Starlit Ruins

Prologue

His crimson glare caused her to flinch, betraying fear where arrogant confidence once resided. What was a war of attrition had become unmitigated defeat. 'Beryl, I should send you to the Abyss!' his voice crackled, short of sounding menacing. 'I cannot believe you were defeated by such foolish girls!'

She said nothing.

'You masterminded the destruction of the Moon Kingdom? What will you do next, claim a rock from the ground as your pet?'

Resentment became clear in her eyes.

'A child! Uraki-Ayo-sama, that girl - Usagi! - she was no child! She had the ginzuishou.'

'Dispense with my name, foul woman!' he growled and struck her to the marble floor. She fell with practiced ease, defiance unfeigned in her eyes when she raised them to his. 'Know your place! Impertinent creature. That you should be spared is beyond my comprehension.'

She sighed internally, relieved, but did not relax. Midnight tones around them shimmered with dark streaks of blue and red light, indicating the strong presence of the NegaForce. Her shelter of purpose was now the promise of nightmares made reality.

'You will not be allowed to fail again,' he began, getting to his feet awkwardly with the aid of his staff. 'Of that you may be certain.'

She began to tremble, not revelling in the notion of eternal sleep, or service to him. Stubbornly, she assessed herself. Being reduced to less than atoms did little for comfort. Regaining the strength to merely stand took several long, anger inducing minutes.

Her wavy, waist length red hair appeared flawless, despite her literal physical reconstruction. While the robe did cover her body, only her stiffly unemotional face could mask the agony she had been subjected to under the possession of Galaxia.

'It was foolish of you to let yourself become possessed by Galaxia as you did. To reach that point optimizes your defeat. Pah!' he spat.

'And you would question Galaxia!'

'Question!' he flared, a bright red aura flashing about him briefly. 'By whose whim do you preside? This tirade is utter foolishness!'

'My foe, the senshi…' she muttered, curling up inside.

'They were never yours, woman,' he intoned and broke into her personal space, heat of his breath on her chin. 'You will leave now and await Galaxia.'

She looked back at him, gaze steady, yet indomitably furious. Even as she thought to speak, her mouth formed not a single sound. He did not relent, determined to bury her pride. Finally, her eyes fell, and her head bowed. She said softly, 'I obey.'

He paused, knowing she would not leave immediately, so he baited her. Turning eyes away, too, then back and when he grew restless, his back to her. With a click of some verbal cue he said, 'Go.'

Her well-figured form faded into darkness with a pitiful scowl upon her face. He grinned, waved a hand in the air and declared, 'Deposed one, witness my rule.'

@~%~~~

'Mercury, no!' Sailor Moon cried as her friend jumped at the flame lion that had appeared out of the strange portal only minutes before.

'I won't let you hurt my friends!' the blue haired sailor suited warrior declared. Shabon Spray Freezing!

A cold wind blew across the park, where they had happened into the shimmering blue gateway. As the icy uttering swept nearby trees, their leaves froze, losing their earlier animation. The flame lion stood, the intensity of its fiery coat waning under the frigid attack of Mercury's summoning.

The lion had yet to speak; its first cry foreboding thunder predicting the child of cruel war. Mercury could no more avoid leaping claw and snapping teeth than the comprehension of its declaration. She fell limp to the ground, teeth caught in the shoulder of her ragdoll body.

Supreme Thunder! came a voice. A flash of light seized the already fazed flame beast, which dropped Mercury's motionless frame.

'Jupiter!' exclaimed the blond haired leader of the senshi.

'I couldn't let that Nega-creep get the best of you, I…' her voice faltered as she took stock of why her friend had not moved to help Mercury. Sailor Moon looked up at Jupiter, tears trailing down her face. In her arms she held a badly wounded Mars.

'Th-that…' Jupiter stammered as she knelt down next to Sailor Moon. Mars' eyes trembled as they opened again, and came to regard Jupiter.

'Makoto…' she breathed.

'What happened…?'

'The… lion came through that,' Usagi supplied in hushed tones as she pointed to the portal, 'and attacked us… we barely had time to transform…!'

Sailor Jupiter merely bowed her head for a moment, before raising it again and standing. Her eyes glowered angrily under the brown locks and ponytail of her hair.

'Jupiter! Wait! I'll help you,' Mina ran up to stand next to her, her long straight blond hair flowing out behind her.

Jupiter simply nodded, looking deeply wronged and darkly intense. Mina regarded her friend for a moment, noting uneasily that she could not remember her seeming so fierce.

Mina raised her hand, her transformation pen turning aside it before it closed as she said, Venus Star Power - Make Up!

Moments later, that same voice rang out: Crescent Beam!

Just as the yellow beam sought the flame lion, it began to change color. It came to match the tinge of the flame lion, which had turned a dull sapphire. The sliver of blue light touched the lion, and as it did, Venus screamed.

'Venus!' Jupiter cried, eyes wide.

'No!!' Usagi shrieked, and burst into passionate tears.

Venus stood, her face transfixed in an expression of pain, before her form wavered and faded in a nimbus of blue light. A sapphire point of light appeared and hung in mid-air. The breach in reality expanded, forming an oval portal. Jupiter looked aghast, as she noted Mina, gazing helplessly at them.

'Okay Nega-jerk, you're going to get moon-dusted!' Jupiter snarled. Sparkling Wide Pressure!

A brilliant shard of electric blue light oriented on the flame lion as Jupiter gave a powerful underhand motion. Before she had even completed the arc, the lion roared, and the shard halted. Jupiter gasped, all at once astonished and scared. There was a moment of silence, and Jupiter screamed.

'Jupiter!'

Before Usagi could utter another word in desperation, the lion gave out another low war cry. The blue portal uttered out, grasping the forms within reach. Usagi held tightly to the badly wounded Mars, determined not to let her go.

Each of the five Sailors fought against the consuming blue light as it gripped them. Moments passed, and the struggle reigned. Mercury dropped to her knees, her shimmering transparent form falling unconscious.

'Ngggh… Mercury!' Usagi managed tensely. She grit her teeth as pain wracked her body. Mina fell, no longer able to hold against the force that struggled to overwhelm her. Usagi found she could not even cry out at her friend's collapse. Somehow, she felt that this was one battle that the senshi might not win.

'I'm so sorry Sailor M—uunn,' Jupiter gave, and fell to her knees, her strength failing her.

Usagi winced against the blue light, the grasping blue portal. She felt the fight leaving her as a warm faint feeling began to consume her.

As Mars slipped from her arms, taken by unseen hands, Usagi found that she lacked the strength to struggle. She held for a moment, but her fingers slipped easily. She fell forward, darkness grasping her mind.

As felines always do, the deep blue flame lion appeared to grin. If one was to pay attention, one might hear a low chuckle rise in its throat. As the portal took the last of the Sailor Senshi into it's frame, it faded, and disappeared, leaving only the stale evening breeze alone in the darkness of the evening.

Chapter 1

Escape Atlantis

Time. Probably one of the most alien and familiar aspects of life. Something to which many feelings have been ascribed. At this particular moment, laborious, unyielding, unsympathetic, unmerciful, and foremost both responsible and not. Yet, to the five anxiety-laden young women, there was a sheer gratefulness. They were alive.

Consciousness, to the young Princess Tsukino Usagi, had returned during what appeared to be a stunningly glorious midday. They lay somewhat precariously strewn about the edge of a densely populated oil painting-like forest of rich jades and deep coppery earth tones against a soft butter-yellow and crystal blue sky.

'Usagi-chan…'

It was Mina, her beach-blond waist length hair slipped over her white and blue sailor school suited smooth shoulders. She helped the wounded, fatigued young leader sit up, who winced and gasped out at the echoed pain of several cracked ribs.

'Mina-chan…? Are you okay?'

'Ow! Um, I guess,' she muttered, grasping her rib cage. Dully, and oddly, she knew now would not be the appropriate moment to burst into tears.

Altogether unusually selfless.

'You okay…?' she asked faintly, biting back the powerful urge to cry.

Mina nodded slowly. Her gaze wandered over the others, who sat in a very small circle, including the previously near fatally wounded raven haired priestess, Hino Rei.

'Rei-chan!' she called, running her hands over a few of the multitude of bruises by which she was marked. The recepient nodded, her lips tightening into a compressed line as their gazes met. She nimbly pulled back a collection of her thick, well-kempt hair which hung loosely, albeit messily, over her left shoulder.

'You almost died!' she wailed, running over to her and hugging her desperately. 'What happened?!'

'I don't know!' she barked, shoving her back slightly. 'Get off me Usagi-chan!'

'I'm sorry,' she sniffled. 'I just…'

'I know…' she replied with a heavy sigh.

Usagi plunked herself amongst her friends, somehow feeling very distant, even though she could easily lay her hand upon any of them just then.

'Where are we?' Makoto half-growled, eyes darting.

Ami played her delicate fingers over her compact computer. A stricken look bent her thin eyebrows, and twisted her small mouth in a deeply ingrained frown.

'We're not home… um, I mean, on Earth, Usagi-chan. Whatever that portal was… it took us away.'

'We should transform,' she noted, running her fingers through on of the thick, tangled length of distinctly unique hair.

'We can't. At least, I couldn't. I don't know if it's because our powers won't work here, or if we're all too scared.'

Makoto frowned sternly, standing, and grasping her transformation pen.

'Scared? Who said I was scared?! They can go to bloody blazes!' She paused, then remarked, 'Uh, whoever they are… anyway…'

She then raised her arm and proclaimed: 'Sailor Jupiter - Make Up!'

The girls stared on as her second stage transformation introduced the power of her senshi title as uniform, something they had until then thought impossible.

'It does matter,' Rei negated. 'You can't possibly have enough power to teleport us all home.'

'Why don't you try?' she barked, eyes narrowed as she faced her, hands upon her impressive hips.

'I…'

Hesitantly, she stood, taking her red handled pen in hands, and gazing at it brief before raising it and calling: 'Sailor Mars - Make Up!'

Her mystic metamorphosis transcended her lack of confidence, bringing her the somewhat waned semblence of her heroically proven alter ego. Then, as they looked on, her white and red uniform shimmered and retreated as she collapsed to the soft grassy earth. Tearily, she shook her head, huddling against Ami, who hugged her comfortingly.

'I'm sorry… so sorry!' she cried, voice wavering.

Abruptly, as Usagi approached Rei to lend her support and soft words, a stunning blast threw her to the unyielding earth.

'Iye!' Jupiter snarled, whirling to face the enemy, and froze in abject horror. It was no more than a second that she stared upon the futuristic saucer-like airborne barge, upon which was a snake-like creature surrounded by four lovely grey body-suited young women. The nearest, despite the eye masking silver-grey helmet upon her head, fired an energy bolt from what looked like a wrist mounted weapon. Makoto barely dodged this, and gave out a cry as Mina crumbled to the ground at the impact of the weapon fired by the strange woman next to her.

'Supreme Thunder!'

The shard of electric force struck and rocked the barge, after which plain, simple attacks from the strange women brought down the remained senshi. In a blind rage, Jupiter leap at the alien vessel, and folded, dropping like a heap of stones as she was knocked aside by twin flashes of energy.

Gazing faintly at the barge as it hovered over them, she felt weakness draw her to a dark, cool place.

@~%~~~

Over a crystal of turquoise, a woman marred by the violence of fist, whip, and neural mace raised her closed fist to the middle of her chest, her heart, and bowed her head.

Sivil-san!

The young battered dirty blond snapped her head towards the voice as she tapped a switch hidden in her wrist, a cool, unruffled look sharing the address with the faintly attractive features of her face. The crystal faded to what might have been an alternate reality. Her voice was calm, none of the abundant tension she felt evident in her manner.

Yes, Usagi-chan?

My friends, my… Team? Is that even right anymore? Um, they're ready. Are… the pig-tailed blond paused, her eyes wandering helplessly. Are we going to leave?

Sivil nodded firmly. Yes. We must. Do the clothes fit?

Was there nothing remaining of which she was uncertain? Reluctantly, she succumbed to this truth, internally. Wistfully, she nodded, running her fingers over the icy silver silk cat suit. Concern lit upon Sivil's pleasant, yet hard face. How are you doing?

We're alive, she stated softly in the somewhat awkward verbal conjugation of English, as if the fact surprised her.

No, she negated. I mean you, Usagi. Maybe you should talk to them. Before we go.

She shrugged absently.

They need you, Sivil stated. There's no one else to lead them. They depend on you.

Usagi's sapphire eyes reached for her, and set steadily upon her. A momentary focus flickered.

How do you know that?

Sivil froze in word and deed for an instant before allowing herself to speak. It's obvious. You're a natural leader.

Usagi shook the husk of recent pain for a moment while she bristled with pride. Really? You think so?

Yes Usagi, I really do, and gentle smile broke the mask of stalwart emotional death. For a moment she considered the young woman, before letting her words travel forth. 'Do you need time?'

Do we have time? The pride dropped and scurried into a darkened recess of her consciousness, not to be forgotten.

Long enough. Her facade of strength returned, eyes averted slightly.

How long is that? she nearly whined, sounding frightened.

Just tell me when you're ready to go, she stated, turning away, leaving the matter closed.

Saying nothing, Usagi retreated from the room. This woman, this light offering hope, one destroyed when they arrived here, when it became clear their situation, was an odd creature. There was a silhouette of death standing beside her, a dismal shadow drawing Usagi short of confidence. It had been hard to give up. To submit to the Splugorth Slaver. No, that had not been difficult. When it came down it, they never did. What had it been? Painful. To watch her friends as their strength failed, as their training faltered. To see that Luna and Artemis were gone, that she could not reach Mamoru again, that he could not protect her, nor touch her again.

That was the most dramatic point. Fear. Of everything.

'Usagi-chan? What did she say?' Ami's voice and language of body spoke of her demure nature, as ever, yet there was an additional anxiety to her. Usagi waved her off, sitting with mildly graceful motions in a small circle of cushions. Silently, she bid the others join her. Slowly, they did, each in a varied state of a theme in mind and soul.

Makoto, as the fury and strength of the Sailor Senshi, looked beaten, as the others, yet she remained unshaken, powerful. To Usagi it was clear that she would be the last to fall. Ami's battered form - slender as a cat, despite any mistreatment - betrayed her nature: The intellectual whiz kid with brains where brawn was inappropriate. In comparison, the two made a sharp contrast. While the Ami seemed to be faring well, she was far from the most resilient of the Senshi, and was the first likely to crumble. Watching the fire and heart of the team, Rei and Mina, it was plain they had been hurt. Why she placed the two together did not occur until she noted that they spent more than coincidental amounts of time exchanging shamed and scared glances.

'Rei… nani honto-wa?' Usagi's sudden question was sharp, and each of the four girls emitted a short gasp.

'Gomen nasai, Usagi-chan,' she apologized softly, not willing to elaborate, eyes downcast.

'Mina?' Usagi prodded, turning to the most experienced Sailor Senshi.

The golden blond felt herself wanting to flee, and that her eyes fled from Usagi's gaze. 'Rei and I, we… we…' she was trembling, forcing down her reaction. 'No, nevermind.'

The two shared a deep, telling look and Usagi blinked, worried and lost. All she could do was apologize. 'Gomen. Gomen nasai, Rei-chan, Mina-chan,' Usagi muttered in reply. After several minutes of intimate silence, she spoke, drawing out the situation. 'What will we do? Ami? Do you think we can make it back?'

Ami flinched self-consciously. Realizing she was reasonably safe, she nodded, and retrieved her miniature computer. Opening the pink make-up case, she noted - as if to herself, 'I've already done the calculations. If we can… well… um…' her ammunition was cut short. Her serene blue eyes descended into sorrow. 'I don't know. We should be able to, if we can get a hold of some magic stuff. Maybe some scrolls for something. Teleportation, or… maybe… I don't know.'

Makoto piped up, 'But we can't use magic! We don't know how.'

An emotionally darkened hmm selected one girl, then moved through each once, before dying in a faintly off-key chorus.

'I'll try to learn,' Mina determined. 'As Sailor V I ran into a couple demons who used the stuff. Cancelling their summoning spell was the only way I beat them.'

They all handed her an amazed stare. She blushed, embarrassed.

'Well… you never asked…' she replied with a weak chuckle.

'Anyone have any idea, um, what we need?'

Each shook her head in turn as determined by Usagi's questioning gaze.

'Usagi-chan,' Ami half-whispered, trembling eyes upon the owner of the name. 'A-are we going to make it? I-I… I m-mean home.'

By silence, she admitted uneasily her uncertainty. She got to her feet, expending energy she felt beyond her.

'I've got to… Um, I should tell Sivil we're going.' No, she thought, ready isn't the right word.

Sivil said nothing, merely nodding when faced by Usagi. Proceeding through the hush and aphony of Atlantis' back alleys and tunnels, words became necessary only in caution, usually at the behest of Sivil.

@~%~~~

Usagi, for once, was paying attention, and noted that this woman's knowledge was great. What was it she had said? A slave of ten years? And not sold? She lacked the time to inquire, and wondered how much truth belonged to the words at any cost. Even at that of their lives.

Atlantis was beautiful, flawless in appearance, if only to hide… no, she paused. The Splugorth did not seem to be concerned in the least of their phantasmagoria, the swatch of evil that permeated every structure of the formerly lost realm. They did not hide their deeds, the slave trading, the domination of races, the atrocities of their existence. The sky explained the method of the ideal dream, while below it was disregarded for carnal pleasures, and other inequities.

Hold up, Sivil whispered. That's it, we're here.

Usagi laid a hand upon the tunnel wall, panting dry heaves, while the others took to recovering their winds. Beyond the shadow of metal crate lay an endless expanse of water, and a gleaming, thrumming dock wrapped tightly to the edge of the city-island.

What? Usagi half-muttered.

Sivil turned to her sternly, eyes narrowed, brows knotted. Hush! This is the crucial point. We need a little ship, a scow, or maybe a freighter. Something!

Her eyes sailed the opportune vessels, each the prodigy of modern technology. Unfortunately, every one of them was crawling with guards, Over and Power-Lords, among other Splugorth.

Fine, she determined, wrenching herself to the decision. There's no other way.

Face set with a dispassionate glare, she swiveled to Usagi. I need you to head to that ship, she stated, indicating a crippled looking little freighter.

Trepidation swam in Usagi. But… Why Sivil-san?

'Don't question, just go. When you reach Japan, just look for a little shop called Conroy's Cybernetics. Give them this." She produced a tiny jade crystal, shoved it into Usagi's open palm and closed it with the other. She then stepped out of the tunnel, not looking back.

No, Sivil-san! You can't!

A serene expression declared itself, and was offered to Usagi in Sivil's face as she gazed backwards. Go!

Usagi felt tears well as the young woman brought forth the pace of a run, heading directly for the required distraction.

'Usagi,' Makoto urged, touching her shoulder. 'C'mon.'

Lethargic, she agreed, feeling vaguely numbed.

Gazing behind her, she thought: I'm sorry Usagi. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to know you better. I'm sorry for what I have to do, but you'll later thank me.

She swiftly placed herself in the blind spot of a five-foot tall being of stony skin, tail, claw, and asymmetrically armoured figure. The tripod of eyes failed to perceive her, while the unseen nose detected her scent. She buried her repulsion with the greater need; save the Senshi.

'Hi-ha!' she snapped, taking an arm by the hand and flipping the inhuman weight over her stiffened shoulder. The creature grasped her with the fourth member of a quad of limbs as it flipped nimbly to land upon the pair of armored legs. Hauled in the reverse of the preferred direction by thin lengths of hair, she stumbled backwards, twisting to face it. The slender beast uttered a low whining growl, striking her with a clawed hand.

She cried out as the fingers bit into rib and lung.

'Sivil!' Usagi screamed desperately, stopping her flight for the freighter.

'Usagi-chan iye!' Makoto grabbed her shoulder, spurning her onwards, tossing her roughly behind the crates just within the door of the sea bound vessel.

Another cry flew from the mouth of the doomed young woman while other Splugorth approached.

Escaped human slave! Kill it!

'Sivi…' her words were cut off by a swift motion drawing her face to the side, and causing a red welt to display upon her cheek. Makoto glared at her.

'Don't! You'll attract their attention!' Anger inducing fear clenched Makoto's jaw and tensed the muscles of her face.

Shocked, she sat down. 'Makoto…?'

Looking on, amazed, the others saw the brawn of the Senshi made a harsh gesture for silence. The cacophony beyond the open loading doors fell away as Sivil's screams halted. The violence hardened brunette winced at the sickly pronouncement of death; an audible dissection of flesh and bone.

'Oh… by the Goddess,' Usagi sobbed, burying her face in her hands, knees drawn to her seated body. Mute empathy held the team, and brought them to sit, hide and cower in the silver of hope provided by the death.

Chronos visited, wandering the room with Silence, who explained Nothing, who agreed wholeheartedly with the other two. Silence found herself cut off by the introduction of Sound as a low, rumbling, strangely calming and quiet hum. Makoto stood, and began wandering the storage bay, searching for… well, anything. Preferably weapons. She returned in short order with blankets, a few packages of rations, and an odd looking pistol.

'What do we do when the ship docks?' Ami asked hesitantly. Usagi looked surprised as she curled up in the yellow tinted cloth covering. The short blue haired girl usually had more answers than she did questions.

'We get off,' Makoto supplied shortly. 'Then get away. The Splugorth won't catch us again. Anyone who gets in our way will have to deal with me.' She hefted the pistol.

'I wouldn't use that unless someone attacks us first,' Rei observed quietly. 'We don't even know what it does!'

'I doubt that weapon is not powerful enough to kill,' Ami said in an uncharacteristically obvious statement. The other three nodded agreement as she bit into a portion of ration, then spat, grimacing.

'Usagi-chan?' Mina asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. 'You okay?'

Usagi looked at Mina, a frightened distance in her eyes.

'I… wish Sivil hadn't died,' she said. 'I wish Luna was here.'

They had all been struck by the reality of that loss. Luna had not come through the portal with them.

'Ami-chan, it's all right. You're doing the best you can,' Usagi offered consolingly.

The youngest of the five nodded weakly, trembling slightly. The rest of the trip had given way to Sound as moving water, and the uncomfortable realization of uncertainty of the future. They had docked some hours later. Makoto woke everyone, aside from Usagi, who had been too scared to sleep.

'You going to be alright?' Mina had asked as they had prepared to leave. Her pale orange cat suit accented her trim figure as she moved gracefully toward Usagi.

Usagi nodded, not sure of the truth of it.

'Let's go,' she distracted. 'We'd better do this before it's too late.' Or before I give in to fear.

Makoto formed the head of the line, with Ami behind her, Usagi in the middle, for the protection, following back to Mina, and Rei at the end. They followed a line of crates off the ship, and after some time, managed to reach the dock were they could see a town at the edge. Freedom had never seemed closer since their arrival here!

Halt! A tall white-faced overlord bellowed deeply from a deck aboard the ship.

Makoto turned, rage afire within her, and realizing a perfect outlet.

Not a chance buster! she snarled. Without hesitation, she raised the pistol and pointed it at the OverLord.

Seize them! The OverLord did not appear to be terribly troubled by Makoto's weapon, or where it was aimed. A half dozen blind warrior women, on the other hand, seemed quite concerned. So concerned, in fact, that they rushed the five girls simultaneously.

Transform…! Usagi commanded with little conviction. Without Luna there was no one but her to give the orders. Her first thought was of their senshi powers. She was not sure if their transformation pens would work - especially in the light of past evidence - but the chance for freedom was so clear.

One by one, each respective Sailor Senshi replaced the five human girls. There was a discrepancy that Usagi noted with ill ease. Each uniform had appeared, but without the usual transformation energies. Due to the speedy approach of the blind women, Usagi did not have the time to ponder the matter. She was just barely able to dodge a blast from a weapon much like Makoto's. Ami was the first to attempt the utilization of her powers.

Shabon Spray! she called in English, crossing her arms in front of her, then pushing the bubbles forth as they appeared in one motion. The bubbles dispersed, creating a heavy fog. The women did not stop, nor did they even slow, uninhibited by the normally visually inhibiting attack. She thought, it’s not affecting them!

Usagi called out a rapid succession of orders, mainly of attack and retreat. As the battle ensued, it appeared that they were winning. Two of the six blind warrior women remained standing. Only Ami and Rei and fallen on their side. Usagi shouted for Jupiter to grab Mercury, and Venus to grab Mars, they were going to retreat.

A shot came out of the blue and hit Usagi in the upper arm, near her shoulder. A brilliant flash of pain burned, Usagi cried out in agony. Mina screamed, 'your arm!'

As the pain ebbed, Usagi looked for her left arm. A gut wrenching shock tore through her midsection: It was gone! There was a great, dark looking burn from which the pain still stemmed. A blackness wrapped itself around Usagi's mind.

@~%~~~

The face of a violently weathered young woman flicked into existence before his wearied eyes. She squinted for a moment, then straightened her back and winced as she squared her shoulders. Her hair was matted with grease and dirt, her face a mesh of bruises, scars, and fresh lacerations.

Date: 35853.6. Sergeant Silver, this phase of the mission has succeeded without error. The collective emotional state of the Sailor Soldiers - she paused to nod to something off screen - is fearful, uncertain, and hopeful. Their experience conforms to the specifications provided. We have remained here for twenty-four hours, and are about to proceed. With any luck, I will return alive. If not, I pray to die with honor to the service.

She signed off with a customary salute before the image departed to the null of cyberspace.

Lt. Nira was later slain in the escape, though the Sailor Soldiers were able to stow away aboard a cargo vessel bound for Japan, the icy tones of a screen-bound plain-faced young woman elaborated.

He bowed his head and breathed a shallow sigh.

Location?

Currently unknown. It is assumed that the Soldiers landed safely in Japan.

Never assume anything, he stated, adamant. Send a scout team to investigate the matter. Immediately.

Yes sir, the woman represented in the screen bowed her head slightly. Will there be anything else?

Yes. Notify our global contacts. We cannot afford to waste time.

Chapter 2

Rapt Prey

She could no longer recall how long she had been running. A glance backwards told her that pursuit had dropped off. Exhausted, she dropped her knees, her mind a blur. She struggled against her fatigue even as the resurgence of pain brought her mind to a warm vertigo.

Who am I running from? Recollection failed, she was having a hard time thinking straight. Two days of running had not helped. Hunger drew her consciousness to a focus again, as it had done several times over the last forty-eight hours. Dully she remembered. She was running from a strange man in black armor. He had called himself Cage.

Not terribly inventive, she noted.

He had proclaimed that he wanted to protect her. His obvious efforts at capture had not exactly inspired the young girl's confidence. She glanced down at her torn outfit. Transforming to Sailor Mercury had not helped, much. She had been able to use her Shabon Spray to confuse them for her escape. She shook her head weakly, it had not helped at all. They seemed to be able to follow her anywhere. This strange environment had displayed more advanced technology than she thought could have existed. Even if she had her computer, she doubted it would have proved to be of any assistance.

Well, she thought, I am not without my resources. I've made it this far, haven't I? The effectiveness of the thought ceased. Why? With Usagi and others gone, what good is it to run?

Of that she was not yet sure. From what she could ascertain, this was Earth. She determined that she was no longer in Japan. Somehow the explosion had resulted in a teleportation of some kind. The thought that she might teleport back to where she came fell strictly to chance. First of all, she had no idea where she was, and secondly, none further of where she was going. Beyond even this, she knew herself to be lacking the necessary strength for such an action. So if it was random teleportation, as they had not arrived together at the terminating point of the transport, which meant the others could be six ways from the moon. There was no way of telling where they were. With a dull gaze, she looked about, trying to figure out where her feet had taken her. She felt a stale warm breeze wash over her, making her feel nauseous, and adding an undesired soporific effect to an already depressing day. She was at the edge of both hope, and what seemed to be a very poor, and rather dismal looking village.

She staggered as she stood, her senshi enhanced strength waned under her human weakness. As she walked, her mind wandered listlessly over the past several days of her life. Even though she tried to forget Atlantis, she could not help but dwell on it. What was it? Maybe there was something she was missing that could help her? Perhaps it was just a morbid fascination with the former legend, and the pain it had brought to her life.

She had always thought the world of Atlantis to be one of greater enlightenment, and advanced knowledge. As a part time bibliophile, she was always searching for more knowledge. It was from that search she had gained a romanticized view of the legendary Atlantis. That hope had been brutally dashed when she had learned of the true nature of the inhabitants of the archaic continent. They had turned out to be a race of slavers. Well, perhaps a single race was an inaccurate word. She knew they were called Splugorth, but it did not seem to have to do with their appearance or genetic structure. Ami was sure there was one intelligence behind the Splugorth, with the rest of the operatives being obedient races, and those perhaps with a debt to their servitors, or whatever the case.

She shook her head again, trying to keep awake. Hunger was no longer staying her fatigue. She entered the town at a pace that resembled a crawl, finding it difficult to muster energy for a more substantial effort. Nearby people noticed her, but kept their distance, as if unsure of her existence. Many regarded her as some kind of illusion, then turned away to continue on with their lives. Others appeared to be concerned, but lacked the nerve to approach the haggard looking young woman. In return, she merely ignored them, or at least tried to. After the resulting submission, and violence of Atlantis, somehow she was not compelled to plead for assistance, even though she was sure she would die without it.

Another woman, however, seemed to lack the fear of those about her. She was a sharply dressed contrast to the poor look of the inhabitants of the town, which swarmed about her as she approached Ami. It seemed obvious to her that the woman was an outsider, a traveler of some sort. She certainly did not live in this god-awful town.

In one slender, soft hand, she held a canteen, the other a rather tempting slab of cheese. Ami just stood for several minutes, staring at the food as if it was entirely alien to her. She reached towards it, and hesitated, gazing at the woman who offered it to her.

'Gomen nasai, wakarimasen,' Mercury muttered faintly. So sorry, I don't understand.

'Nihon go ga hanase-masen,' the woman replied softly; I don't speak Japanese. She thought apologetically, but I do want to save your life. Too bad I can't tell you that outright… "Mizu, um… water. I've got water, and food. Dozo. Please, eat."

'Ah, so desu.' With a deft nod, and a weak 'Hai' the food disappeared, and Ami attacked it ravenously.

'Namu ka Allison,' she said with a slight gasp. "Do you speak… uh… English? Wakarimasu ka? English?" she gestured to her mouth as she spoke, hoping to get the point across.

With a vague grin, she nodded. Yes. I do, pretty well.

Cripes. Then why didn't you just… she glanced down for a moment, then sighed. Oh.

Right.

You haven't eaten in while, I guess. What's your name?

Two days, she muttered with a heavy Japanese accent between bites. Ami.

Allison looked shocked. Her eyes traveled down Ami's bruise marked, and ill-clothed frame. Then her face set in a concentrated look as she slipped off her knapsack, opened it, and began searching through it. After several seconds of rummaging, she pulled out a dark blue robe. She handed it to Ami. Having finished the cheese, and water, Ami just watched the woman like a wild animal; wary, and uncertain. Again, she was hesitant.

There was a clearly questioning expression on her face as Allison offered the robe. With an affirmative nod, she watched Ami put it on. The care with which she donned the covering betrayed her refined nature. She slipped the heavy hood over her short blue haired head. Noticing her gaze, she did not smile. She just bowed stiffly and turned away slowly.

Where will you go? Allison asked boldly.

The young woman paused, and turned back.

Why do you care?

It's not personal, if that's any comfort, she replied. Keep walking, I'll leave you alone.

Ami considered this. It was possible that Allison had ulterior motives, she found that she almost could not think to care. Her vision swam before her.

Uh—unnn. She took two shaky steps, then fell into her arms, unconscious.

@~%~~~

Ami?

The voice was not much more than a whisper. Warmth blurred vividly in her mind, and she recollected having fainted. She opened her eyes. The sun was up, and she shut her eyes quickly as the light of it blinded her. She uttered out slightly at the attack.

Oh good, you're awake! You've been out for a while. Almost two days, Allison helpfully supplied. Ami opened her eyes slowly, dark afterimages dancing in her vision. She blinked, unsuccessfully trying to get rid of them.

Are you hungry? she asked as Ami glanced at her, and at their surroundings. They were in a poorly built, and lit, bedroom. The walls were composed of loosely placed panels of wood. The bed consisted of straw, and she felt her back cry out in agony in testimony to the stiffness of it. Ami's mind balked; sun? A makeshift hole in the roof had been covered with some kind of transparent material. It looked as though the hole had resulted from a fall, or battle of some sort, rather than by the plans of the individual who constructed this place.

Yes, Ami nodded slightly, eager to sate her hunger. Allison produced a large piece of cheese, and several other items, which she quickly pieced together to form a sandwich. Ami ravenously accepted the feast.

Allison could only watch as this plainly wan girl polished off her sandwich in not much more than a dozen bites. Allison put together another, hoping to sate her appetite. It was evident to Allison that this girl had been taken for slavery. She bore the marks of a slave; her back scarred, her wrists and ankles raw. Also, the two long claw scars on her face. Fairly recent, she surmised. Ami's health was in such a state that she was not likely to retaliate. Allison knew that included her mental health, as well. Her feet had been bleeding when she had tended them. More importantly, she bore the marks of an Atlantean slave. Allison had flushed a symbiotic organism from Ami's system.

Thank heavens for Shi-Con tech, she thought.

Allison observed her finish off a third sandwich, and her second glass of ale. Finally, she felt she could inquire; Who are you? How did you escape from Atlantis?

She paused eating and swallowed before speaking. I am Ami Mizuno. I was helped by one who claimed to be my friend.

What happened?

Nothing. We escaped. Her tone was measured, her eyes narrowed slightly, full of distrust.

Then why are you alone? Where are your friends?

Friends? Did I say anything about friends?

She was lying, and Allison was aware of it. Allison pursued the strain of fiction, however.

The one who helped you escape.

Ami studied her for a time. She is no fool.

She was killed.

Allison merely nodded. That part was true enough; Lt. Nira had been a somewhat distant friend. Despite the remainder of dishonesty, she was sympathetic of Ami's distrust. She had no valid reason to place any faith in this unfamiliar woman.

Well, that's something I intend to earn, Allison decided.

How are you feeling?

Ami regarded the inquiry like the promise of a politician; with the expectancy of treachery. Better, she replied. Thank you. A moment of silence was the intervening point between that, and her next words: So what do you know that you haven't told me?

Allison was not sure how to reply. She knew that the lie had buried a hatchet of one kind, and to remove it, she only had to tell the truth… but one question remained; would Ami believe her?

What would you say if I were to tell you I was responsible for your freedom? Allison ventured dangerously.

You going to prove it? Ami asked, seemingly unfazed by the notion.

I can. You think you can manage a short walk?

She sat up sluggishly, and then swung her feet over the edge of the bed. She leaned forward, abruptly, gagging. Allison startled, getting to her feet rapidly. She put a hand on the young woman's shoulder. Finally, Ami stopped, and looked up at her.

Are you sure?

Ami glanced up at her and nodded deftly.

I guess I ate a little quickly. I'll be fine.

A few minutes later they exited the inn. Allison was sure the innkeeper did not mind the two gold piece tip she had left him, next to the five silver for the room. Quite a bit for such a shack, though it was apparent that she was little concerned about the money. They were moving as quickly as Ami's somewhat ragged pace would allow.

So where are we going? Ami asked.

I've got a hovercraft hidden just outside of town, she explained. That will get us where we're going.

A hovercraft?

Yeah, a deep voice started behind her. One 'o those things ya crash in, y'know? Kinda like this!

Just as they turned towards the voice, a fist descended, smacking soundly against the back of Ami's head. Ami gasped, and Allison cried out, grabbing for an amulet around her neck. Allison's slender form was abruptly replaced, in a brilliant flash, by a dark blue exoskeleton armor, with great silver avian like wings. Reaching for the blue scabbard mounted on her left hip, she pulled forth a heavy broadsword. Ami stumbled forward, completely enveloped in shock, trying to remain conscious.

The power armored Allison struck at Ami's assailant, aiming to kill. The seven-foot tall cyborg raised his claymore and turned to parry Allison's strike. They met evenly, snarling at each other as they struggled to determine the greater strength. The cyborg grinned, and raised what looked like a remote above his head. The one finger not gripping it was used to point something… up?

She cursed loudly as a hovering tank descended upon them, it's great cannon and accompanying rail guns making everything crystal clear.

'Yeah, I figgered y' might see it'n the end,' the cyborg stated, his ugly grin retaining its unpleasant presence. Angrily, Allison raised her hands, dropping the broadsword.

Now, now, snarled the cyborg, leveling his arm cannon at Allison, three inches from her suddenly sweating face. Let's be all civil-like. I don't gotta kill ya, but if yer gonna get all nasty…

Allison cursed under her breath, watching the hatch of the tank open, and a heavily armored man appear from its depths. On a hope, Allison extended the vibro blades concealed in the armlets of the armor, and moved as if to attack, striking the arm cannon aside easily.

Hey there you, snapped the voice from the hovertank. "Don' you be getting' no ideas!Perry, we's goin' er what?'

Yeah sure, replied the cyborg. Ya don' mind, do ya? Naw? I dun' thunk it…

Allison felt something smack sharply against the back of her head, then, only a dark veil.

@~%~~~

Pain. She awoke subsumed and lost in a sea of it. The world was dark, her body numb – for the pain seemed to center in her head – and endless minutes passed before the inky black transformed slowly into clean, white walls and cool, hair prickling air. A faint click and whine sounded above her head after which a voice communicated by narrow frequencies made a cursory assessment:

Ah, good morning, how are you?

She sat up, looked around, and ran a hand through her short blue hair.

Pardon?

You're quite lucky to be alive, the voice stated coldly.

Where is the voice coming from? She could see no one around.

Lucky?

There was a sigh. Take a moment to gather your wits, you've been through quite the ordeal.

Where am I? She paused, gazing at the smooth white walls of the room. There did not appear to be any way out, no discernible door. What have I been doing that might have brought me here?

Who am I?

Another sigh; We were rather hoping you could tell us that. A pause. I suppose we'll have to start from the brick at the bottom. First of all honey, you're not human.

I'm not?

At least you understand that, that's a good sign. Lateral thinking. Problem is, we don't know what you are exactly. Aside from what we could tell from the cybernetics you've had in.

Cybernetics? she thought, getting slowly to her feet. Why do I know that word?

What do you suppose about that now?

She began to recognize stiffness in her leg, in the left side of her… face. Without thinking, she touched her left cheek, then her right. She felt less pressure on her left cheek. She pressed harder on the one, then the other. Same result.

Yes, it might feel odd. That would be because most of the left side of your face is synthetic.

What's synthetic? Her hand fell away from her face.

Fake. Synthetic is manufactured material. Unnatural, like you. But not. Understand?

What?! She stumbled backwards, falling against the smooth wall.

Calm down honey, the voice said flatly. Do you have a name?

She heard a mumbling as she scrambled up against the unyielding whiteness of the wall. Trembling, she fought against the thoughts of not being real.

Damnit, the voice cursed. The first thing she does after coming to, is freak out. Doctor Lambert, we need you to sedate our blue haired girl here, the voice observed in tones indicating minimal alarm.

She did not hear these words as they were spoken. Nor did she hear the entrance of the cyber doc, as he approached her, needle in hand.

He spoke in whining tones; Calm down, this will make you feel all better now.

He reached for her, taking the upper portion of her left arm with one hand. Something snapped, a frantic look passed over her face, like the sudden flash of summer lightning. She stuck at him with her right arm, a blind action, and her hand hit the doctor in the face, which cracked open like a ripe melon. She screamed, and crumbled into a crying heap as the body made a pool of crimson upon the consistently white floor.

Cage! Get in here! Handle your flipping SDB will you!? the voice growled, no longer sounding quite so calm.

Two Dead Boys in heavy armor entered the room without hesitation. One of them uttered a curse. The second, however, sounded as though he was smiling when his dark voice left his throat.

Rather more'n I thought, he noted as he reached over and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her to her feet. She struggled and choked, but did not seem to be aware of his words, nor the pain he was inflicting. Not that I mind.

Glad you're enjoying yourself. Will you just get on with it and put her out? the voice snarled in controlled tones.

He glared upwards.

Fine. I guess we'll just have to get it all the hard way.

The next morning brought bright light, in multiple sources. It felt like a hospital; the cold air on her skin, the white ceiling, the unemotional voices…

She's coming around…

Good, just make sure you keep those sedatives pumping. That way we won't have any more messes like the last doc who attempted to administer.

Right.

The world spun, dazzling in its brightness. It felt like the most she could do to raise her finger.

No, no, don't try to move, you've been hurt.

Hurt? I don't feel hurt. I feel violated. Wh-whu… her mouth refused to form the words she wanted. Any words at all. The blur of white and blue hovering over her refused to leave. Not that it mattered. Why doesn't it matter?

It came back to her in chunks, in fragments.

Messy doctor?

She had killed the doctor when he…

Killed?

… tried to inject her with something.

Killed? I caused someone to die?

Then the men in black suits had come.

Good. I'm glad he's dead. Jerk.

They wanted to know why…

I killed one of them too. They shouldn't mess with me. They don't…

They wanted her to come quietly with them.

They don't know me.

Who is she?

Do I know me? I know the night.

Sarah Feldman had tried to get into her mind. Tried to reach into the sealed depths. She succeeded.

You were a Sailor?

…Long walking nights in the cool moonlight…