Season One draws to a close (not yet! One more episode) over the FRC
building.  Before I officially ask the following question, I need my readers
to think it over: continue onto Season Two or not?

But anyway, that's a question to answer AFTER I complete my tenth
installment.  For now, here's issue 9.

RS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Operation: Reality Check
A Sailor Moon/Reality Jumpers FanFic
By Roehl Sybing

Last time, on O:RC.....
Queen Beryl decides she wants a second chance at getting rid of Sailor Moon
and Jake Tyler, so she forces them back into the NegaVerse.  With time
against these two-man team, they find Sailor Mercury, but lose Jake after
Queen Beryl's cavern maze caves in.

Episode 9: Government Assistance

"Wake up, you!" Queen Beryl said as Jake regained consciousness.  He found
himself strapped to a chair with a pair of handcuffs attached to his wrists.
"I'm still alive..." Jake replied weakly.  "Why?"
"Hmm, that's an interesting question.  Well, I believe you were looking for
some....energy source around here yesterday.  Well, to tell you the truth,
there isn't any."
"You captured me to tell me THAT?!?"
"Yes, and another thing too."  She put her hand up to reveal a piece of
paper.  "Does this look familiar to you?"
Jake examined the document, saying, "That's my application form for the Delta
project!  How'd you get t--"
Queen Beryl interrupted, "Ah, you have good memory too.  Do you also remember
what the Delta project was?"
"Yeah, it involved some genetic engineering, resulting in......no....you
don't plan on...."
"Of course I do.  You see, I have no main energy source to rely on.  I've
considered you because your genetic engineeing has proved useful to me, so I
must draw the energy from you.  Imagine.....infinite energy that keeps the
NegaVerse powered....powered long enough for me to take over the entire
continuum!"
"You don't know what you're doing!  I could get killed if you draw too much
energy at a time!"
"Ah, you're assuming I want you.  No, I just want your body...."
Jake quickly became angry, "Why, you...." He couldn't finish the sentence.
 Queen Beryl waved her hand as Jake fell asleep again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stuyvesant High School, first period.  In chemistry class, Jackie watched a
science experiment in progress, but he wasn't paying attention.  She thought,
"How did Queen Beryl get rid of Jake....so easily?"
On the other side of the building, Kim was having music class as she thought,
"Oh, I hope Queen Beryl is satisfied; I just lost my best friend!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third period came around in New Dorp High School.  Mike was having English
class, but his mind was on Jake.  "Who cares about English?" he said
silently.  "I want to get back in the NegaVerse and get rid of Queen Beryl!"
Serena sat across the room from Mike, thinking, "Oh, if I only I told him!
 Now he's just...gone!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lunch ended in Staten Island Academy as fifth period began.  Mina was walking
with Luna on her way to the next class.  Mina asked to Luna, "You think
Jake's still alive?"     
Luna replied, "I hope so, but I wouldn't count on it.  He would've been a
great help, finding the rest of the Scouts and all...."
On her first day in a temporarily new school, Ami entered computer class with
one thought in mind, "Jake saved me from the NegaVerse.....I didn't even get
to know him for long...."
Chris was in study hall preparing for the upcoming midterms, but he kept on
thinking, "Wish I was there.....I could've helped out, and maybe Jake would
still be alive...."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Four o'clock at the FRC building.  The Jumpers and the three Sailor Scouts
were in the war room, waiting for Hacker One because he had something "really
important."  No one said a word until Hacker entered the room with three
other people, one who was a woman.  As the door closed, Hacker pointed at the
three, "Jumpers, these three are Mary Olivet, Johnathan Riggs and Thomas
Conolly."
Mary said, "Pleasure to meet you," but the other two just said, "Hi."
"Who are these people, Hacker?" Chris asked sternly.
Hacker replied, "They are from the government, and...."
The main Jumpers groaned as they heard that word.  "Government."
"Now hold on, guys.  Regulations say that if a member of the FRC is no longer
able to hold a high-ranking seat, then there is a thirty day period before
the seat is taken by the next available person.  These three are here to help
to evaluate who should be the new director of the Reality Jumpers."
Jackie said, "OK, then let us handle that task.  I don't know about you guys,
but I am sure not into letting government snobs decide for us."
Riggs looked over at Jackie and replied, "Excuse me!?"
"You heard me.  There is no way I'm getting 'evaluated.'"
The other Jumpers said in unison, "Me neither."
Riggs tightened his fist, but Hacker held him back and said, "Guys, this
isn't your decision, and it isn't mine either.  Rollins gave the order this
morning, top priority.  He concluded you guys were minors and all, so he
decided you are not capable of performing this task."
"Well, that's his problem!  He doesn't ask us first!?"
Conolly spoke up, "Ahem.....the Jumpers IS a minors' team, and...."
Jackie quickly became angry, "WHAT THE F*CK IS YOUR POINT?!?"
Mary softly replied, "'Defense rests, your Honor....'"
Mike added, "And what is THAT supposed to mean?"
Within a few seconds, everyone on both sides of the room took a fighting
position as if battle was beginning to occur.  Everyone, of course, except
Hacker One.  "HOLD IT!" he shouted.  "Look, this is a bit hard on us all, but
this is no way to settle it."
Ami said, "Yes.  I must admit, even I don't know what's the point of all
this."
"Don't you see?" Jackie said as she walked to a door leading to another room.
 "The President thinks were babies."  She entered the room and dropped out of
sight.
"Well, there's another great ending to that...." Hacker said disappointingly.
 "But guys, this is only thirty days, OK?  After that, they'll leave."
Mina replied, "Hacker, I think the point we're trying to make is...."
Hacker was getting impatient, saying, "I know what your point is, and right
now I don't want to argue about it anymore, so I'll leave you alone with
these three, OK!?"  He quickly stormed out of the war room, leaving the three
government agents alone with the six Jumpers and their cat.
"So...." Kim said.
"Yep...." Mary replied.  The conversation, if there was any, was quickly
being lost.
Conolly got a piece of paper from his pocket and examined it.  He pointed at
Luna, saying, "This report says.....this cat can talk!?"
Luna answered, "'This cat' is named Luna, you know."
"Just asking."
Serena stood up from her chair and added, "Look, this is getting nowhere
fast.  If you already know, we still have a mission to complete!  Remember,
finding the rest of our friends?  We can't do that if we sit around here
arguing over nothing!"
Riggs replied, "You're right.  All right, I have a deal for you.  You let us
do our job for the next thirty days, we'll stay out of your way while you
complete this mission of yours, OK?"
The Jumpers agreed by nodding their heads.
"Good!  Now if you'll excuse us, we have to talk with some people outside."
As the three left the room, Mike sighed and said, "Oh, why did Jake have to
get killed!?"
Just then, they heard someone shouting out curses and screaming, "MIND YOUR
OWN BUSINESS, ALL RIGHT?!?"  The Jumpers concluded it was Jackie, who was in
another room.  They all ran to the door leading to the room.  As the door
opened, they saw her screaming at the man known as President Rollins, who was
on the videocom.
The President replied, "I advise you show more respect to me, Agent Forez.
 I'm already risking national security by letting a team of juniors into the
FRC in the first place."  But as he said that, the Jumpers who just entered
noticed that wasn't his usual speaking tone.  No, it sounded more like
someone asleep who was talking in his sleep.
"Did you even give a d*mn that a junior agent is dead!?"
"I am completely aware of that....Agent Forez.  As much as I would like to
get back at those against us right now, I still have other things to take
care of, such as the FRC attack you guys started on Saturday, remember that?
 Don't forget that over six-hundred-eighty million dollars in damage was done
because the so-called NegaVerse was looking for you!"
"Hold on, does that mean it's our fault then!?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying.  The Jumpers team has caused enough trouble
for half a week, and believe me, I don't need another incident in the way of
my now busy schedule, and that is why I sent my three government agents.  Now
if you'll excuse me....."
"Oh, I ain't finished with you---"
The President pushed a button on his table and the videocom screen faded to
black.
Jackie shouted more curses at the now-black screen.  She turned to see the
rest of the Jumpers standing in the doorway as she said, "How much of that
did you see?"
Mike replied, "Oh, enough...."
"I don't get it," Chris added.  "That's not the President we see once a month
on the 'com, even if he IS angry."
Ami said, "He sounded a bit....hypnotized, don't you think?"
Chris quickly got an idea and left the room.  The rest of the Jumpers
followed him as he sat down in front of a computer.  He typed in a few
commands, saying, "I wonder if the President was persuaded into anything
earlier today...."
Luna asked, "How are you going to know?"
"Well, for instance, he almost never leaves his office except when he's with
family - he's way too afraid to face the public - so he communicates through
the videocom almost all the time.  Some time back, I placed a wiretap on the
President's videocom when we did a mission before.  I just remembered right
now that I forgot to remove the wiretap!"
"So?"
"It's a theory, but why would the President want us under control?  He's
always trusted us before, even after situations far worse than the one last
Saturday.  So who's the only one outside the FRC, except the President, who
knows about us and wants to get rid of us?"
"Queen Beryl," Ami replied.  "But that wouldn't make sense.  She can appear
out of nowhere when she wants to, why would she use this......videocam?"
"It's videocom.  Well, to avoid being uncovered.  The President's office is
filled with security cameras that signal alarms even if another person enters
the door.  The videocom is the only way to communicate if you don't want to
be marked as suspiscious.  Ah, there!"
The computer screen displayed a list of video calls transmitted throughout
the day, and one entry had the following description:
UNIDENTIFIED VOICEPRINT --> PRESIDENT ROLLINS  09:14.51 for <1 min.

Chris said, "No doubt our 'unidentified voiceprint' is Queen Beryl.
 Computer: Print out transcript of selected video call."
After a minute, the computer printed out the transcript of the call.  Ami
took it out of the printer and read it.

*BEGIN TRANSMISSION*
ROLLINS: YES, MASTER?
UNIDENTIFIED: THIS FORM OF COMMUNICATION ISN'T MONITORED, IS IT?
ROLLINS: I DON'T BELIEVE SO.....
UNIDENTIFIED: THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!  DOESN'T MATTER, ANYWAY.  I WANT YOU TO
FIND A WAY TO DISTRACT THE JUMPERS FOR AWHILE.
ROLLINS: BUT WHY?
UNIDENTIFIED: YOU QUESTION ME?
ROLLINS: NO, IT'S JUST THAT....
UNIDENTIFIED: I'M NOT TAKING EXCUSES!  JUST MAKE SURE THEY DON'T TRY TO ENTER
THE NEGAVERSE AGAIN, UNDERSTAND?
ROLLINS: YES, MASTER....
UNIDENTIFIED: GOOD.
*END TRANSMISSION*

Ami looked up from the paper and said to Chris, "I think you'd better look at
this..."
She felt a hand on her shoulder as someone behind her said, "Sure, let me
look!"  Ami turned her back and saw Riggs looking over her.  He didn't have a
happy face on.
The other Jumpers looked to see the three agents who came back.  They jumped
up in surprise.  Chris said, "Riggs!  What a surprise!  Um...it's not what it
looks...."
Conolly interrupted, "Oh, it is exactly what it looks.  Invasion of privacy,
to be specific.  And towards the President, too!  Give us the transcript!"
As Conolly reached for the document, Ami backed away and grouped with the
rest of the Jumpers.  Mary said, "There's no way you're getting out of here
unless you're detained!"
Mike replied, "Mary, is it?  Look, we're in the middle of an investigation of
very high importance!"
"Riiiiiiiiiight."
Kim added, "It's true!  This transcript is evidence that the President was
persuaded into sending you to watch over us!"
"Now....why would he be persuaded?"
"So that we wouldn't be able to complete our mission against the NegaVerse!"
Riggs said, "You expect us to believe that?"
"Sure, read this transcript!"
Ami handed the piece of paper to Riggs, but the agent tore it up.
Jackie shouted, "Hey, you didn't even read it!"
"I don't have to.  It's invasion of privacy, any way you look at it, and it
gets you three to five under the Juveniles' Act.  Now, all of you, you're
under arrest...."
"I don't think so!" Serena spoke up.  "Scouts?"
"Ready!" Mina and Ami said.
"MOON STAR POWER!"
"VENUS STAR POWER!"
"MERCURY STAR POWER!"

The three transformed into the Sailor Scouts and got into defense positions
next to the Jumpers, who had their weapons in hand.
Conolly said, "This wasn't in the file!  Who are you anyways!?"
"I am Sailor Moon, champion of justice!  On behalf of the Moon, I will right
wrongs and triumph over evil, and that means you!"
Mike whispered to Sailor Moon, "Um, Serena?"
"Yes?"
"I think that's the dumbest line I've ever heard...."
"Hey, it's the only line I've got!"
Riggs replied, "Yes, well.  We're not exactly attacking you, you know.  But
we will if you don't come with us quietly!"  He took a gun from his pocket,
as did the other two agents.
Mike said, "Oh, scary."
Sailor Moon reached for the sceptre that appeared out of nowhere.  Jackie,
Chris, and Kim reached for their specialized guns and aimed it towards the
three agents, and Sailor Venus and Sailor Mercury were waiting to fire.
Frightened and knowing the odds were against them, Mary, Riggs, and Conolly
quickly dropped their guns and put their hands up in the air.
Mike added, "Hey, look, we ain't exactly going to fire on you either!  We
just want the charges dropped and a ride to Washington, so we can deal with
the situation about the President."
Mary asked, "What if we don't give you that ride?"
"Then we WILL shoot you."
Mary put her hands down, saying, "Hold on a minute..."
She grouped with her partners and discussed the situation.  After a minute,
they turned towards the Jumpers, saying, "Deal."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It turned a half past five when the Jumpers, accompanied by the three
government agents, arrived in Washington, D.C. by way of a private MagLev
train.  They all rushed towards their destination, the White House.  Once
there, they noticed the normally-closed gate leading to the front entrance
was guarded by heavily armed guards.
"I still think this is a bad idea," Riggs said as they hid behind a corner.
 "Look, I ain't taking a part in this...."
Jackie pointed her gun towards the agent and replied, "You get us in or
else!"
Conolly added, "You are aware that you are breaking a few laws in doing this,
correct?"
"Of course," Mike said.  "But you'll get the right idea once we get in
there."
The Jumpers and the agents walked out to meet the guards at the gate.  Riggs,
Conolly, and Olivet presented their ID cards, but one of the guards said,
"You three can go in, but these kids...."
Sailor Moon quickly got impatient.
"MOON TIARA MAGIC!"
She threw her tiara at the gate, causing a small explosion and knocking out
the two men guarding it.
Chris asked, "Riggs, tell us why guards are patrolling the front entrance.
 This is not exactly a proper procedure!"
"I see your point," Riggs replied.  "Let's go."
The team of ten rushed towards the front door to the House as an alarm
sounded.  They all hid beside the steps as Sailor Mercury said, "I'll take
care of this."
"MERCURY ICE BUBBLES.....FREEZE!"
A number of bubbles formed and made contact with the steps to the door,
creating a sheet of ice on the steps.  The door to the White House opened,
and out came a group of guards armed with guns.  One by one, they stepped on
the ice and fell to the ground, unconscious.
Kim asked, "Hey, you think there's more guards in there?"
"Well, let's check," Sailor Venus replied.
"VENUS CRESCENT BEAM.....SMASH!"
The beam flew through the doorway, and inside it knocked out a security
camera.
She then added, "Now we wait."
As the alarm continued to sound, several guards ran from the sides of the
White House.
Together, Jackie and Kim said, "We got these!"
They armed their guns and fired in opposite directions: lightning from
Jackie's gun to the left and fire from Kim's gun to the right.  The guards
from the sides were stopped by the incoming attacks.
Mary said, "Remind me to give you guys twenty to life, OK?"
Kim shouted, "Hey, just trust us, all right?!"
Another group of guards, in response to knocking out the camera, came out the
front door and also slipped on the steps.
"Now can we go in?" Mike asked.
The team entered the doorway, finding there were no other guards left in the
foyer.  They rushed up the spiral stairs to the second floor and to the
famous "Oval Office."  They stopped in front of the door as Riggs armed his
gun, saying, "Tell me again the point to all this!"
Sailor Venus replied, "President.....persuasion.....remember?"
"Oh, all right...."
At that, Riggs kicked the door down and shouted, "Freeze, FBI!"
The only one in the room was President Rollins, who was facing the window.
 He turned around and said, "May I help you?" in the same lifeless tone he
spoke in just an hour ago.
Conolly noticed the tone of voice the President was speaking in, "You say he
was...hypnotized?"
Rollins replied, "Hypnotized?  Me?  I never...."
Riggs continued, "Give it up, Mr. President!  I have a transcript here as
evidence, and..."
Sailor Moon walked up to Riggs and shouted, "Didn't you trash that piece of
paper?!?"
"Oh yeah...."
"You were saying?" Rollins asked.  He held a gun in his hands and fired three
shots, one which dug into Riggs' left shoulder.
He fell to the ground, saying, "D*mn!"  In response, he fired a shot from his
own gun before he lost grip of his weapon.  The return fire hit the
President's wrist, breaking his watch as it fell off his wrist.
At that moment, mist emitted from the President's body as he fell to the
ground.  Conolly and Olivet rushed to help the President.  After a minute,
the Rollins opened his eyes, saying, "W-what's going on?"
As the two agents helped the President get back on his feet, Sailor Venus
picked up the watch off the floor. The design of the clock had the initials
"NV" on it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night fell over Washington, D.C. as news crews swarmed into the front
entrance of the White House.  By that time, the Jumpers and the three
government agents had already evacuated the building.  The agents treated the
Jumpers to dinner at a nearby restaurant, and as usual, Serena was the first
and last to start and finish her meal.  But just before they ordered the
check, Riggs, who had his injured arm wrapped around a sling, asked Mike to
step outside for a moment to talk.
As the door closed behind the two, Mike asked, "Firsst of all.....charges
dropped?"
"Well....I guess I've seen enough for one day.  Charges dropped."
"Thank you."
"No, thank you.  I wanted to commend you on this mission.  Maybe you have to
break a few laws to get things done around here, and that's exactly what you
proved today."
"Are you kissing up to me?"
"Of course not!  All I wanted to say was that you and your Jumpers have
proven your worth as a team of the FRC.  You've proven that there's nothing
'minor' about the Reality Jumpers, and if you want, we won't have to evaluate
your team; you can do the job of choosing a new director yourself."
"Really!?"
"Yeah.  Like you said, you have a mission against the NegaVerse, we wouldn't
want to interfere.  Just say the word, and we'll stay here in Washington."
Mike thought the offer over and said, "Well, we could temporarily use three
government agents for the time being...."
"You really mean that!?"
"Yes, I do.  You can still watch over us if you want."
"That'd be nice.  Thanks.  Say.....you'd make a good leader for the Reality
Jumpers."
"Who?  Me?  No, I'd take a power trip the second you name me leader!"
"Hmm, guess you're right....so, you got any girlfriends?"
"That's a rather...personal question."
"Oh, come on...."
"Well, actually, no."
"No?  Why?  You got those three girls in there!"
"Oh, you mean, Serena and her friends?"
"Yeah!"
"Nah, I couldn't...."
"What, you don't like them or anything like that?"
"No, it's just..."
"Ah, so who is it?  Is it this Serena?"
"No.....but I find Mina very attractive....."

TO BE CONTINUED.....