Title: SX6: Genesis of the Cybersailors
Rating: PG
Sailor X #6 Genesis of the CyberSailors By: John Brengman
==> * SM * <==
In space�
The darkness of space was suddenly distrubed by a flash of
light�as if a star had exploded. As the ring of blazing light expanded,
an comet-like object streamed forth into the surrounding darkness.
Particles of
ice cascaded off the surface of the comet and vaporized�adding to the
luminous display. The comet now
looked like a flaming sword as it sailed through space toward a nearby
solar system.
Amidst the still expanding sphere of light, another object
appeared�this one without the cacophanous
fireworks that accompanied the comet. Unlike the comet, the second
object was not 'natural'. Its sullen
gray hull was punctuated by the light from an open viewport. The ship
was small�about twice the size of
the comet it followed�
==> * SM * <==
Aboard Pursuit Ship #898001887-891
In the small command center of the ship, a figure towered above
the others, a dark shape outlined by
the dull red of the various control panels. The computers clicked and
whirred to themselves�a conversation which also divulged information to
their masters.
The figure moved to tap a few of the control buttons. They blinked
twice in acknowledgement then
the computers started implementing their new commands. The figure
lifted its metallic hand from the panel
and strode forward into the center of the room. The red light glinted
off of almost every part of her body,
giving it an almost satanic aura.
"Status," a voice ordered. It sounded human�but some mechanical
elements still slipped in to its
tone and resonances�
"We are approaching home," another quasi-mechanical voice replied.
"We are tracking the orb."
"Very good," the first voice said. "Open standard frequency to the
Terra Control Center."
A moment passed, then: "There is no response on any of the normal
or emergency frequencies."
"That is not possible," the first voice insisted. "Run a full
scan."
The scan took a minute to complete� "Scans show an abnormal level
of magic-based energy in the area. Measuring 180 hps on the energy
scale."
The first cyborg stepped over to a control panel where another
metallic human-like cyborg was working.
"Is the orb responsible for this?"
The first cyborg looked up from its work. "It is possible. It is
also possible that our scanners caught some magic-based energy when we
passed through the vortex it attacked us with."
"Should we divert to headquarters?" Another voice asked.
"No," the leader replied. "Our orders are to retrieve the orb.
After that, we will take it to headquarters and intern it there."
All heads turned to gaze at the leader, a female human-like figure
clad almost entirely in silver metal. Her left eye was that of a normal
human�her right eye was a parabolic scope. She wore no clothes�in fact,
none of the cyborgs did�there was no modesty left in their metallic
shells. The only part of the
leader's appearance that was not silver was the gold tiara that rested
on its forehead.
"Did you not understand my directives?"
"You directives were clearly received," came the chorus of voices.
"Implementing."
"Good." With that, Cybermoon turned and stalked out of the room.
==> * SM * <==
Studios of Channel 7 10:00 PM
Senior news director Aino Urawa took a look at the screen next to
him. The commercial currently coursing through the airwaves was about
the end. He gestured to the cameraman, who nodded and turned the heavy
camera toward the brightly-lit set of the station�s news center and the
petite news anchor who sat behind the �wooden� desk.
As the commercial ended, Urawa pressed a button, and green lights
atop the cameras lit. The anchorwoman nodded slightly, then started her
next story.
�Anti-UN violence has escalated as protests outside the UN
Outreach Center in central Tokyo turned into an armed confrontation.�
The picture shifted to a garish scene of mayhem. Rubble-filled
trashcans were ablaze as fires consumed their contents. Anonymous
figures used the fires to light the fuses on home-made projectiles that
were immediately launched air-borne. The camera followed one of these
missiles as it arced through the air. It descended, tumbling to the
ground, where it burst open and bloomed into a fiery blaze. The sudden
inferno forced police officers with riot shields to back away from
their positions.
�Throughout most of the day,� the news anchor continued as the
brutal scene unfolded in the background, �these protests were
peaceful.� The camera panned down to a white placard that was being
trampled by the militants. The blue UN symbol was crossed out, and it
was framed by the words: GET OUT OF TOKYO! The camera panned back to
the crowds, who were now trying to rush the police.
The anchor�s voice continued. �However, as the police responded to
the situation, the protests became violent. Despite all of this, police
spokesman, Lt. Ryunosuke reports that the majority of the protests are
under control��
==> * SM * <==
The Crystal Palace
The maintenance technician finished his work in the tunnels under
the castle. This area, also called Sub-level B, was a catacomb-like
maze that dated back to the original construction of the castle. The
worker stepped down from a stool and started to walk away. After a
couple of steps, he stopped and looked back at the overhead pipes he
had been working near. He turned and started to walk toward the nearby
corridor. He exited the maze and turned into the corridor�
�Boo!� A female voice yelled. The worker nearly jumped out of his
skin. Turning, he saw Brandy with a huge smile on her face.
When the maintenance man didn�t immediately react, Brandy flung
herself against him and the two of them collided against the far wall.
�Tell me, Richard,� Brandy said as she looked up at the man�s
startled expression. �Tell me I�m the best practical joker you�ve
seen!�
�If not,� Richard replied, �You�re pretty close!�
Brandy gently brought Richard�s mouth to hers and they kissed
passionately�
In Sub-level B, all was dark and quiet. Various machines hummed to
themselves as they performed their tasks dutifully. The few lights in
the area barely held back the encroaching darkness.
One of the devices hid above the pipes and beeped and whirred softly
to itself. It counted to itself�waiting until the proper time to
perform its task�
�dutifully�
==> * SM * <==
Aboard Pursuit Ship #898001887-891 (near Earth)
�We are closing on the orb,� Cybermercury said as Cybermoon entered
the command center. The comet-like orb flared as it continued its
approach to Earth. �There are energy spikes emanating from the orb. It
may be unstable.�
As if on cue, the orb blossomed with light which would have blinded
most creatures nearby. The machines aboard the pursuit ship simply
observed this phenomena and processed it as efficiently as sentient
machines could.
Their ship was not nearly so efficient.
�Primary sensors are inoperative,� Cybermercury reported. �Switching
to lateral sensors.�
The orb seemed to arc away from the ship as it approached Earth.
�Why are we losing speed?� Cybermoon inquired.
Cybermars attempted to get an answer from its controls. �There is a
build-up of unstable energy in the engine core. Probable cause: the
orb.�
�Status of engines?�
�Engine output is at 62% and falling��
�Will we be able to intercept the orb?�
�No,� Cybermercury replied, �not with our rate of deceleration.�
�Increase power to the engines,� Cybermoon ordered.
�That is not advisable,� Cybermars stated. �Increasing power to the
engines will result in an
overload, which will increase our deceleration.�
Cybermoon pondered this pronouncement for a few seconds, then, �Find
an alternate landing site.�
The orb streaked away from its pursuer and slipped into Earth�s
atmosphere over the Mexican state of Veracruz. As it descended, the orb
took on a halo of fire from the friction�it fell toward the blue of the
Pacific Ocean, then somehow leveled its descent and screamed across the
ocean at an almost unimaginable speed.
Three minutes later, the orb ripped across Japan, its shock wave
obliterating everything for miles around. Having cut a swath across the
southern end of the islands, the orb slashed into Asia. As it traveled
it actually gained speed�
The primitive buildings that proliferated throughout the interior of
China were no match for this fiery �demon�. Thatch hovels were ripped
to shards and blown at deadly speed in the wake of the orb, and yet it
continued to travel faster�
The orb left China and entered the mountainous regions of Nepal at
several times the speed of sound. It slammed into a mountain,
shattering it. The rubble cascaded down and buried the orb deep within
meters of heavy rock�
==> * SM * <==
The Crystal Palace Observatory
Amy checked the readings of the observatory�s refracting telescope
again. Light from the Vega star system indicated that its star was
going through some sort of disturbance and Amy found herself fascinated
by all of it. She continued looking through the eyepiece as she wrote
down her observations.
Suddenly a flash of white light drowned out the view of Vega. �What
the�� Amy exclaimed as she quickly shrank away from the telescope. She
blinked her eyes to rid them of the effects of the light.
�Artemis,� she asked the castle�s computer, instantly disliking
whomever it was who decided that the machine should be named after one
of their feline guardians. �Were any anomalies picked up within the
past minute?�
�Affirmative,� the computer replied, �one anomaly reported.� Amy
knew that answer, but used the question so the computer would focus on
that one event.
�And the nature of the anomaly was?� She asked. The computer
displayed its findings on a nearby screen. Amy quickly flipped a switch
on the comm panel near the viewscreen.
�Vanessa, this is Amy. I am at the observatory.�
Amy paused, then: �Something just happened�something big.�
Within fifteen minutes, the Sailors had been informed that something
from space had crashed on Earth. Neo-Queen Serenity gave her consent
for the team to investigate.
==> * SM * <==
Dreamland Amusement Park 11:20 PM
The alien ship landed in one of the park�s wooded areas, which at
this time of the night, were devoid of people. Not one to take chances,
Cybermoon activated the ship�s cloaking shields and it vanished into
nothingness. Satisfied, Cybermoon turned to the three other cyborgs and
said, �Let�s find the parts we need quickly so we can resume our search
for the orb!�
With that, the four started off toward the bright lights at the
heart of the park.
�For my next trick,� the stage magician shouted over the din of the
nearby rides, �I will pull a rabbit out of my hat!� Most of the crowd
that had gathered in front of the small stage in a small grassy area
just off the fairway seemed enraptured by this simple announcement. A
few watched anyway, hoping to uncover the secret behind what was
obviously a parlor trick.
�As you can tell,� the magician continued� �Nothing up my sleeve��,
he pulled his coat sleeve open. Retrieving a green silk scarf from
within the folds of his jacket, the magician smiled wryly. �Now,� he
chuckled, �How�d THAT get there?� The crowd laughed at this joke.
Using that as a distraction, the magician shifted around to the back
of the table. �Okay,� he said. �I will NOW pull that rabbit out of my
hat!� He reached into his top hat and pulled out a young, white rabbit.
The crowd went wild with applause. The magician bowed in respect to the
crowd.
�Now, for my next trick,� the magician said, �I will�what the�� Four
tall figures stood near the rear
of the audience, the lights of the fairway reflecting off their
metallic surfaces. One of them stepped forward and the crowds
parted�not yet sure exactly what was standing in front of them.
�Demonstrations of magic or sorcery are forbidden by law!� Cybermoon
shouted. �You are engaging in illegal activities and will submit to our
authority. You will not resist.�
�Excuse me,� the magician said. �You�re disrupting my show. Go find
your own crowd!�
�Are you resisting arrest?� Cybermercury asked.
�Resisting? Resisting arrest for WHAT?� The magician started backing
up as the crowds attempted to flee. Cybermars lowered a nasty-looking
barrel at them. �Fleeing the scene of a crime is an illegal
activity. You are witnesses and participants in this crime. Surrender
to our authority. You will not resist.�
Meanwhile, Cybermoon and Cybermercury had gotten to the stage.
�Resisting arrest is a criminal act
punishable by death. Preparing witness transcript for transmission
preparatory to carrying out the death
sentence.� There was a brief pause. The magician cowered near the
curtains which framed the stage and the
two cyborgs stood still�
�Transmission failed,� Cybermoon stated. �Mercury, attempt to
transmit again. I will carry out the death sentence.� The cyborg raised
its hand to its forehead� �MOON TIARA ACTI��
�Hold it!�
The cyborgs turned to the source of the voice, allowing the crowd to
begin to flee.
�You have disturbed the joy and fun this place creates at a time
when this city needs it! That can not
be allowed! In the name of the moon, I will punish you!�
�Identify yourself,� Cybermoon ordered.
Sailor Moon stepped forward with a growl. �As IF you didn�t know! I
am Sailor Moon, champion of the
Innocent!�
A voice from beside Sailor Moon answered, �And I am Sailor Mars,
defender of freedom!�
Another voice: �Sailor Jupiter here, ready to rock and rumble!�
And finally, �Sailor Venus has arrived!�
During all of this, Cybermercury had scanned the Scouts. Looking up
from its scanner, it said, �I am
detecting magical energy from them.�
Aiming her right arm at the Sailors, Cybermoon snarled, �Use of
magic is an illegal act punishable by
the death penalty! Witness transcript stored for later transmission!
MOON ELMINATION ATTACK
ACTIVATION!� Pure white energy burst out of the cyborg�s arm and surged
toward the Scouts who
dove out of the way.
Sailor Venus hit the ground roughly, rolled over and shouted, �VENUS
LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE!�
The beam bounced from Venus, then shot toward Cybermercury, who
absorbed the force of the blast.
Cybermars meanwhile turned its attention from the Sailors to the few
remaining people who were trying to
get out of the area. A gout of flame erupted as it turned the barrel of
a flame-thrower on the people.
�No!� Sailor Moon shouted as the flames enveloped a daughter and
child who failed to get away in time. The fuel from the blast
splattered over the area in a rain of fire that ignited the brush where
it landed. The
screams of the dying woman and her child shot right through the Scouts.
�You are DEAD!� Sailor Moon screamed as she raised her right hand in
the air� �MOON STAFF!�
The staff appeared in her hand, its metallic ends glistening with a
dull white glow� �Time to pay the piper,� Sailor Moon growled. �MOON
ZERO MAGIC!� A disk of destructive energy coalesced at the top
of the staff. When it had built up sufficient strength, Sailor Moon
hurled the energy bolt at Cybermars, who was continuing its search for
more �criminals�.
Cybermars was swarmed by the energy that sheared metal plating from
its exposed body parts. The deadly energy coursed over the cyborg,
shorting out circuits, fusing internal parts. Finally the energy faded
and disappeared, leaving a smoking hulk behind.
Slowly, Cybermars looked over to Sailor Moon. A laser scope sliced
its beam through a shattered glass eyeball. The cyborg reached up with
its hand and pulled the useless splinters from its face. The scope now
glared at Sailor Moon as Cybermars growled. �I still function!�
Dodging a punch from Cybermercury, Sailor Mars faded back to Sailor
Moon holding a metal shaft she had used to slap Cybervenus across the
face. She hefted the shaft and yelled, �Not for long!�
Charging the injured cyborg, Mars let out a shrill cry that pierced
the night air. She closed the distance quickly and Cybermars raised its
arm to defend itself. Sailor Mars saw this and shifted her arm quickly.
She slammed the tip of the metal shaft into the cyborg�s chest. The tip
scudded downward until it entered into the inner mechanisms through a
tear in the skin. Blood and oil mingled and showered Sailor Mars as she
lifted Cybermars off her feet. The shaft sliced through a power node
and punched through the skin�the
Cyborg was impaled on the pole.
A pulse of electricity poured from the injured cyborg and cascaded
over Sailor Mars. She dropped to her knee under the assault, but kept
the pole raised like a torch. Gradually, Mars brought the shaft down
and examined Cybermars. The red scope that now served as its left eye
was dim and flickering�slowly dying. Some metal skin plates hung
halfway off. Its head hung listless.
Clicking noises caused Mars to bend down to the cyborg�s face, where
she heard, �Terminal condition�
Initiating dest�reuct�.� Then a stern beeping noise began...a
countdown. Mars looked down at the cyborg�s arm�to the barrel of the
flame-thrower as it glimmered in the light of the still smoldering
ground fires.
�Oh shit��
Dropping the shaft, Mars looked over to see Sailor Jupiter
unleashing one of her attacks on an already-injured Cybervenus.
Cybermoon was the target of an assault from the Moon Staff, and a thick
fog shrouded an area just beyond the fighting�Mars guessed that the
remaining cyborg and Sailor Venus were there.
Launching herself to her feet, Sailor Mars ran back toward the
battle, shouting, �Back off, you guys! We�ve got to get out of here!�
�What the�� Sailor Moon managed to get out before Mars reached her.
�Trust me,� Mars insisted. �We have to go now!�
Sailor Moon made a quick decision. �Okay!� she said, then: �Retreat,
Sailors!� Jupiter looked uncertainly at Sailor Moon, but she and Sailor
Mars were already beating a path to the fairway.
As Venus retreated out of the corner of her eye to the right,
Jupiter stood her ground and yelled, �You haven�t seen the last of us,
you overgrown sardine cans!�
�Jupiter, NOW!� Sailor Moon shouted. �That�s an order!� With that,
Jupiter turned and started to run. She got five steps before the area
behind her melted with the implosion of Cybermars� fuel components. The
force of the explosion threw Jupiter several yards and the fire seared
over her. She screamed as she felt the fire consuming her. Using that
pain, Jupiter centered herself in order to use her teleportation.
Suddenly, a deeper level seemed to open within her mind�
From within the firestorm, a haunting voice arose, �I call upon the
primal forces of the planet, JUPITER!� The fires seemed to burn
brighter with this declaration. �JUPITER GRAVITON POWER!
A wave of force blasted outward from Sailor Jupiter, shredding the
buildings within a hundred yards from the Scout. Trees snapped like
twigs and became projectiles. The wind produced by the force wave
smothered the fire.
Sailor Jupiter dropped to the ground heavily after the force wave
faded away.
Slowly, the other Sailors crawled out from under whatever rubble had
fallen on them and approached to survey the scene.
Just a few yards beyond Sailor Jupiter�s unconscious form lay the
smoldering wreck that had been Cybervenus�most of her frame had been
melted into slag. Only a slight ripple on the ground had directed the
heat from the blast over Jupiter�
As the Scouts were examining the scorched form of the cyborg, its
comrades landed in front of what had been the magician�s stage.
�You have committed several criminal acts,� Cybermercury stated.
�All of which are punishable by the death penalty.�
�You again!� Sailor Moon growled.
�Witness transcript saved for later transmission,� Cybermercury
continued. �You will surrender to our authority. You will not resist.�
Assessing the situation, Cybermoon murmured, �We must retreat. We
are outnumbered and outgunned.�
Cybermercury didn�t seem to hear its commander, and continued to
approach the Scouts. It got to be too much for Sailor Venus, who
muttered, �damn talking toasters�.� then, �VENUS CRESCENT BEAM SMASH!�
The beam sliced out and ricocheted off Cybermercury�s head. The cyborg
was undeterred�
�You have committed the crime of assaulting a legal officer of the Luna
Foundation� That is a crime
punishable by death��
Before it could finish this pronouncement, Cybermoon had loaded an
armor-piercing round into the pistol mounted on its left arm. Raising
its arm, Cybermoon murmured, �Unit Mercury has malfunctioned and is not
responding to orders.� With a twitch of its arm muscles, Cybermoon
fired its arm pistol, and the AP round slammed into the back of
Cybermercury�s skull�
The fatally wounded cyborg took a step forward. �You�
will..surren..der�� A thin line of blood dribbled out of the side of
its mouth as it stood motionless, as if waiting for some sort of
response�then it tried to take another step and fell forward. By the
time Cybermercury hit the ground, Cybermoon had disappeared.
The Scouts gathered around the prone body of the cyborg and flipped
it over onto its back. A light drizzle began to pour and the moisture
on the ground matted the machine�s hair to its head�its deep-blue eyes
stared lifelessly into the air�
Finally, Sailor Moon turned to the others. �Take it, and the other
one,� she said pointing to Cybervenus.
�Let�s get back to the castle.�
==> * SM * <==
Crystal Palace - Near Sub-level B
The two feline guardians routinely patrolled the hallways near the
shuttle landing pads looking for rodents and other undesirables that
may have sneaked into the palace by slipping unseen on one of the many
shuttles that made the Earth � Moon trip. They were on their way back
to the more populated
areas of the castle when Luna stopped, one forepaw in the air in
mid-step.
�What is it?� Artemis asked.
�I hear something.�
Artemis perked his ears, searching the background noises for
anything unusual. �I don�t hear anything,� he replied.
�You�re not down here enough,� Luna scolded. �I know I hear
something.�
Artemis tried listening again, then shook his head. �You�re hearing
things,� he said sternly. �Besides, I overheard some maintenance people
complaining about having to do work in this area.�
�Yes,� Luna said, sill not quite convinced. �Perhaps its just some
new machines or something.�
�That has to be it,� Artemis agreed. �Come on, let�s get going.�
With that, the two felines slipped down the corridors running
through Sub-level B, passing under a large
cluster of pipes that ran along the ceiling�
�the hidden device continued its near-silent duty� 4:53�4:52�
==> * SM * <==
Shuttle 4 � Nearing the Moon
Brandy checked the shuttle�s approach vector as Sandra attended to
Mariah�s burns. The leader of the Sailors stopped briefly to lecture.
�This would not have happened, had you obeyed my orders,� she said with
a stern look that barely masked a smile.
�I would insult the fine tradition of heroes everywhere if I left a
bad-guy without some witty retort,� Mariah protested.
�ETA to the palace is six minutes,� Brandy said as she entered the
compartment from the shuttle�s cockpit. She pulled her blonde mane over
her left shoulder and her blue eyes flickered with concern as she
asked, �Do you know what happened to you out there?�
�No,� Jupiter said, an equal amount of worry creeping into her
voice.
�Well,� Sandra said. �Both Mercury and Mars have demonstrated an
apparently Eternal form with new powers. I can only assume we all have
them.�
�Yes,� Cassandra replied. � Raye told me that the Eternal form can
only manifest itself during a time of great stress, and that its power
can be very hard to control at first��
�It sounds like we have a lot of questions�.� Brandy murmured.
�Yes,� Sandra echoed, looking at the prone forms of the two �dead�
cyborgs� �A lot of questions.� She turned to Brandy. �Call ahead and
have the castle ready some security measures for our �guests�.
Nodding, Brandy stepped over to a comm box on the wall. After
punching a few buttons, she opened the channel. �Luna Control,� she
said. �This is Shuttle Four, en-route from Tokyo.�
�Welcome home, Sailors,� came the reply.
Looking out the pilot�s window, Brandy could tell that the shuttle
was approaching the mountain range that lay a few miles south of the
castle�within about a minute, the shuttle would clear the top of those
mountains, and the castle would be visible.
Brandy continued. �We are bringing in a couple of�lifeforms�that we
encountered on Earth. We�ll need a security team to take custody of
them when we land.�
�Acknowledged,� the voice said. �Is there anyth�� The question was
drowned out by a roar, then static.
A minute pause quickly passed as Brandy tried to raise the castle on
the comm system. Sandra arose and went to stand by Brandy. Looking out
the window, she saw that the mountains still obscured the view of the
castle.
�Castle Control�� Brandy stared at the comm panel as if it had
betrayed her. �The transmitter is not working?�
Cass suddenly looked up from her seat, her eyes filled with dread.
�No,� she said disconnectedly, �That roar�it was an explosion!�
That grim pronouncement was confirmed a few seconds later when the
mountains fell away, and the vista across Crystal Lake was revealed.
A torrent of fire bloomed on the east end of the castle. Mount
Serenity seemed to be clothed in a hellish halo and the flames had
spread to the castle�s extension southeast of the mountain. The yellow
and orange conflagration pulsed around the end of the castle it
dominated, but the explosion had caused structural damage that radiated
outward like a spider�s web� The communications tower which had been
located north of the castle�s central dome, fell southward and toppled
over in a heap, shaking the already-tortured foundations of the royal
structure�.
The shuttle, having been given no further orders continued on its
course over the lake. The girls could now make out various rooms of the
castle�all in flames�the theatre, the kitchens, the servants� quarters,
the throne room�suddenly that realization hit the girls�
�My god�� Brandy said as tears filled her eyes�.
�Mother�� Sandra murmured numbly�
FINI
Fanfic c 1999 � John Brengman and Artemis Publishing
Sailor X series inspired by Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, c 1992 by Toei
Animation Co Ltd. and based on Kodansha�s manga production of �Sailor
Moon�, written by Naoko Takeuchi
This fanfic is freely distributed. Release date: December 14 , 1998
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