The shuttle with the Earth engineers departs, the head engineer promising to report his findings to General Kunzite. After seeing it go, Jam and the trio of princesses use the shuttle Minako had provided to travel to Queen Serenity's flagship.
Upon arrival, they are met with a naval officer and an honor guard of marines. "Welcome, Your Highnesses," he says, bowing, adding, "Ma'am," with a nod after casting his eyes at Jam. "I am Commander Allister, this ship's executive officer. The captain extends his invitation to you, though regretfully his duties do no allow him to be here in person to greet you." He steps aside, and continues, "If you would please follow me, I'll take you to the Queen."
"Very well," Rei nods, "Lead the way, commander."
Minako nods and follows the officer.
Ami falls in behind the other two princesses, remaining rather quiet - the days events have tired her out quite a bit.
Jam falls in step, eager to get a glimpse of the Queen (and making sure to analyse potential holes in the Moon's defence system.)
The four are lead to the White Queen's flag bridge by the commander, while the marines trail behind respectfully. The ship's captain is on his own, separate bridge, but Queen Serenity is around to meet them. Smiling warmly, though traces of weariness are visible on her face, the Queen steps towards the princesses.
"We seem to be on top of the situation," she says, giving each princess a grateful look, "in no small part due to your help. The priestesses have combed the capital, and found no further traces of enemy resistance." Serenity shakes her head. "To think that several dozen insurgents would attack us so suddenly, without outside support...."
Turning her head towards Jam, as if only now noticing her, Serenity asks curiously, "And who might you be?"
"Lt. Colonel Jam, your majesty," replies Jam, giving a bow. "I serve as General Kunzites Aide as part of my standard duties, but I have been instructed to accompany these women for a time, as a bodyguard, an informant for questions they may pose about Earth, and as a diplomat, with regard for learning more about your excellent society."
Elaboration never hurt. The more elaborate, the better, really.
Rei shrugs minutely. She really had no clue why Jam was with them - really it was far more likely that the woman was spying on them, but she really couldn't bring herself to care.
Jam seemed nice enough to her, and had helped Minako fight off a few of those perverts, getting rather badly hurt in the process, which made her okay in the Martian Princess' book.
Besides, spying and intrigue sounded pretty interesting to Rei.
"Ah. Okay, then." Serenity nods to herself. "In any case," she continues, turning back towards the princesses, "we know very little about the situation, it seems. Minako mentioned a teleportation device they have been using, and from the reports of what happened in the library, they must have had one there as well. Either that, or some of them managed to guess our intentions and escaped with it before the orbital bombardment."
Picking up a datapad, the Queen checks something on it, nodding once more. "The priestesses patrolling the city haven't seen any signs of further teleportation devices left behind by the enemy... I still have to wonder where they could've come from, though." She pauses, and looks at the four girls. "Is there anything we know about the situation and I've forgotten to mention?"
A flash of white light announces the arrival of Makoto and Princess Serenity to the White Queen's flag bridge.
"Nothing that I am not informed of already, your majesty," replies Jam, respectfully.[/i]
Minako mused out loud, "How many infiltration points could they have? If they're bent on conquest, why so few of them? I can't believe we've seen the last of them."
"They're not bent on conquest, then. Probably--" Before the Queen can continue, she's assaulted by her hyperactive daughter, who glomps her with a squeal.
Ami winces as the squealing princess practically attacks the Queen, inwardly grateful that it at least isn't her this time. She shuffles towards the back of the group quietly, trying to remain out of the Princess Serenity's notice.
Makoto meekly steps into sight, ducking her head in embarassment. "Um...."
The Queen sighs at her daughter's enthusiasm, and shakes her head. "With the immediate threat taken care of and our forces on alert, we might as well plan our responses tomorrow. Commander Allister will show you to VIP guest quarters onboard the ship, girls. Please don't hesitate to ask him for anything you need."
The officer approaches the princesses and Jam, inclining his head at them. "If you'll follow me, Your Highnesses?"
Rei falls in step with Makoto as they get led to the guest quarters. "Did you get everything cleared up back home?" she asks the tall brunette.
Trying to keep her eyes and mind focused from such a long day, Minako obediently follows.
Jam trails after the girls, taking notes on the interior design of the ship.
"Not, exactly," Makoto says hesitantly, unable to meet Rei's eyes. "But ... I'm sure everything will work out!" she adds with obviously false enthusiasm.
"That doesn't sound very good..." Rei says, giving Makoto a concerned look. "But if you need any help, or just someone to talk to, don't hesitate to ask, okay?"
Besides, I bet no matter how bad Mako-chan's problem is, it would be a blessed relief after the crap I've went through today.
Ami trudges along in silence, not really paying attention to any of the other girls.
Please, PLEASE just let me make it to a bed without any more problems...
Each girl is assigned a room, and left to rest with a reminder that the Queen will send for them the next day.
Paranoid Jam starts checking through the room for listening devices and surveillance cameras.
Rei falls onto her bed without bothering to change and falls asleep instantly.
Ami detransforms and crawls into the bed, her dress still filthy from her earlier work on the Millenium Frog - but she's too tired to care. She slips into slumber almost immediately.
"Hey, Tom Cat, don't bother me for at least 20 hours. I'm beat," Minako says to her room, without actually checking for said companion. Having done her duty of the night, or early morning, she falls into bed and tries for sleep.
Makoto sits up in her bed for a few minutes, wondering how Eiko is doing before she finally drifts off and falls asleep.
A knocking sound awakens Ami. Though on a starship, where day and night don't exist in the strictest sense, her watch tells her that it's around four in the afternoon, Lunar time. Then, the knock on her door repeats itself.
OOC: The rest will be summoned in due time....
"Your Highness?" a female voice calls out to Makoto. "Princess? Are you awake?"
Incidentally, with the amount of noise the young woman next to her door is making, trying to continue sleeping would prove difficult for Makoto.
Ami rubs her eyes as she climbs out of her bed - the sheets looking much the worse for wear thanks to her filthy dress. She pads over to the door, hitting the intercom next to the door. "Who is it?"
Of course not, Makoto thinks dryly, wondering just what the noise is all about.
Sighing, and not really able to sleep, yet not motivated enough to rise earlier with everything still going through her mind, she climbs out of bed, still dressed in the nightgown she had changed into prior, and opens the door. "Yes?" she asks, rubbing at the corner of one eye before catching herself, and remembering to try and assume the dignity proper for her new role. "May I help you?" she corrects herself before her guest can speak.
"The Queen has requested your presense, Princess," a male voice answers Ami over the intercom.
-----
Makoto sees a woman in a maid's uniform. Before her guest can reply, though, she is pushed aside by a red-head, who glomps Makoto.
"I told you she'd be up!" Eiko exclaims, smiling at her friend.
The young princess yawns. "Very well, I'll be out in a few minutes."
Leaving the door, Ami begins to search the room for a change of clothes and hopefully a bath.
"Oh! Eiko-chan!" Makoto enthuses, hugging the redhead back. "I was wondering where you went!"
Some fifteen minutes later, after taking a quick shower and getting herself into a set of her ceremonial robes, Ami emerges from her room. She finds her escort still waiting there patiently for her, though a brief flicker of annoyance flashes through his face as he not quite looks down on her. Cutting short on the pleasantries, the cadet leads Ami in the direction of the flag bridge, though they stop before actually getting to it.
"This way," the man escorting the princess says, pointing at a door with an emblem of a silver moon proudly on its center. A pair of priestesses stand guarding it, one on each side of it, and he announces to them, "Princess Ami Hermesia of Mercury to see the Queen."
The priestess to the right glances at Ami curiously, while her colleague presses a jewel on her glove, and speaks into it quietly. Nodding to herself as the answer comes, she bows to Ami, and opens the door. "Her Majesty is expecting you," she says, while the other priestess finally takes her cue and bows as well.
-----
"Oh, I've just stayed onboard the Serenity for a while, that sort of thing," Eiko airily responds. "I mean, what else could I do? Steal a shuttle, fly over to the flagship, board it and beat up lots of guards at the docking bay until I was finally dogpiled, and be pardoned by the Queen, only to discover that it was too late by then to meet you since you've been exhausted and sent to sleep already?" Eiko laughs, and the maid that came with her backs away hesitantly.
Ami smiles and nods to the woman before heading inside to see the Queen.
"Ah, good, you're here," the Queen says, as the door closes behind Ami. The young princess can see that she's alone with Serenity in what appears to be a fairly spartan room, at least for a queen. "I'll cut straight to the chase," she says, directing Ami to a chair with a nod of her head while pacing in front of the only window in the room. "I've received some disturbing reports in the aftermath of the battle, and given you're the most scientifically-inclined of my senshi, I wanted to consult with you first." Serenity suddenly grimaces. "No, that's not completely true. The... experience you've had on Mercury had to do with my choice as well."
The young princess gives the queen a curious look, although rather a pale one at the mention of the events on Mercury. "Of course, Your Majesty - what is it?"
Serenity approaches Ami, and offers her a datapad. On it, Ami can see telemetry data which doesn't make sense at first glance.
"You're looking at what our fleet's sensors registered just before that large explosion," Serenity explains, taking a seat on the edge of the large desk in the room. "We've been very busy at the time, naturally, yet our computers still logged this information, and after hearing the disturbing rumors I mentioned earlier I've had the fleet's analysts go over our recordings in case we found anything just like that."
Ami suddenly realizes that the importance of the data she had been shown is in where it came from -- either Earth of Earth orbit, the best the fleet's computers have been able to deduce with the available sensor data.
"It's good to see you again, Eiko-chan," Makoto repeats, dismissing Eiko's suggestions of the adventure's she's had. "But you're here now, and I imagine it was a very boring wait until they let you back ... are you tired? Hungry?"
Makoto pauses, and considers. Surely the kitchen, even now, would be a haven from her distractions! "I know! Why don't we go to the ship's ... galley. Galley. They call kitchens galleys on ships. But if we go there, I can make you something to eat, if you're hungry!
"Or just make cookies or something, if you're not," Makoto says with a shrug, only remembering at the last minute that she needs to put on more than a shift before heading to the kitchen. "Oh, come in for a moment, Eiko-chan," she adds, hauling the redhead into her room and shutting the door on the maid before changing into something proper for a trip to the kitchen.
Ami narrows her eyes as she studies the sensor data. "How strange... and these readings were obtained just before the explosion..." She studies the electronic pad intently for a moment, then looks up at the Queen. "And you believe this is related... to what happened on Mercury?" she adds, unsure of how secure the Queen's chambers are against prying ears.
Serenity nods. "I find it curious that Miss Beryl had to suddenly leave for Earth while you girls were getting your well-deserved rest. Combined with the readings...."
She shrugs helplessly. "In any case, this matter had been taken out of the fleet's hands. Genkai's trying to decypher the actual bits of conversation we've intercepted, but she isn't optimistic about it. Of course," Serenity continues, smirking, "she's much too straight to try anything but the standard methods of decryption. Her equipment and available software may be light years ahead of anything anyone else has, but the conventional way she's using them...." The Queen trails off, shrugging again. "Perhaps a different approach would have better luck?"
Frowning suddenly, Serenity adds, "Perhaps there are even other clues I've missed. It didn't seem necessary to push for a formal debriefing yesterday, and to call for one today might raise some... concerns. I'd prefer to avoid any rumors on this matter, so soon after we've defended ourselves against an attack that blind-sided us." She looks at Ami levelly. "Would you assume responsibility for this investigation along with the other senshi?"
Ami's mouth works silently for a minute. "M-me? B-but I couldn't... I mean, I'm honored, but why me? Surely one of the other princesses would be better at leading? Of course I'll do all I can to analyze the data, I'm just... I don't think I'd make a very good leader."
She tries to picture the reaction if she tried to give direction to the other princesses she's met so far... while Rei is definitely a wonderful friend, she doesn't think she - or any of the others - are going to react well to being led by someone barely half their age.
"Why not?" Serenity asks curiously. "The other girls could be told about what happened, but you've actually experienced it. Also, it would be a nice test of your abilities. There's more than one way to lead, after all, and I don't believe there'd be a need for you to 'pull rank' in front of the other senshi or order them around."
Sighing, she adds, "Besides, it would be nearly impossible to choose between Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus. Their political standing and qualifications for the job are just about equal, and to pick one over the other.... And then, there's Makoto. I have my reasons not to burden her with organizing this assignment. Outside of the four of you, the other senshi are either not ready or needed elsewhere."
Ami sighs, unwilling to argue with her monarch. "As you wish, Your Majesty. I'll do the best I can." She dips a nervous curtsy to the queen, her robes brushing the floor as she does so.
As she stands, she gives the Queen an inquiring look. "Is there any other relevant information that I should have before we begin the investigation?"
"There is," Serenity replies, pausing then with a grimace. "But it is not mine to share. Good luck, Ami, Sailor Mercury."
"Who would I need to speak to then, Your Majesty?" Ami asks.
"Makoto." Serenity nods to herself. "It's up to Makoto."
Ami nods. "I'll speak with her next, in that case."
Dipping in another curtsy, she begins to leave. "By your leave, your Majesty..."
Serenity nods, and the door behind Ami opens.
-----
"Cookies sound nice," Eiko says, laughing, as she is pulled into Makoto's room, waving at the maid.
Ami sweeps out into the hallway, inquiring from the cadet sent to fetch her the location of Princess Makoto's quarters. Armed with that information, she sets out through the corridors of the ship in the direction of the brunette's quarters.
A short walk later, she stands outside the princess' chambers, hesitating a moment before buzzing the door.
"And ... chocolate chips," Makoto muses, taking a step towards the door and freezing at the sound of the doorbell. "Well," she said slowly, frowning. "You're here ... so who could it be?"
Curious, she opens the door a crack, flinging it open completely when she recognizes Ami. "Ah!" she exclaims, "Ami-chan! Did you come to join us in the kit ... er ... galley?"
Ami smiles at the friendly invitation, then pauses. "...Us? Oh, I'm sorry - I didn't mean to intrude if you had another visitor."
The blue-haired girl is interrupted by a growl from her stomach, causing her to blush. "I suppose I could use a snack.... I haven't eaten since lunchtime yesterday."
Makoto nods, and beams at Eiko. "Well, let's go off, then," she decides. After a moment of standing still, Makoto frowns. "I don't actually know where the galley is. I hope they have signs...."
Tenatively leading the way, Makoto heads for the ship's galley.
Ami trails along behind the two older girls, her tummy's protests becoming more insistent the longer they walk. To make matters worse, this part of the ship seems rather empty - she would have asked for directions if she'd seen someone before now, but...
Makoto wanders through the corridors, looking for the kitch-- er, galley ... or a sign pointing to it, or a crewman who knows the way.
Eiko stops suddenly, and pokes Makoto's side, before sniffing at the air theatrically. "This way," she calls, heading through the maze of corridors towards the ship's galley.
Makoto giggles, glad for the guide. Once the galley is reached, Makoto plans out (in her mind) all sorts of things to cook. That's much easier than thinking about ... well, I should have some time before I have to face that. Saying nothing, she merely offers Ami an encouraging smile.
Ami gives the older princess a hesitant smile in return. She glances over at Eiko briefly as the two women set to work in the kitchen.
I didn't realize how hungry I was... but when am I going to get a chance to talk to Makoto?
Eiko looks around the kitchen curiously, checking her make up in the shiny reflections from the pots hanging all over the place haphazardly.
-----
Jam wakes up, noticing a blinking light on the terminal set on a small table in her room, the telltale sign of a waiting message.
Makoto looks like she's in heaven, her eyes filled with little spatula-shaped sparkles. "It's wonderful!" she coos, before diving into the kitchen headfirst. Cooking was always her favorite escape, when martial arts practice was denied to her, and why change now?
She quickly asesses the ingredients and attempts to assemble a quick snack for Ami to tide her over, and then a small meal for herself, Ami, and Eiko once that's complete, contentedly humming to herself the entire time.
Jam hops up and walks over to the terminal, activating the message..
Ami munches happily on an apple discovered by the cooking princess, mulling over her thoughts.
How exactly am I supposed to ask her? Just come out and say "The queen told me to talk to you about something involving Earth and Metallia but she wouldn't tell me what it was"?
The message is from Kunzite, who congratulates Jam on her efforts to keep Princess Minako safe. It also carries orders to remain where she is for a while longer. Though it's vague, Jam gets the feeling that Kunzite believes the matter of the attack on the Moon still open, and that a need for her skills will arise again.
Jam relays back an 'Orders Recieved' message, then checks herself in the mirror.
Rumpled uniform.. tired face.. ugh. She looks for a wardrobe with something more flattering to get changed into.
All Jam can find are Lunar uniforms, all her size.
Jam gets changed into something fresh, wishing she could put some indicator of her rank on the uniform.
This done, she leaves her quarters and looks around.
A sergeant in a Lunar navy uniform is standing outside of Jam's door. As she walks into the hallway, he glances at her curiously, but remains silent.
Jam glances around her surroundings, and starts hunting for food.
After a few moments of operating a screen on one of the walls, finding it curiously similar to the ones Earth ships use, Jam finds a route towards the ship's galley. There don't seem any other places she could eat at; at least not ones she can find with her guest level of access.
Jam heads to the galley, intent on sampling some of that Lunar cusine. After all, that really was most of the point behind coming on the Lunar mission!
Along with the promotion opportunities..
Rei is awakened by an urgent beeping from her glove.
Rei rolls over onto her back and brings her arm up to her face, tapping the jewel on her forehead.
"Yes?" she says tiredly.
After puttering around in the kitchen, Makoto decides that she's done, and serves Eiko and Ami dumplings in chicken broth, a tray of cookies cooling on the counter for afterwards.
"Okay," she says, setting aside the extra, still unserved portions for later usage. "Let's go sit down and eat while we wait for the cookies to cool."
Ami smiles as she starts in on the dumplings. "Cookies too... you're an amazing chef, Makoto."
"I don't know about that," Makoto says in reply, shrugging. "I just ... well, I had a lot of free time, being so far behind in succession." She blinks at what she says, and grimaces slightly, pushing her meal (half-eaten) away from her. "I'll go check up on those cookies," she says, excusing herself.
After a moment to ensure that they are, in fact, still cooling, she rubs at her eyes, puts on a calm expression, and goes back to rejoin the other two girls.
Ami notices that Makoto seems a bit... distracted. Pausing in the middle of her meal, she turns to look at the older girl. "Are you feeling all right, Makoto?"
"Good afternoon," Genkai's voice comes from the jewel. "I trust you've rested well?"
-----
Eiko gives Makoto a sideways glance, pretending to eat a cookie as she does so.
"It's afternoon?" Rei sits up groggily and looks for a window before recalling that she's on a spaceship. "I guess I slept okay..." the Martian Princess says, wincing at the lack of feeling coming from her feet, still ensconsced in her red high heels. "What are you calling for?"
"Well," Makoto begins hesitantly. "No, no, everything's fine. There's ... something, but you shouldn't worry about it. I think it's something I have to handle on my own."
I wonder if what has her upset is what the Queen wanted me to talk to her about? If it's about.... Metallia, I could definitely understand it being a bit unnerving.
To her fellow princess, she replies. "Well, if you want to talk about it I'd certainly like to listen. Even if I can't help you, it can help just to tell someone else." She looks at her plate for a moment. "I know it helped me."
"Oh, I'm sure it's afternoon somewhere," Genkai replies. "In any case, we've received a request from Prince Endymion's ship to coordinate a meeting between he and the Queen. I was wondering whether you could take care of things on his end."
"Take care of things on his end?" Rei repeats, blinking owlishly. "How do you mean? Do you want me to go to his ship and prep him on Lunar protocol before he meets her Majesty or something?"
Makoto looks hesitant, and then sighs. "It's my sister," she says glumly. "She ... I had a lot of sisters." Shrugging, she pushes a single cookie in circles across a napkin sitting on the table in front of her. "I've ... only one of them is really ... gone, but it's not the same. They...." She sighs again, and smiles awkwardly. "Well, it'll be okay, probably."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Makoto," Ami says sincerely. "Were you close?"
After another moment of hesitation, Makoto admits, "Not as close as I would have liked to be ... and at the same time, maybe closer than I wanted for the others."
"What happened, if you don't mind my asking?" the blue-haired girl continues.
Looking troubled, Makoto confesses, "My sisters ... tried to kill my oldest sister. They ... they DID kill her." She sighs, and lowers her head. "Now I'm the ... the crown princess of Jupiter. And ... one of my sisters escaped." She sniffles slightly. "To Earth," she adds.
Ami looks horrified. "They... why would they do such a thing?" While promotion by assassination was not completely unheard of, it hadn't happened almost since the founding of the Silver Millenium itself.
And one of them escaped to Earth, the relentlessly logical side of her mind prompted. The same Earth that was just mysteriously involved in the destruction of a device on the Moon. Obviously the Queen suspected a connection between the two, or why would she have told me to seek out Makoto?
"What happened to the others? I thought you were the fourth in line to succession- if only one escaped, what about the other two?"
"They are imprisoned," Makoto says quietly. "I ... couldn't bring myself to speak with them."
"You're asked to be our contact with the Earth Prince's delegation, pretty much," Genkai replies to Rei, "and take care of whatever needs he might have while enjoying our hospitality -- within reason, of course. I'm not sure he needs to be briefed on our protocol, and as for how he gets to our ship... that part is entirely up to you. Going over to his ship and escorting him or contacting Prince Endymion and coordinating a meeting with him in one of the White Queen's shuttle bays are both valid options, amongst several others."
"I suppose I can take a shuttle over to his ship," Rei shrugs, "What's the timetable on this meeting?"
"What about the one who escaped to Earth? Do you have any idea why she went there?" Ami asks gently, feeling rather bad about pushing the troubled princess but figuring it must be important if the Queen asked her to do it.
"Eight in the evening, Lunar time," Genkai responds. "It will give Queen Serenity plenty of time to prepare, and allow for a long meeting, should the need arise."
Rei nods while looking around her quarters for a clock to see what time it is now.
Rei easily finds that she has about three hours till the specified time, after looking at a clock on her bedside table.
-----
Jam arrives at the galley, finding it fairly deserted, except for Ami and two girls she hasn't seen before.
Jam glances around the galley, before seeing Ami. Giving her a short wave, she starts poking around the place looking for some already-made food.
When did they serve dinner here, anyway? And just how long was the Lunar day? Jam ransacks her mind for these important details..
"I'll probably need an hour to get ready, then I'll go over to his ship," Rei tells Genkai.
Standing up, Rei looks herself over to see how her many bruises have healed, as that will determine her choice of clothing, and then detransforms into her (hopefully now dry) priestess clothes, then looks around her quarters for something else she can change into.
For the life of her, Jam can't figure out where the wacky Lunarians keep their prepared food, or when they normally eat dinner. She does remember after a few moments that the Lunar day is the same as an Earth day. Or was it the other way around? Something about magic, and balance.
-----
Genkai grunts in reply, and the connection terminates. Left alone, Rei finds that she's only slightly sore, her body free of wounds or bruises. The quarters assigned to her don't seem to have any of her own clothing, though several various outfits she had seen nobles and priestesses wear are hung in a closet.
Making use of the facilities to clean herself up, Rei then gets changed into one of the 'nobility outfits', picking out one in flattering colours.
That done, she exits her quarters and heads straight for the shuttlebay.
Jam starts looking for some unprepared food to prepare.
After a long pause, Makoto sighs, realizing she's probably making the younger princess uncomfortable. "Well, Ami-chan," she says slowly. "I don't honestly know. I can only guess she has a friend there. Or somewhere to hide.
"But she stole something from the Crown Princess -- my eldest sister -- and took it there." Makoto looks uncomfortable admitting this. "That's ... a state secret, Ami-chan. But, anyway. She stole it and took it to Earth ... and it's my job to find it. And her." Makoto looks very upset about this. "But I have to. For Nee-san."
Ami nods. "I understand, Makoto. I think... I think maybe the Queen meant for me to help you, too - or at least work with you." She sighs deeply. "There was an explosion on the Moon during the invasion, and Earth is somehow involved - and from what she told me, I think it may be connected with your sister somehow as well."
"Mmmm," Makoto noises unhappily, rubbing at her temples. "I don't know how it's related," she says quietly, placing her hands neatly in her lap. "But, I do know it's my job to ... find my sister and see that she's brought to justice."
Jam's ears prick up at the mention of Earth.
So they know about that.. but this womans sister? Who is she...
The chef-turned-officer-turned-spy continues to eavesdrop on the conversation..
"I don't know either - I'll admit, I don't see how the two could be related, other than having Earth as a common element in both. But I'll do whatever I can to help you find your sister." Ami smiles sincerely.
Makoto sniffles a bit, then lunges into motion, hugging Ami tightly. "You're such a great friend!" she exclaims. "You, Eiko-chan, Rei-chan, Rika-chan, Serenity-san, and Genkai-san are so awesome! Thank you, Ami-chan." Makoto holds Ami tightly, showing no sign that she wants to let go, even if she did come between Ami and a cookie.
Ami's eyes bulge out a little at the sudden death-glomp, but she manages to smile weakly. "You're welcome, Makoto... but can I breathe now?"
On her way to the shuttle bay she had arrived at the other day, Rei spots several soldiers and technicians, all seem busy with something. Eventually, she reaches the bay, a sentry at the entrance inclining his head in her direction while allowing her entry.
-----
Jam finds a bag of flour and a sack of potatoes, while trying to look for supplies with a divided attention. She figures she could probably make something with them and a few spices she spots nearby... or she could just ask Ami and her friends to share their own lunch.
Makoto eeps, and releases Ami, blushing darkly. "Sorry, Ami-chan," she apologizes.
Entering the shuttlebay, Rei looks around for the officer in charge so she can requisition a craft and a pilot.
The blue-haired princess giggles a little. "It's okay... just surprised me a little, that's all."
Ami finally notices the Earthling that accompanied them up from the Moon looking around the kitchen. "Good afternoon, Miss Jam!" she calls over to the brunette.
"Just Jam will do," replies Jam, walking over to Ami. "Is it that late already? I must have overslept.."
Ami glances over at Makoto. "I think we all did - it's close to five in the afternoon, Lunar time. I have to say I feel much better for the rest though."
She stretches in her seat, then smiles. "Any idea how long you'll be staying with us yet?"
Jam shrugs. "I'm unsure. I'll need to get to a communicator later today to check with General Kunzite, but I don't believe there is a hurry at present."
Makoto nods curiously. "Hello," she says. "I don't remember if we've met before...."
"We wouldn't have," admits Jam. "Unless you've been on Earth before?
Kuradoberi Jam, at your service."
Rei has no difficulties spotting the woman in charge. As she moves towards the lieutenant, the red-headed woman spots her and comes to attention. Her nametag reads Kraut, Rei notices.
"Good afternoon, Lieutenant Kraut," Rei greets the officer. "I require the use of a shuttle and a pilot for a diplomatic mission to the Earth Prince's ship."
"Er, no," Makoto says, shaking her head. "Yet, at any rate."
Jam shrugs. "With some luck, soon trade will be commencing between Earth and the rest of the system," she says. "No doubt tourism will be part of that trade."
The woman nods curtly. "We've been expecting you." She leads Rei towards one of the shuttles, a pair of pilots standing near its entrance. "These gentlemen," she continues, gesturing at them, "would take you where you need to be, Highness."
"Thank you," Rei nods to Kraut before turning to the pilots. "Alright, gentlemen. Shall we be underway?"
The lieutenant steps back, allowing Rei to board the shuttle after its two pilots. The small craft takes off, and takes the princess over to the surface, landing a short distance from Endymion's ship.
"Would you like us to contact the Earth ship?" one of the pilot offers.
----
Endymion is roused from his afternoon nap, and opens his eyes to find a call waiting for him.
"Yes please," Rei nods, "Just let them know of my arrival - although they've probably noticed. They should have already been informed I was coming."
With that, Rei prepares to disembark the shuttle so she can go over and board the Earth ship.
As Rei leaves the shuttle, she hears an affirmatory reply from the pilot she'd been talking with. Traveling towards the Earth ship, she encounters an Earth marine guarding the entrance. He seems bored, but straightens up as she approaches.
"Princess Rei Aresion of Mars," Rei introduces herself to the Marine, "I'm here to meet with Prince Endymion of Earth prior to his meeting with her royal majesty; Queen Serenity."
"Yes, so I've just heard," Prince Endymion states as he steps out from the entrance to meet the princess. As he passes the marine, he turns to look at him. "Please be at ease, she's expected."
Turning back to the princess of Mars, he makes a small bow.
"A pleasure to meet you, Princess Aresion," he starts to say while bowing. Once he raises his head again, he adds, "I would be Prince Endymion of Earth."
"Charmed," Rei curtsies politely. "I have been instructed to prepare you for meeting with Queen Serenity, so if we can relocate to somewhere more comfortable than just standing around out here, I'll do my best to ensure you get the best results from your talks with her Majesty."
'Rathe blunt an to the point, I see,' Endymion thinks while hiding a small smile of amusement.
Nodding in reply, he agrees, "Very well, please follow me, so we can see about getting you comfortable then."
Turning back around, he goes back inside the ship.
Rei nods her acquiesence, following Endymion inside and paying no real attention to her surroundings.
As the two reach an intersection, Endymion pauses, as if deciding where to go, before turning to his guest.
"Where would you feel more comfortable, Princess? We can head either towards a briefing room if you prefer privacy, or towards the dining hall, if you'd like some refreshments while we talk," he asks politely.
"I haven't eaten in a while, actually," Rei admits, "And I am curious about Earth food - the dining room suits me," she nods.
"To the dining hall, then."
Endymion nods as he turns in one direction, and resumes his leisurely pace to the dining hall in silence. The duo quickly arrive, and Endymion grabs the first available seat he sees.
"Here we go," Endymion politely as he pulls out the chair for the princess to sit on. "Would you like a recommendation? I can ask about getting you some form of menu if not."
Giving the Earth Prince a grateful smile, Rei takes the offered seat. "I'll have whatever you're having," she says, deciding to trust in his judgement.
After a chat over a pleasant meal, Rei notices it's almost time to head back.