Disclaimer: If I owned either Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing I would have/be
four things that I am currently not:
a) Rich b) Powerful c) Not be writing non-profit fanfiction and d) Would most certainly have tons of fan mail (*sigh* Yes, a not-so-subtle hint to review, review, review!)
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Duo Maxwell! Put me down!" shrieked Hilde Schbeiker as she flailed wildly.
"Are you sure about that?" Duo asked maddeningly, his voice dripping with suppressed laughter.
Hilde beat at Duo's chest with mock ferocity. "Yes! YES! YES!"
Duo laughed, hugging the thrashing Hilde even more tightly to his chest.
Finally, he managed "Remember Hilde, you asked for it!"
Then he dropped her.
A scream had time to be born in her chest and bubble up her throat to force her mouth open. Then she was immersed in frigid water that poured into her mouth and rushed up her nose. Hilde struck out with her arms and legs, forcing her way to the surface, her hair floating around her. Sputtering, she broke the surface of the water and greedily sucked the air into her lungs as she glared up at Duo through the hair plastered in her eyes.
Duo was utterly oblivious to Hilde's glare as he howled with laughter at her fate. Swiftly Hilde swam to the side of the pool and grabbed Duo's ankles. With a vicious yank, Hilde's boyfriend joined her in the pool as her laughter rang out over the pool deck.
Duo shot to the surface and, when he finished gasping for air, Duo eyed his smirking lover with a vaguely chagrinned expression.
"Hilde!" he exclaimed, waggling the end of his braid at her "Do you know how long it's going to take to wash and dry all this!"
Hilde smirked widely. "We could cut it all off," she suggested helpfully.
Duo's violet eyes widened with horror.
"HILDE!"
He lunged at her.
Hilde laughed wickedly and splashed out of reach. Undeterred, Duo pursued her, forcing Hilde to start swimming seriously. What resulted looked almost like a game of water tag. Almost. From the relative safety of her lounge chair, Catherine laughed at the couple's antics.
"Will they ever grow up?" she asked no one in particular.
"I hope not" Relena said with a fond smile as she slathered her arms and legs in sun block. "Life would be so boring."
"Boring is good" Sally told the young politician as she stretched languorously. "Less work for us Preventers."
"Lazy Onna" Wufei grumbled absently at his partner as he skimming his magazine.
Sally's low, throaty chuckle tickled his ears as she stretched again, her eyes hidden by her dark glasses. "Perhaps" was all she said in reply.
Playfully, Catherine poked Relena in he ribs. "Hey, I'll put sun block on your back if you'll put some on mine."
Relena nodded. "Agreed." As Catherine started working on her back, Relena turned to Sally. "Sally, I'll put some on your back while Catherine puts it on mine."
Sally smiled. "Thank you. I'm afraid I was going to wait to ask until the two of you had finished."
In the pool Duo finally managed to catch one of Hilde's feet, inexorably dragging her back to him. Mercilessly he dunked her many, many times. On the pool deck, all three women stopped in their ministrations to watch.
"Should we help her?" asked Catherine, a hint of naughtiness in her voice.
Hilde chose that moment to grab Duo by the braid and drag him under with her, effectively turning the tables. Now she was the one dunking him.
"I think she has everything under control," Sally observed wryly.
Wufei muttered something about the dishonor of being defeated by a woman as Trowa silently watched the scene, his face impassive.
From the French double doors of the mansion Quatre and Hiiro appeared, followed by two of Quatre's many servants. The menservants were carrying a pair of trays, the first laden with finger foods and the second with two pitchers and several drinks. Quatre was companionably chatting with Hiiro, despite the other boy's lack of verbal responses, as he led his guest to the poolside.
"Look who finally made it!" he called happily to the others.
"Hiiro" Relena breathed to herself as the others welcomed Hiiro into their midst. Hiiro's welcomes ranged from Trowa's reserved nod of recognition to Duo's enthusiastic bellow that was swiftly followed up by a stoically endured hug.
Quatre smiled gently at his guests' happiness. "I took the liberty of asking for water and lemonade as well as refreshments for us. If you would like something else, just ask any of the staff."
"Thank you" murmured Trowa as he accepted a glass of water.
Catherine turned to Quatre, smiling, a glint in her eyes. "Now that you mention it, I could use some help Quatre."
"Just name your wish Miss. Catherine and I will see to it."
Catherine held the bottle of sun block out to him. "Would you please put sun block on my shoulders and back?"
Unprepared, the Arabian was at first startled, then extremely embarrassed. A light flush staining his cheeks, he mutely nodded as he accepted the bottle of sun block from Catherine. Relena and Sally watched, the former with obvious surprise and the latter with a mysterious smile, as the bikini clad Catherine lay face down on her lounge chair and waited.
Eyeing Catherine exposed back, Quatre became even more red and turned to Trowa for help. The glimmer of amusement in his visible eye alerted Quatre to the fact that there would be no aid from that quarter. Squaring his shoulders like a man sent to the gallows, Quatre squeezed some sun block into the palm of his hand and set to work.
I can do this, he thought. I'm a hardened warrior. A Gundam pilot! I can do this without thinking about how silky smooth Catherine's skin is! I can! Quatre's face grew steadily rosier with his drifting thoughts. Maybe not. I think I'll concentrate on being methodical instead.
Sally's smiled grew as she noted Catherine's smirk, carefully concealed in the crook of one arm. Tactfully, she turned her attention to other matters. Namely Hilde.
Duo had managed to save himself from Hilde and made a quick get away, scrambling out of the pool. Instead of chasing him, Hilde floated lazily on her back. Noticing Hiiro, she splashed upright, treading water.
"Hey Hiiro!" she yelled to him, waving.
He nodded his head and waved twice with one hand. "Hello Hilde."
"Duo, get me a towel, please?"
The braided boy shook his head. "Nuh uh. I don't do favors for women who try to drown me!"
Hilde turned pleading eyes on Hiiro. "Please?" she asked hopefully.
"Hn." Hiiro collected Hilde's towel from a helpful Relena, then wordlessly offered Hilde a hand out of the pool. Smiling brightly at him, Hilde accepted the proffered hand.
It was as Hiiro stood braced and Hilde was clambering out of the pool that Duo struck. Darting over to the pair, Duo pushed Hiiro, hard. Between the unexpected push and Hilde's weight, Hiiro fell in, dropping Hilde and her towel. The towel slowly sank beneath the water milliseconds before Hiiro and Hilde erupted to the surface, both glaring murderously.
"Duo" Hilde grated.
"Omae o koroso."
Duo yelped when he saw the too calm expression of his lover and the extreme lack of expression on his best friend. Wisely, he took that as his cue to run.
Leaping out of the pool they took off after him, not bothering with towels or, in Hilde's case, shoes.
Sally and Catherine laughed boisterously as they watched the chase. After a few moments of watching, Quatre and Relena gave up their valiant efforts and began to laugh helplessly.
"Idiots" Wufei grumbled, his own smile safely hidden behind his magazine. "It is only justice for Maxwell to die painfully for that."
Trowa said nothing, his eyes sparkling brightly.
Eventually the chase circled back towards the pool deck. Duo, his eyes wild, dove behind Quatre begging, "SAVE ME Q-MAN!! Quatre, my buddy, my pal, my compadre!!"
Hiiro and Hilde skid to a halt in front of Quatre.
Hiiro leveled his gun at Quatre's surprised face. "Move."
Quatre blinked, then ducked and ran for the safety of the sidelines.
"QUATRE YOU COWARD!!"
Nervously Duo eyed Hiiro's dripping gun.
"Eh . . .Hiiro! You wouldn't ishoot/i your best buddy would you?"
Hiiro cocked his gun.
"Hilde!" Desperately Duo turned to his love, "You wouldn't let Hiiro shoot your lover, would you?"
Hilde smirked. "Hit him right between the eyes Hiiro."
"Hilde!" A revelation was born to Duo's panicked mind. Duo nearly collapsed in relief. "Hey Hiiro! Your precious gun got wet! It won't work any more!"
Hiiro blink and stared at his wet gun for a moment. Hilde groaned loudly, her face sunk into her hands. Then, Hiiro forcefully threw his gun back into the pool and lunged at Duo. As the boys brawled, Hilde bolted for Duo's shoes, before diving into the fray herself. In no time at all, Duo was subdued and securely trussed up with his own shoelaces.
He looked up pitifully at his captors, his large eyes wide and innocent as his lower lip jutted out and trembled. "Hilde? Hiiro? Don't you love me anymore?"
"No." With that monosyllable, uttered in unison, both walked away from Duo Maxwell. Heartlessly they ignored him; Hilde cheerfully accepted a towel from Sally and Hiiro left to change in his room.
"Justice is served" Wufei pronounced, unable to completely hide his laughter at Duo's fate.
Duo glared at the group in general. "Doesn't anyone care about my well- being?"
Catherine grinned at him. "Of course we do Duo. We just don't want to cross Hilde and Hiiro." She leaned towards him, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "If you hadn't noticed, they tend to be rather violent." Muffled giggles burst out all over the group but Catherine pretended not to notice them as she continued, her face grave despite her laughing eyes. "Personally, I don't want to join you. You understand, I'm sure. Anyway, I think they'll let you go. Eventually." She sat up.
Duo glared at her. "Hardy har har har. Very funny Cathy."
Catherine shrugged. "Relena certainly thought so." She turned to Quatre and imperiously handed him the sun block. "You never finished," she said by way of explanation. Flushing slightly he nodded. "I should, shouldn't I?"
She nodded, her eyes sparkling before lying down on her lounge chair again. One by one, Duo's friends settled back to talking and laughing amongst themselves as they resumed their activities. Duo watched them, shocked. Finally, a faint pout hovering about his lips, he settled back to wait for someone to untie him.
* * * * *
That night they watched the fireworks, peace settling over them like a cloak. Duo, his arm around Hilde's waist, pulled her closer against him. His other arm came to rest around her waist as his chin rested on the top of her head.
"It's been two years," Relena murmured, standing near Hiiro "since the war ended."
"And one year since Mariemeia," Sally added, leaning on the balcony.
Next to her Wufei shifted uncomfortably.
"Can you believe we've had relative peace since then?" Quatre asked no one and every one at the same time.
"Speaking of Mariemeia, where is she? And Lady Une?" Duo asked, nuzzling Hilde's ear.
"They're remembering Treize today in their own way, I'd imagine." Although his face and body stance was emotionless under the light of the fireworks, Wufei's tone killed the conversation. Several uncomfortable minutes later, Duo decided to try to strike up another line of conversation.
"Hey Relena, where do you think Dorothy is? She usually follows you everywhere like a lost pit bull."
"She's probably honoring Treize too, I'd imagine" Relena said quietly.
Duo groaned inaudibly as Hilde sympathetically patted his hand.
Several minutes later . . ."Anyone for ice cream?"
* * * * *
A small armada of ships left the main group and headed toward Jupiter. In the command chair of the flagship sat a small figure. Barely bigger than a fourteen-year-old girl, she was nonetheless fully grown and very much in command. Her pale green hair had been cut so that the longest strands framed her face and brushed her earlobes as she cocked her head. In the back, it was boyishly short. Deep red eyes focused intently on the corner of the main view screen where a man with light pink hair cut short and brilliant silver-blue eyes spoke to her seriously. She nodded once in response.
"I agree that Sailor Galaxia should be our spokesperson to the humans. If the Princess and her Guardians are safe and alive on Earth, they will recognize her and make every effort to contact us."
"Exactly."
"The broadcast will be sent at the beginning of Earth's next week. On the day that they call 'Monday'."
She nodded. "Understood. That doesn't give us much time."
"It doesn't. But we must complete our mission as soon as possible."
She nodded again. "Then we should quit wasting time."
A faint smile flickered across his face. "Agreed. May the Moon watch over you, Flora."
"And may Jupiter clear your path, Selardi. Give my love to Mahina and the children."
He nodded. "Of course." Then his face winked out and that corner of the screen became blank. Flora turned her attention to one of her underlings.
"Danae, please run a scan over the planet and its moons. Let's see what we can salvage."
"Yes Miss."
* * * * *
Sally had been valiantly forging her way through her paperwork for the last four hours. Now she sighed and slumped in her chair, tiredly rubbing her temples. She and Wufei had been gone only a matter of days. How had all this paperwork been spawned?
The intercom crackled to life and Wufei's urgent voice blared out from it.
"Onna! Get up here now!"
Sally, only too happy for the break, eagerly agreed and was in the cockpit of their shuttle in almost no time. Wufei did not even acknowledge her presence. He merely turned up the volume on their multipurpose vid-phone. At the moment, it seemed, it was serving as a television.
"I repeat," said an effeminate voice sternly, "We wish the immediate surrender of the White Moon Princess and her Guard."
Intrigued, Sally drew closer to Wufei and looked over his shoulder to see a portrait shot of a beautiful woman with red eyes, dressed in some form of golden armor. She wore a golden chest plate that emphasized her femininity, golden shoulder pads, and her hair was tucked out of sight under a golden headdress.
"Should harm have come to them, or even death, we shall seek such vengeance as will leave humanity weeping for all of time. Return them to us, and there shall be no hostiles. Indeed, there may even be peace and an alliance. You have ten days." Her flat, uncompromising eyes softened. "Princess, Sailor Senshi, if you hear or see this message, please contact us and come home." Her eyes hardened again. "That is all."
Then she leveled a very direct, very challenging gaze at the screen. The vid-phone blipped to a purely golden screen, then the woman reappeared. She gazed at her audience with flat, uncompromising eyes.
"I am Sailor Galexia, representative of the White Moon Empire. I wish to speak to you on behalf of the people of the White Moon Empire. Our High Princess and her Guardians took refuge on your planet long ago. Now, we have returned to them in the hopes of rebuilding what was destroyed so long ago by war. Please return them to us. Immediately. I repeat that we wish the immediate surrender of the White Moon Princess and her Guard. Should harm have come to them, or even death, we shall seek such vengeance as will leave humanity weeping for al—"
Wufei abruptly switched stations.
The next channel also held the image of Sailor Galaxia. "—time. Retu—"
He switched stations again. "—hem to us—"
He switched it off. Sally merely stared at him, frowning slightly.
"What's" she finally asked, "a 'White Moon Princess'?"
a) Rich b) Powerful c) Not be writing non-profit fanfiction and d) Would most certainly have tons of fan mail (*sigh* Yes, a not-so-subtle hint to review, review, review!)
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Duo Maxwell! Put me down!" shrieked Hilde Schbeiker as she flailed wildly.
"Are you sure about that?" Duo asked maddeningly, his voice dripping with suppressed laughter.
Hilde beat at Duo's chest with mock ferocity. "Yes! YES! YES!"
Duo laughed, hugging the thrashing Hilde even more tightly to his chest.
Finally, he managed "Remember Hilde, you asked for it!"
Then he dropped her.
A scream had time to be born in her chest and bubble up her throat to force her mouth open. Then she was immersed in frigid water that poured into her mouth and rushed up her nose. Hilde struck out with her arms and legs, forcing her way to the surface, her hair floating around her. Sputtering, she broke the surface of the water and greedily sucked the air into her lungs as she glared up at Duo through the hair plastered in her eyes.
Duo was utterly oblivious to Hilde's glare as he howled with laughter at her fate. Swiftly Hilde swam to the side of the pool and grabbed Duo's ankles. With a vicious yank, Hilde's boyfriend joined her in the pool as her laughter rang out over the pool deck.
Duo shot to the surface and, when he finished gasping for air, Duo eyed his smirking lover with a vaguely chagrinned expression.
"Hilde!" he exclaimed, waggling the end of his braid at her "Do you know how long it's going to take to wash and dry all this!"
Hilde smirked widely. "We could cut it all off," she suggested helpfully.
Duo's violet eyes widened with horror.
"HILDE!"
He lunged at her.
Hilde laughed wickedly and splashed out of reach. Undeterred, Duo pursued her, forcing Hilde to start swimming seriously. What resulted looked almost like a game of water tag. Almost. From the relative safety of her lounge chair, Catherine laughed at the couple's antics.
"Will they ever grow up?" she asked no one in particular.
"I hope not" Relena said with a fond smile as she slathered her arms and legs in sun block. "Life would be so boring."
"Boring is good" Sally told the young politician as she stretched languorously. "Less work for us Preventers."
"Lazy Onna" Wufei grumbled absently at his partner as he skimming his magazine.
Sally's low, throaty chuckle tickled his ears as she stretched again, her eyes hidden by her dark glasses. "Perhaps" was all she said in reply.
Playfully, Catherine poked Relena in he ribs. "Hey, I'll put sun block on your back if you'll put some on mine."
Relena nodded. "Agreed." As Catherine started working on her back, Relena turned to Sally. "Sally, I'll put some on your back while Catherine puts it on mine."
Sally smiled. "Thank you. I'm afraid I was going to wait to ask until the two of you had finished."
In the pool Duo finally managed to catch one of Hilde's feet, inexorably dragging her back to him. Mercilessly he dunked her many, many times. On the pool deck, all three women stopped in their ministrations to watch.
"Should we help her?" asked Catherine, a hint of naughtiness in her voice.
Hilde chose that moment to grab Duo by the braid and drag him under with her, effectively turning the tables. Now she was the one dunking him.
"I think she has everything under control," Sally observed wryly.
Wufei muttered something about the dishonor of being defeated by a woman as Trowa silently watched the scene, his face impassive.
From the French double doors of the mansion Quatre and Hiiro appeared, followed by two of Quatre's many servants. The menservants were carrying a pair of trays, the first laden with finger foods and the second with two pitchers and several drinks. Quatre was companionably chatting with Hiiro, despite the other boy's lack of verbal responses, as he led his guest to the poolside.
"Look who finally made it!" he called happily to the others.
"Hiiro" Relena breathed to herself as the others welcomed Hiiro into their midst. Hiiro's welcomes ranged from Trowa's reserved nod of recognition to Duo's enthusiastic bellow that was swiftly followed up by a stoically endured hug.
Quatre smiled gently at his guests' happiness. "I took the liberty of asking for water and lemonade as well as refreshments for us. If you would like something else, just ask any of the staff."
"Thank you" murmured Trowa as he accepted a glass of water.
Catherine turned to Quatre, smiling, a glint in her eyes. "Now that you mention it, I could use some help Quatre."
"Just name your wish Miss. Catherine and I will see to it."
Catherine held the bottle of sun block out to him. "Would you please put sun block on my shoulders and back?"
Unprepared, the Arabian was at first startled, then extremely embarrassed. A light flush staining his cheeks, he mutely nodded as he accepted the bottle of sun block from Catherine. Relena and Sally watched, the former with obvious surprise and the latter with a mysterious smile, as the bikini clad Catherine lay face down on her lounge chair and waited.
Eyeing Catherine exposed back, Quatre became even more red and turned to Trowa for help. The glimmer of amusement in his visible eye alerted Quatre to the fact that there would be no aid from that quarter. Squaring his shoulders like a man sent to the gallows, Quatre squeezed some sun block into the palm of his hand and set to work.
I can do this, he thought. I'm a hardened warrior. A Gundam pilot! I can do this without thinking about how silky smooth Catherine's skin is! I can! Quatre's face grew steadily rosier with his drifting thoughts. Maybe not. I think I'll concentrate on being methodical instead.
Sally's smiled grew as she noted Catherine's smirk, carefully concealed in the crook of one arm. Tactfully, she turned her attention to other matters. Namely Hilde.
Duo had managed to save himself from Hilde and made a quick get away, scrambling out of the pool. Instead of chasing him, Hilde floated lazily on her back. Noticing Hiiro, she splashed upright, treading water.
"Hey Hiiro!" she yelled to him, waving.
He nodded his head and waved twice with one hand. "Hello Hilde."
"Duo, get me a towel, please?"
The braided boy shook his head. "Nuh uh. I don't do favors for women who try to drown me!"
Hilde turned pleading eyes on Hiiro. "Please?" she asked hopefully.
"Hn." Hiiro collected Hilde's towel from a helpful Relena, then wordlessly offered Hilde a hand out of the pool. Smiling brightly at him, Hilde accepted the proffered hand.
It was as Hiiro stood braced and Hilde was clambering out of the pool that Duo struck. Darting over to the pair, Duo pushed Hiiro, hard. Between the unexpected push and Hilde's weight, Hiiro fell in, dropping Hilde and her towel. The towel slowly sank beneath the water milliseconds before Hiiro and Hilde erupted to the surface, both glaring murderously.
"Duo" Hilde grated.
"Omae o koroso."
Duo yelped when he saw the too calm expression of his lover and the extreme lack of expression on his best friend. Wisely, he took that as his cue to run.
Leaping out of the pool they took off after him, not bothering with towels or, in Hilde's case, shoes.
Sally and Catherine laughed boisterously as they watched the chase. After a few moments of watching, Quatre and Relena gave up their valiant efforts and began to laugh helplessly.
"Idiots" Wufei grumbled, his own smile safely hidden behind his magazine. "It is only justice for Maxwell to die painfully for that."
Trowa said nothing, his eyes sparkling brightly.
Eventually the chase circled back towards the pool deck. Duo, his eyes wild, dove behind Quatre begging, "SAVE ME Q-MAN!! Quatre, my buddy, my pal, my compadre!!"
Hiiro and Hilde skid to a halt in front of Quatre.
Hiiro leveled his gun at Quatre's surprised face. "Move."
Quatre blinked, then ducked and ran for the safety of the sidelines.
"QUATRE YOU COWARD!!"
Nervously Duo eyed Hiiro's dripping gun.
"Eh . . .Hiiro! You wouldn't ishoot/i your best buddy would you?"
Hiiro cocked his gun.
"Hilde!" Desperately Duo turned to his love, "You wouldn't let Hiiro shoot your lover, would you?"
Hilde smirked. "Hit him right between the eyes Hiiro."
"Hilde!" A revelation was born to Duo's panicked mind. Duo nearly collapsed in relief. "Hey Hiiro! Your precious gun got wet! It won't work any more!"
Hiiro blink and stared at his wet gun for a moment. Hilde groaned loudly, her face sunk into her hands. Then, Hiiro forcefully threw his gun back into the pool and lunged at Duo. As the boys brawled, Hilde bolted for Duo's shoes, before diving into the fray herself. In no time at all, Duo was subdued and securely trussed up with his own shoelaces.
He looked up pitifully at his captors, his large eyes wide and innocent as his lower lip jutted out and trembled. "Hilde? Hiiro? Don't you love me anymore?"
"No." With that monosyllable, uttered in unison, both walked away from Duo Maxwell. Heartlessly they ignored him; Hilde cheerfully accepted a towel from Sally and Hiiro left to change in his room.
"Justice is served" Wufei pronounced, unable to completely hide his laughter at Duo's fate.
Duo glared at the group in general. "Doesn't anyone care about my well- being?"
Catherine grinned at him. "Of course we do Duo. We just don't want to cross Hilde and Hiiro." She leaned towards him, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "If you hadn't noticed, they tend to be rather violent." Muffled giggles burst out all over the group but Catherine pretended not to notice them as she continued, her face grave despite her laughing eyes. "Personally, I don't want to join you. You understand, I'm sure. Anyway, I think they'll let you go. Eventually." She sat up.
Duo glared at her. "Hardy har har har. Very funny Cathy."
Catherine shrugged. "Relena certainly thought so." She turned to Quatre and imperiously handed him the sun block. "You never finished," she said by way of explanation. Flushing slightly he nodded. "I should, shouldn't I?"
She nodded, her eyes sparkling before lying down on her lounge chair again. One by one, Duo's friends settled back to talking and laughing amongst themselves as they resumed their activities. Duo watched them, shocked. Finally, a faint pout hovering about his lips, he settled back to wait for someone to untie him.
* * * * *
That night they watched the fireworks, peace settling over them like a cloak. Duo, his arm around Hilde's waist, pulled her closer against him. His other arm came to rest around her waist as his chin rested on the top of her head.
"It's been two years," Relena murmured, standing near Hiiro "since the war ended."
"And one year since Mariemeia," Sally added, leaning on the balcony.
Next to her Wufei shifted uncomfortably.
"Can you believe we've had relative peace since then?" Quatre asked no one and every one at the same time.
"Speaking of Mariemeia, where is she? And Lady Une?" Duo asked, nuzzling Hilde's ear.
"They're remembering Treize today in their own way, I'd imagine." Although his face and body stance was emotionless under the light of the fireworks, Wufei's tone killed the conversation. Several uncomfortable minutes later, Duo decided to try to strike up another line of conversation.
"Hey Relena, where do you think Dorothy is? She usually follows you everywhere like a lost pit bull."
"She's probably honoring Treize too, I'd imagine" Relena said quietly.
Duo groaned inaudibly as Hilde sympathetically patted his hand.
Several minutes later . . ."Anyone for ice cream?"
* * * * *
A small armada of ships left the main group and headed toward Jupiter. In the command chair of the flagship sat a small figure. Barely bigger than a fourteen-year-old girl, she was nonetheless fully grown and very much in command. Her pale green hair had been cut so that the longest strands framed her face and brushed her earlobes as she cocked her head. In the back, it was boyishly short. Deep red eyes focused intently on the corner of the main view screen where a man with light pink hair cut short and brilliant silver-blue eyes spoke to her seriously. She nodded once in response.
"I agree that Sailor Galaxia should be our spokesperson to the humans. If the Princess and her Guardians are safe and alive on Earth, they will recognize her and make every effort to contact us."
"Exactly."
"The broadcast will be sent at the beginning of Earth's next week. On the day that they call 'Monday'."
She nodded. "Understood. That doesn't give us much time."
"It doesn't. But we must complete our mission as soon as possible."
She nodded again. "Then we should quit wasting time."
A faint smile flickered across his face. "Agreed. May the Moon watch over you, Flora."
"And may Jupiter clear your path, Selardi. Give my love to Mahina and the children."
He nodded. "Of course." Then his face winked out and that corner of the screen became blank. Flora turned her attention to one of her underlings.
"Danae, please run a scan over the planet and its moons. Let's see what we can salvage."
"Yes Miss."
* * * * *
Sally had been valiantly forging her way through her paperwork for the last four hours. Now she sighed and slumped in her chair, tiredly rubbing her temples. She and Wufei had been gone only a matter of days. How had all this paperwork been spawned?
The intercom crackled to life and Wufei's urgent voice blared out from it.
"Onna! Get up here now!"
Sally, only too happy for the break, eagerly agreed and was in the cockpit of their shuttle in almost no time. Wufei did not even acknowledge her presence. He merely turned up the volume on their multipurpose vid-phone. At the moment, it seemed, it was serving as a television.
"I repeat," said an effeminate voice sternly, "We wish the immediate surrender of the White Moon Princess and her Guard."
Intrigued, Sally drew closer to Wufei and looked over his shoulder to see a portrait shot of a beautiful woman with red eyes, dressed in some form of golden armor. She wore a golden chest plate that emphasized her femininity, golden shoulder pads, and her hair was tucked out of sight under a golden headdress.
"Should harm have come to them, or even death, we shall seek such vengeance as will leave humanity weeping for all of time. Return them to us, and there shall be no hostiles. Indeed, there may even be peace and an alliance. You have ten days." Her flat, uncompromising eyes softened. "Princess, Sailor Senshi, if you hear or see this message, please contact us and come home." Her eyes hardened again. "That is all."
Then she leveled a very direct, very challenging gaze at the screen. The vid-phone blipped to a purely golden screen, then the woman reappeared. She gazed at her audience with flat, uncompromising eyes.
"I am Sailor Galexia, representative of the White Moon Empire. I wish to speak to you on behalf of the people of the White Moon Empire. Our High Princess and her Guardians took refuge on your planet long ago. Now, we have returned to them in the hopes of rebuilding what was destroyed so long ago by war. Please return them to us. Immediately. I repeat that we wish the immediate surrender of the White Moon Princess and her Guard. Should harm have come to them, or even death, we shall seek such vengeance as will leave humanity weeping for al—"
Wufei abruptly switched stations.
The next channel also held the image of Sailor Galaxia. "—time. Retu—"
He switched stations again. "—hem to us—"
He switched it off. Sally merely stared at him, frowning slightly.
"What's" she finally asked, "a 'White Moon Princess'?"