front of Endymion.
[03:19] <Corwin> "Greetings, Prince of Earth," she says.
[03:21] <Endymion> "Greetings," the prince returns in kind. "May I have the name of the person I'm
 speaking with?"
[03:25] <Corwin> "Certainly," she responds. "I am Genkai. What can I do for you, Prince Endymion?"
[03:28] <Endymion> "I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you, Genkai-san. We are currently missing two of
 our own and are also aware that the moon is under attack. We'd appreciate any info that you could
 share," Endymion requests politely. Then, remembering that they were in a diplomatic mission, he
 also adds, "Also, if we can be of any assistance with this attack, please feel to
 ask."
[03:31] <Corwin> "You aren't keeping me away from my duties, so do not worry about that, Prince
 Endymion," Genkai says. "We believe we've handled most of the invaders. However, a group of four
 is headed towards your ship. I would like to suggest the Divine Wind make a strategic retreat,
 until our priestesses handle them."
[03:37] * Endymion blinks at the news of the approaching danger. "Thank you for the warning,
 Genkai-san," Endymion replies. "Before we follow your suggestion, however, some of your soldiers
 are around our ship. Will they have a way of retreating as well?"
[03:40] <Corwin> Genkai grimaces slightly. "Our military will cover your departure, naturally."
[03:51] <Endymion> "How far away are the invaders? We can depart quickly enough, and there's no
 need for your military to remain either."
[03:51] * Endymion says nothing about them remaining as cannon fodder, Genkai seemed to share the
 thought to a degree.
[03:54] <Corwin> "The Divine Wind needs to be in the air within the next twenty minutes to escape
 safely," Genkai responds. "I trust that is within your capabilities, if the stardrive on it is
 any indication?"
[03:59] <Endymion> "I believe it is," Endymion states, but asks for confirmation. "Major, can you
 confirm?"
[04:00] <Corwin> Iridium salutes. "We'll reach escape velocity fifteen minutes and three seconds
 after the command is given, Sir!"
[04:02] * Endymion nods. "Thank you, Major," he says before turning back to Genkai. "As you heard,
 we'll be gone long before twenty minutes. Please feel free to have your forces evacuate as well."
[04:05] <Corwin> "They will evacuate once your departure will be confirmed, Prince Endymion,"
 Genkai responds. "On behalf of Queen Serenity, I apologize for the this unfortunate occurance."
[04:08] <Endymion> "Major, start the departure," Endymion said at her response, not wanting the
 soldiers to have to be here any longer than needed. Turning back to Genkai, he accepts her
 apologies, but adds, "Don't worry, we recognize the moon kingdom was not at fault. As you put it,
 it was simply an unfortunate occurance."
[04:10] <Corwin> Genkai nods. "And please accept our sincere wishes that your illness leaves you
 soon, Prince."
[04:13] * Endymion gives a grin at the old woman. "Thank you, Genkai-san, though I feel as if my
 illness is already a thing of the past."
[04:13] <Corwin> "So it seems," she says, nodding. "By your leave...."
[04:35] <Corwin> -----
[04:38] <Jam> Jam comes back from some other conversation.. "Excuse me, Princess, there was some
 urgent business I had to deal with.."
[04:38] <PrincessMinako> "No Problem. What else can I do for you?"
[04:39] <Jam> "Who exactly were the people attacking? What did they look like? Did they wear some
 kind of uniform?"
[04:40] <PrincessMinako> Minako shudders involuntarily. "THe only one I saw was a perverted old
 man. He wore nothing that resembled a uniform."
[04:41] <Jam> "An old man?" Jam blinks.
[04:41] <Jam> "How old?"
[04:42] <PrincessMinako> "He was very wrinkled. Hard to determine because of that. Maybe a thousand
 years or so."
[04:42] <Jam> Jam blinks again. "Is that an exaggeration?"
[04:43] <PrincessMinako> "I wouldn't be surprised... to get that decrepid looking..." Minako
 blanches and looks like she's about to retch.
[04:44] <Jam> Jam shrugs. "Do you believe they were all as old as this figure?"
[04:45] <PrincessMinako> "Princess Rei-chan seemed to think the one or two she lost to earlier in
 the day were similar. Alita didn't mention the ones she faught, and I didn't see the others.
 Could be?" Shrugging, she looks deep in thought.
[04:46] <Jam> Jam sighs. "Well, hopefully, we'll never have to find out," she replies. "Good day,
 Princess."
[04:47] <PrincessMinako> "Good day, Jam."
[04:47] * Jam closes comms with the woman and glances over at her techs.
[04:47] <Corwin> -----
[04:47] <Corwin> "Minako-chan?" Serenity asks, walking over to the girl.
[04:48] <PrincessMinako> MInako startles, not noticing Serenity before. "Yes?" she asks politely.
[04:50] <Corwin> "I need to ask you for a favor," she says, handing her a datapad.
[04:51] <PrincessMinako> MInako takes the pad, but continues to look her Queen in the eye. "Yes?"
 Her voice shakes slightly.
[04:52] <Corwin> "Rei-chan and Ami-chan are going to respond to a threat in the city," Serenity
 says. "A group of three perverts. Would you assist them, Minako-chan?"
[04:55] <PrincessMinako> Minako's jaw drops slightly, before nodding her assent. "I don't suppose
 you have any weapons to spare." Minako wonders if a grenade laucher and machine gun battery is
 too much to ask for.
[04:56] <Corwin> "Nothing fast enough to work on them, or that wouldn't destroy a lot of property."
 Serenity sighs. "They're in a residential area, Minako-chan."
[04:56] <Corwin> "We're here to protect all those lives."
[04:57] <PrincessMinako> Minako absently covers her bussom with her arm. "Yes, Ma'am. I'll leave
 right away."
[04:57] <Corwin> Serenity nods. "Take one of the shuttles, then," she says. "I wish I could beam
 you down, but with having to hold the barrier...."
[04:58] <PrincessMinako> "Of course, My Queen." Minako curtsies gracefully before turning and
 walking briskly to the shuttle.
[04:59] <Corwin> The datapad in Minako's hand proves useful by detailing the layout of the ship,
 and provides information on operating a shuttle. It also has a map of the city, plus the
 coordinates for her destination.
[04:59] <Corwin> -----
[05:00] <Corwin> The techs are busy working, not one of them looking up to meet Jam's eyes.
[05:01] <Jam> Jam paces back and forth anxiously.
[05:01] <Jam> "Someone analyse this map," she orders.
[05:02] <Corwin> Two sensors and communications technicians begin working on it right away.
[05:03] * Jam starts playing back what the comms recorded after she left the earlier conversation
 with Endymion..
[05:05] <Corwin> "The map shows a section of the capital," Jam hears after approximately ten
 minutes, once the recording she was playing back ends. "We believe the X marks a target... either
 one to be invaded, or a place already taken by those invaders."
[05:05] <Jam> Jam nods. "Is it near the library?"
[05:06] <Corwin> "Assuming the library was the complex destroyed by the orbital bombardment,
 Ma'am," a tech replies, "the location indicated on the map is some four miles south from it."
[05:06] <Jam> "Can we get a visual on it?"
[05:08] <Corwin> "Only of the general area, Ma'am. We simply don't have the equipment necessary to
 see much on the surface from orbit."
[05:09] <Jam> "Pull it up, anyway," replies Jam.
[05:10] <Corwin> Jam sees a blob which the technicians swear is a residential neighborhood on the
 Moon.
[05:10] <Jam> "Get me comms with Lunar Command," she says.
[05:13] <Corwin> "Belay that order," Kunzite says, entering the bridge. "Jam, come with me." Not
 waiting for an answer, he heads into his ready room.
[05:13] <Jam> Jam blinks, then follows.
[05:14] <Corwin> "The Moon is being invaded by short, perverted aliens," Kunzite deadpans, once
 they're in the room and the door closes behind Jam.
[05:14] <Jam> "You forgot 'Old'," she replies, giving him a flat look.
[05:15] <Corwin> "Age is of no importance," he says, shrugging. "They seem quite agile, from the
 reports I've been getting."
[05:16] <Jam> "So agile as to require an orbital bombardment?"
[05:18] <Corwin> "More than a few escaped even that." Kunzite sighs. "My sources have been telling
 me that the invaders seem quite dangerous."
[05:18] <Jam> Jam raises an eyebrow. "So it would seem. What are your intentions?"
[05:19] <Corwin> "I've been monitoring the communication channels," he says. "No harm must come to
 Princess von Magellan or her allies."
[05:20] <Jam> Jam eyes Kunzite. "Are you going to send a bodyguard? Perhaps to indicate our
 generosity and goodwill?"
[05:21] <Corwin> "And to collect data on their fighting ability," he adds with a smirk. "How would
 you like to try a teleport, Jam?"
[05:23] <Jam> "Can I? Really?" deadpans Jam.
[05:25] <Corwin> "As a one-way trip," Kunzite replies. "Stay in touch with your datalink, and if
 you are in too deep, I'll lead you to an area you could be picked up." He pauses. "If
 communication is cut for any reason, head towards the Divine Wind."
[05:26] <Jam> Jam nods. "As you say, General."
[05:26] <Corwin> He nods, and Jam hears Kunzite say "Good luck" before light envelops her....
[05:26] <Corwin> -----
[05:27] <Corwin> Two hours after leaving Lunar surface with Sylphiel, Minako finally returns to it,
 her shuttle landing next to the area marked on her map.
[05:28] <Corwin> It's the closest she could get without crushing anyone's home, she thinks.
[05:29] <Corwin> Jam, who has been sneaking around the area for a while now, notices the shuttle on
 its way down.
[05:29] <Jam> Jam looks out at the shuttle from her hiding spot.
[05:30] <PrincessMinako> Minako vebtures out of the shuttle looking around to get acquainted witht
 he area and to try and spot either the perverts or the princess' she is here to help.
[05:30] <Jam> "Princess Minako?" says Jam, emerging from her location.
[05:30] <Corwin> Strangely, the other princesses aren't around.
[05:31] <PrincessMinako> Minako turns ar the voice. "Jam!" she exclaims, "What are you doing here?"
[05:32] <Jam> Jam shrugs. "I have specific orders to keep you and the other Princesses from harm,"
 she replies. "General Kunzite sent me as a bodyguard."
[05:34] <PrincessMinako> A soft smile forms on MInako's face. "Well, let's ind the other
 princess'," she indicates the direction that was marked on her map, "shall we?"
[05:35] <Jam> Jam shrugs. "I've been here a short while and scouted out the area, but I havn't seen
 them," she replies. "However, I've located three hostiles a short ways from here."
[05:36] <PrincessMinako> Minako slumps her shoulders as a frown creeps upon her face. "What were
 the little perverts doing ? Were they together or seperate?"
[05:39] <Jam> "I'm not entirely sure what they were doing," replies Jam. "But they were together."
[05:39] <Jam> "They had some weird equipment, like they were building or establishing something."
[05:41] <Jam> "They were in a cellar of a tall building, about five stories.."
[05:41] <PrincessMinako> "That can't be good..." she moans. "We can't let them finish whatever they
 were doing. You lead?" she asks. "This is turning out craptacularly," she mutters under her
 breath.
[05:41] <Jam> "As you say," replies Jam, stealthily leading Minako towards the building..
[05:41] <Corwin> -----
[05:42] <Corwin> Once the two are close to the building, the jewel in Minako's glove flashes orange
 once.
[05:44] <Jam> Jam creeps into the building, doing her best to Not Be Seen or Heard.
[05:45] <PrincessMinako> Minako looks at the jewel and signs. "They had to be inside. You said you
 scouted, is there something else I should know before we play heros?"
[05:45] <PrincessMinako> Minako follows along as she whispers to Jam.
[05:46] <Jam> Jam shakes her head and puts her finger to her lips, indicating Minako stays silent.
[05:46] <Jam> She continues creeping to where she saw the hostiles..
[05:47] <Corwin> Soon, the two are at the entrance to the basement. Minako can see it's just as Jam
 had described.
[05:47] <Corwin> Jam, however, notices that the construction of the strange device has been
 complete.
[05:47] <Jam> Jam eyes the device, looking to see if anyone is operating it..
[05:48] <PrincessMinako> Minako looks around the room for the perverts.
[05:49] <Corwin> Two diminutive men are huddling around it, the third giving them orders in some
 strange tongue. As Jam and Minako watch, he barks out what seems to be the last set of
 instructions, and walks through a door on the other side of the room.
[05:49] <Corwin> The two remaining are observing the device, prodding it occasionally with...
 tweezers?
[05:50] <Jam> Jam produces a pair of chopsticks from somewhere and holds them like darts, aiming at
 one of the tiny men..
[05:50] <PrincessMinako> Minako, seeing Jam begin to act, prepares to fire a crescent beam at the
 man on the left.
[05:52] <Corwin> Two chopsticks fly at the midget to the right, missing him by a mile, while
 Minako's crescent beam digs a trench in the room, not even close to the man's companion.
[05:56] <Jam> Jam rushes straight at the nearest perv, aiming to deal some serious damage to his
 face..
[05:59] <Corwin> The midget crumples under Jam's fists, dropping to the floor, though she can see
 he's still alive.
[06:00] <PrincessMinako> Minako fires another crescent beam at the remaining pervert.
[06:01] <Corwin> The pervert is completely floored by Minako's attack, just as his companion had
 been by Jam's.
[06:03] <Corwin> Jam's opponent smiles, coughing up blood, and launches a panty-shaped blast at Jam
 from his supine position.
[06:04] <Corwin> The blast relieves Jam of most of her uniform, leaving it completely in tatters.
 She's also the one flying back, now.
[06:05] <Corwin> The pervert stops moving then, the smile etched on his face.
[06:06] <Corwin> His companion throws a bra-shaped blast at Minako, cursing.
[06:08] <PrincessMinako> Seeing the incoming... brasire, Minako attempts to dodge it.
[06:09] <Corwin> The blast impacts against the opposite wall, Minako dodging it easily.
[06:12] <Corwin> "What's going on here?" an aged voice exclaims, as the door facing Jam and Minako
 opens. "Perky! No!" he yells, seeing his downed comrade. "You will pay for this!"
[06:14] <Corwin> Seeing the one of the attackers was standing, while the other still trying to get
 up, he turns to face Minako, glaring daggers at her. "Try this on for size!" the pervert yells,
 creating a pink blast in the form of a corsage and sending it flying at the blonde!
[06:16] <PrincessMinako> Minako squeeks at the horrifying use of flowers, uses her cape to help her
 defend against the coming attrocity.
[06:19] <PrincessMinako> Minako deftly moves to her left, ushering the cape in front of her, she
 succesfully blocks the attck, diffusing its destructive power.
[06:22] <PrincessMinako> Minako returns to the offensive, sending another crescent beam attack at
 the old man she already hit.
[06:23] <Corwin> The pervert was recovering, and a second Crescent Beam didn't help, at it dug deep
 into his side.
[06:27] <Jam> Jam rushes the next punk, throwing a kick at his head.
[06:29] <Corwin> He avoids it, perhaps due to his skill, or maybe due to Jam's lack of practice
 with such short opponents.
[06:30] <Corwin> The pervert already hurt by two Crescent Beams slowly drags himself off the
 ground, and forms another bra-shaped blast grimly.
[06:31] <Corwin> But the blast goes wide, hitting another wall.
[06:33] <Jam> Jam converts her kick into a stomp, hoping to squash the accursed midget.
[06:34] <Corwin> This time, Jam gets results, the pervert groaning under her boot.
[06:35] <Corwin> As Jam attacks the leader, the other pervert curses loudly, and throws yet another
 bra-shaped blast at Minako.
[06:36] <Corwin> In his anger, the midget somehow manages to blast himself.
[06:37] <Corwin> When the dust from the attack settles, a nude, aged pervert is standing in front
 of Minako, tilting slightly to the left.
[06:40] <PrincessMinako> Minako, hoping to remove this affrontery to all woman, fires another
 crescent beam at the nude pervert.
[06:43] <Corwin> The pervert is history, finally succumbing to the abuse showered on him.
[06:44] <Corwin> The leader, however, is energized after getting a perfect view of Jam from below
 her, and sends a bouquet of flower at her as a sign of his appreciation.
[06:47] <Corwin> Jam is covered by pink flowers, unable to defend from her position. They explode
 all around her, launching the girl into the air, until a wall breaks her flight. Jam also notices
 in her dazed state that the tatters of her clothing didn't make the flight.
[06:48] <Jam> Full of furious anger, Jam smashes both her hands on the punks head.
[06:50] <Corwin> She aims low, and while one of the punches bats the pervert away, Jam manages to
 hit her own foot with the other. The pain overtakes her, and then, there is only darkness....
[06:52] <Corwin> A black eye developing, the last pervert glares at Minako. "You're the only one
 left now, Girl," he rasps. "Hail the Master!"
[06:53] <Corwin> His flower bouquet-shaped blast goes wide, however, striking the basement's
 ceiling.
[06:54] <PrincessMinako> Wasting no time, and conscious of her falling energy levels, Minako fires
 at the pervert, hoping a hit is enough.
[06:54] <Corwin> He leaps over the golden beam, taking his opponent seriously.
[06:56] <PrincessMinako> Praying to her Queen, Minako fires at the pervert, one last time.
[06:57] <Corwin> Like his companion before him, the midget finds out that a Crescent Beam hurts.
[06:58] <Corwin> It picks him up and carries him through the door opposing Minako, breaking it in
 the process. A few seconds pass, and he doesn't come out.
[07:00] <PrincessMinako> Minako cautious moves to the contraption that was erected in the basement,
 keeping an ear out for any noise, she examines it. She hopes to find some way to make sure it's
 off, or some part she can easily remove from it.
[07:01] <Corwin> As Minako attempts to approach the machine, a strange forcefield pushes her away!
[07:04] <Corwin> Minako lands safely, unharmed by the forcefield's energy.
[07:06] <Corwin> "You are too late!" a female voice gloats. "Too late! Soon, the Gate would open,
 and then, your pathetic kingdom would have a new ruler! One to make it strong once more!"
[07:07] <PrincessMinako> MInako looks around for the source of the voice.
[07:07] <Corwin> It seems to be coming from the device.
[07:07] <PrincessMinako> Feeling extremely insecure in this situation, Minako decides a retreat is
 in order. She moves over to Jam, checking her vital signs and trying to determine if she could
 carry the other woman, if alive.
[07:08] <Corwin> Jam is out like a light, and Minako isn't sure moving her won't aggravate her
 injuries... but she figures that she'll live.
[07:10] <PrincessMinako> Considers searching Jam for something that could be used to destroy the
 object, but decides if the woman had had such on object, she would have used it. Moving as
 quickly as possible, Minako lifts the other woman and moves back to the shuttle, wary for any
 more opponents as she travels.
[07:12] <Corwin> Minako makes it to the shuttle without further trouble, her glove flashing orange
 again as she approaches it. Immediately, it begins to flash green, beeping.
[07:14] <PrincessMinako> Minako moves to place Jam saftly into the shuttle before she fiddles with
 the glove.
[07:14] <Corwin> Queen Serenity's image appears on it. "What happened, Minako-chan?" she asks.
 "Where did you disappear to?"
[07:15] <PrincessMinako> "I went to investigate and fight the perverts like you ordered. I never
 found the the other Princess, but I need them now," she speaks quickly, desperation apparent in
 her voice.
[07:16] <Corwin> "What's wrong?" Serenity asks in concern.
[07:18] <PrincessMinako> "The built some sort of teleportation device, thaqqt they're threatening
 to invade with. I've used all my energy and Jam was knocked unconcious. Where are Rei and Ami?"
 she speak, her voice rising in either fear or frustration, it's not apparent which.
[07:19] <Corwin> "Jam?" The Queen frowns. "Was a bystander endangered, Minako-chan?"
[07:19] <PrincessMinako> "Queen, you can chastise me for that later. I need help, now," she
 responds quickly and forcefully.
[07:20] <Corwin> Before Serenity can respond, the shuttle is rocked by a strong explosion in the
 distance.
[07:21] <PrincessMinako> MInako moves to secure herself inside the shuttle while she waits for
 Queen Serenity to respond.
[07:24] <Corwin> "We're registering a detonation in the target area," Serenity says, frowning.
 "What's happening on the surface, Minako-chan?"
[07:25] <PrincessMinako> "There was an explosion. It was strong enough to shake the ground here.
 Where are the other princesses?"
[07:27] <Corwin> "They're headed for your direction, just after another battle." Serenity sighs,
 massaging her temples. "A lot more escaped than we hoped."
[07:27] <PrincessMinako> "Are there any weapons on board here?"
[07:28] <Corwin> "Outside of the standard issue sidearms, none that I'm aware of," Serenity replies
 in a businesslike voice.
[07:30] <PrincessMinako> "Gotcha. Well, Queen. It was nice knowing you," Minako says softly. "How
 long until the other Princesses reach here?" Minako begins searching for the firearm and any
 extra ammunition that might be around.
[07:31] <Corwin> "Half an hour, judging by the distance they still have to cover."
[07:32] <Corwin> Minako finds the location of the gun after consulting her datapad.
[07:33] <PrincessMinako> Minako takes the gun and remembers Jam. Consulting her datapad, she tries
 to determine if there are any bandages, extra clothing, healing potions that might be useful in
 helping the poor girl.
[07:34] <Corwin> "I have to go, Minako," Serenity says. "We're getting reports from the capital.
 Stay safe."
[07:34] <Corwin> Serenity's image disappears.
[07:34] <PrincessMinako> "Bye..." Minako answers belatedly and absently.
[07:35] <Corwin> Minako manages to find both a Lunar military uniform and a first aid kit. Getting
 Jam dressed is easy, but understanding how to operate the medical kit takes some time....
[07:35] <Corwin> -----

OOC: For the time being, Minako and Jam travel to the other thread, while Endy and Beryl stay here.

Even from orbit, the bright flash of the explosion on Lunar surface is visible. After consulting with the data his technicians gathered, Major Iridium reports to Prince Endymion and Beryl that it took place in close proximity to the area indicated in the map intercepted from the Silver Queen earlier.

Endymion pauses at the report in thought before stating in a joking tone to Beryl and the major, "Well I'm certainly glad we didn't do anything about it, like decide to go find out what that map was about, don't you?"

The major stares at Endymion blankly, before bowing politely, and returning to his post.

Beryl nods her head.

"It would probably be best that we did not interfere in this matter, my prince."

"True, though I do wish we knew more of what happened with both Alita and General Zoicite," Endymion says, with a shake of his head as the humorous tone vanishes from his voice.

Fourty minutes pass quietly, as Endymion and Beryl listen to reports from the surface. Then, the two are alerted to the arrival of a new ship from out of system. Iridium claims that is the 'Serenity'.

"The Serenity..." the prince rolls over his tongue quietly, before deciding he'd had enough of sitting on the sidelines if possible. Calling up the major in his station, he asks, "Major, can you contact the ship? While I doubt they don't already know anything we can share from the surface's reports, maybe we can get more information than we could from Genkai-san, or possibly something to do."

A connection is quickly established, and Makoto's face appears on the viewer facing Endymion.

Makoto blinks at the screen a few times, then curtsies in recognition of the Earth delegation.  "Hello," she says.  "Can we help you with anything?"

"This is Prince Endymion of Earth, wishing to know if we can be of any help in the battle," Endymion states politely with a smile. "We haven't had contact with any of your forces in over forty minutes, and well frankly, we have nothing to do at the moment other than wait for the matter to get resolved otherwise."

Makoto looks behind her at two other girls on the edge of the screen, then turns back to the screen.  "Um, I'm princess Makoto de la Joviana," she reintroduces herself.  "We're not involved in any fighting, we're just returning from--" she cuts off abruptly with a frown.  "We're headed to the Moon to speak with the Queen," she says instead, offering a sad and apologetic smile.

Endymion nods at her abrupt change in speech. He could understand the need for secret missions and with it not being his place to ask, did not pursue for details. Besides, he was more interested in other things.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Jovian princess, in spite of the situation," he states with a small formal bow to the screen. "Please extend the same offer of help to the Queen on our part, or if you'd like the company, I can easily extend the offer in person as well."

Makoto considers the offer for a moment, but shakes her head, smiling more brightly.  "Perhaps that would be for the best," she decides.  "Could we arrange to meet in person to discuss what happened?"

"Certainly," Endymion replies with a nod. "Where shall we be meeting then?"

"Oh, we aren't meeting here?" Makoto says, looking slightly distressed.  "Well, I suppose we can land on the moon, then?  I think the spaceport will do -- that's where we landed last time."

"Well, while I would prefer meeting in person, the moon is probably not the best of spots right now," Endymion says before clarifying. "We just left there a while ago so that Genkai-san wouldn't have to focus any of her forces with us while dealing with whatever is attacking the kingdom."

Makoto looks thoughtful for a long, quiet moment.  "We'd lose time going back to Jupiter," she decides.  "We should either meet in space or...."  She trails off, glancing behind her briefly, then turning back and frowning slightly.  "Do you know of a safe location where we can rendevous?"

"We'd lose time going back to Earth as well, and we already know the moon's not safe. I'm afraid meeting here in space is as safe as it gets," the prince responds with an apologetic tone.


ooc: sorry 'bout delay in responding >_>

"Well, that'll do, then," Makoto decides.  "Um, I hope to see you in person in a few minutes."  With that, she turns over the rest of the proceedure to the captain of the vessel, as he is undoubtedly more capable of handling it than she is.

Endymion nods and has the screen turned off, as he waits for the princess' arrival.

A mere ten minutes later, Makoto arrives to Endymion's ship on a shuttle, accompanied by Serenity, Eiko having opted to stay behind. The Earth Prince receives a message that Makoto's shuttle is arriving, an ensign ready to guide him to the docking bay.

Makoto firms her resolve, trying to take comfort in Serenity's presence.  At least she wasn't talking about boys anymore....  Still, she needed to stay vigilant; this would be her chance to study Earthlings, and possibly learn more about where her ... sister had hidden.  Blinking suddenly, as she's about to step into the landing bay, she quickly asks the princess, "Do the Earth people have any special greetings that I should know about?"

"They sometimes give each other flowers," Serenity says, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Though it's usually the boys who give them to the girls, not the other way around."

Makoto nods uneasily, waiting for the Earth people to arrive, and deciding that the flowers can (for the moment) wait.

Endymion soon arrives to the docking station. Though surprised by the extra presence here as well, he gives a polite welcoming bow in greeting as he encounters his two guests. "Welcome to the Divine Wind."

"The Princess of Jupiter I recognize from earlier," he starts with a nod towards the princess.

"But who might you be?" he asks with a smile of Serenity.

"Serenity," the thirteen year old girl replies. "Nice to meet you!"

"Ah," Endymion says with a smile. "Nice to meet you as well, princess Serenity. I am prince Endymion of Earth."

Serenity smiles in return, waving at Endymion.

Makoto nods graciously.  "What can you tell us about what happened?" she asks as politely as possible.  "We were ... on Metis, so we missed much of it."

"Unfortunately, we don't know that much either," Endymion replies, as he tries to recall what he learned from the conversation with Genkai. "I did speak with someone before leaving, and she stated that the attackers had mostly been taken care of. There were a few left that were headed towards us, which prompted our departure from the moon, and that's the last we heard of anything."

Makoto nods thoughtfully.  "We should probably keep an eye out for them, then."  She shakles her head.  "I'm sorry; I shouldn't presume.  Surely you know more about managing your ship than I do.  The question here, then, is, what do you suppose we can do here?

"If there's any assistance I can offer, I'm more than willing to provide," Makoto says, clasping her hands together.

"Thank you. However, just like us, the only help that you can provide is any information," Endymion answers. "Outside of that, I can only think of contacting Genkai-san again, that's the person on the moon that we'd been getting some information from, to get an update."

He pauses before adding, "From there, maybe we can decide what to do. While I don't like just waiting, it might also be the best option, rather than risk the invaders getting their hands on anyone important for blackmail."

The last part is said with a brief glance at the princess.

Makoto blinks, as though the idea had never occured to her.  "Oh," she says quietly.  "Well, if we are to wait, I suppose ... ah, well, there's nothing for it then, is there?

"Um, what shall we do while we wait, then?"  Makoto looks like she's about to start fidgeting, but instead clasps her hands before her.  "Could you tell us of your home, perhaps?" she asks.

"Let's try to contact Genkai-san first," Endymion says as he motions for a crew member to get Iridium to try to contact the moon base from before. "But I'll gladly answer any questions you want."

"Well, you're right," Makoto agrees reluctantly.  "First things first; we'll have time for that latr."

Makoto watches observantly as Endymion and his staff handle the communications equipment, unused to dealing with things like it herself.

"Yes, Prince Endymion?" Genkai asks, once the connection is established. "How may I help you?" Noticing Makoto next to Endymion, she smiles at the girl.

"Hello, Genkai-san," Endymion greets before continuing. "We were wondering if you'd had any luck with the attacking forces since we left, and if it would be at all safe to land now."

Before she catches herself, Makoto actually raises her hand in a small wave to Genkai.  Face coloring slightly, she tries to reassume her demure stance, and listens intently to the conversation between Endymion and Genkai.

"The situation is under control, now," Genkai replies. "You may land, if you wish, Prince Endymion."

Endymion gives a nod, before turning to the princess besides him. "I apologize, it appears I worried you for nothing," he says with an apologetic smile.

"Well, better safe then sorry," Makoto replies pragmatically.  "Since we're all well, we can travel together to the moon, can't we?  Would you care to join us aboard, er, My Dear Baby Girl, Serenity for the trip back to the moon?"

"Your Highness," Genkai cuts into the conversation, looking at Makoto. "Perhaps it would be more prudent to pay the Queen a visit before you land? She is onboard the White Queen, and I'm certain Queen Serenity would be delighted to see you again."

Makoto blushes in embarassment.  "Oh, I hadn't known.  Um, yes, that would probably be a good idea, yes."

"Let's go! Let's go visit mommy!" Princess Serenity exclaims, and grabs Makoto's hand. Waving at Endymion, she takes out a small wand, and the two disappear in a flash of light.

Genkai glances at the prince, and winces visibly. "I apologize for the Princess's rash behavior, Prince Endymion," she says in a sincere tone of voice.

Though a bit startled by the sudden disappearance, he nods to Genkai.

"It's alright," he says, while the corner of his eye continues to stare at the spot where they vanished.

Genkai nods as well. "Would the same VIP runway be alright with you, Prince Endymion? I believe your pilots know the way."

"More than alright," Endymion replies with a smile. "Thank you for your help, Genkai-san. I'll inform the pilots shortly."

Genkai bows, and the connection terminates.

After commands are dispensed, the pilots execute them flawlessly, though they don't seem excited about going back to the place they were forced to flee. Upon landing, Endymion sees a few relatively small craters in the distance, the area surrounding each bustling with activity as people are already trying to fix the damage.

As he surveys the surroundings, Endymion is approached by Major Iridium, who quietly enforms him that General Kunzite has requested his attention on a secure line, pointing the prince towards the captain's quarters where the communique has been redirected.

Endymion nods his thanks to Iridium, before heading to the captain's quarters. Accepting the conection, he asks with a polite tone, "General Kunzite? What can I do for you?"

"My Prince," Kunzite greets him, bowing. "I'm afraid I have some troubling news to tell you. The engineers my aide asked to investigate the wreckage of a strange machine on Lunar surface have deduced that it was created with Earth technology." Kunzite sighs, taking a seat. "What's even more troubling is that such a machine doesn't officially exist."

"Wait, not officially existing?" Endymion asks with a frown before prodding for more details on the technology. "Please explain."

"A secret research project that the military abandoned a few years back," Kunzite replies, shrugging. "Apparently, someone continued it, after all."

Endymion nods, still frowning, before asking. "What can you tell me about the technology in specific? And have you already informed the king?"

"Earth is too far away to safely transmit this sensitive data," Kunzite says, shaking his head. "I'd expect that the King would be interested in plausible deniability. Besides, is it not why Lady Beryl has borrowed a shuttle and left back for Earth?"

Endymion can recall that Beryl has indeed slipped away from the bridge some time back, now that he thinks about it.

Giving another nod, Endymion states, "That's true."

After a brief pause, assuming that Kunzite has nothing else to say, he adds, "Thank you for informing me, General. If anything else turns up from the investigations, let me know if you can. I'll try to do the same with anything I might find."

Kunzite nods curtly in reply. "Of course, My Prince." He taps a control behind the view Endymion has, and the screen goes blank.

Sighing as the screen dies, Endymion rubs his forehead. What a headache. And here this was supposed to have been a 'simple' diplomatic mission. Going back on to the bridge, Endymion goes speak with the major.

"Thank you for screening the call to some place private," he starts to say before moving on to what he really wants to mention. "Since we've already landed safely and we haven't really been told to do anything at the moment, I'll be departing to my room to rest for a bit. If I'm needed for anything, go ahead and come get me."

Iridium salutes to Endymion. "Of course, My Prince."