Adam Allgood pianodrums@aol.com I have noticed that other authors post disclaimers before their stories. Here's one. Sailor Moon, and all related characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha, Bandai, Dic, etc. Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry, and all of it's related characters belong to Paramount Pictures. Any other characters were created by me. Star Trek: Sailor Moon Mutual Dilemma Chapter 15 "Oh my God." Captain Picard stepped back, stunned at the new revelation. He tapped his communicator. "Picard to Bridge. Go to an extended yellow alert. Step up all activities relevant to preparing for battle." Serena and Darien eyed the captain nervously. He looked at Serena. "Well, it seems that we need to really be ready!" The Ten-Forward lounge was only partially full when Mina and Devon were completing their supper. Earlier, the lounge was swamped with officers in all three different colored uniforms. The waiters and waitresses, all wearing green, were busy dashing to one table after another, taking orders, and bringing them to the bar. The woman working at the bar was quite unusual. Mina had met her earlier, but Devon was intrigued by the way she composed herself, even in tight situations. Not once did she wipe her brow, or show any signs of stress. She even left her post behind the bar, and talked with people at other tables. Then came that bar of yellow light on the wall panels. Once the officers in gold saw it, they immediately stood, and left the room. The officers in red stood as well, but they all tapped on their communicators and spoke to their superior officers before leaving. Now, only a few civilians and off-duty 'graveyard shift' officers remained. Devon wanted to inquire about what was happening, but Mina pulled him back into his seat. Both of them had finished with their food, and their dishes had been cleared away by the now bored waters and waitresses. Devon was drinking an unusual drink that the hostess, whose name was Guinan, had suggested. It was called a 'Rigelllian Sunset.' The drink came to the table as a clear liquid, but the waiter who brought it, as he left, tapped the glass's rim. The liquid instantly transformed into a reddish orange color. It had an interesting flavor; like exotic fruit, but not that sweet. Mina also had an exotic drink, but hers was a deep blue color. It was a carbonated drink, but it wasn't soda. Guinan called it: The 'Midnight Sun.' The people aboard this vessel sure knew how to slap together enigmatic beverages! Neither drink had been touched in the past five minutes. Mina and Devon stared into each other's eyes. They wallowed in the silence. Devon was mesmerized by Mina's ocean-blue irises. Her large, captivating eyes were extremely clear, and they shimmered like the passing stars in the window. Her small mouth was encased in smooth, deep red lips, that she occasionally moistened. Devon didn't want to ruin the moment with conversation, especially since he wasn't quite sure what to discuss with this incredible person. She was so nice. Earlier in the meal, he began to discuss subjects that caused most other kids to label him 'nerd.' What he found interesting, others found boring. Mina, however, listened intently with a smile on her face. When he began to drone on, she tactfully changed the subject, without being unfriendly in the slightest. Devon was thankful for this. It put him more at ease. She had a great sense of humor, and a carefree attitude that encased a great intelligence. Mina was also studying her companion. She noted his carefully combed brown hair, and his thought-out mannerisms. This really must mean a lot to him. She thought. He was a very friendly person. He didn't seem to judge, or suspect anyone. He was also, a very innocent person. He was also just a mite naive, but that could be changed. He seemed to be inexperienced. It was his first date. His discussion matter sometimes wandered to topics not normally discussed in detail; science, math, etc. She steered him back, and he immediately shifted to a better topic of conversation. He didn't make himself distant, and he didn't rush things. He seemed a mite shy at first, but he calmed down considerably as the meal progressed. He was a nice, friendly, intelligent person. The silence was broken by Devon. "I-I really enjoyed myself tonight. Thank you for inviting me." He smiled into his drink and took another sip. Mina smiled as well. "I enjoyed it too, Devon." "What do you think of that drink you're having?" Devon inquired. "It's the strangest tasting thing I've ever had! I mean, it's really weird!" They laughed. "Mine's pretty good, but there's something in it that I don't like. The bartender, Guinan, called it 'synthehol.' " He took another sip of the reddish liquid. They soon finished their drinks. Mina slowly stood, and Devon did the same. "Well, I guess we should leave before we drive the poor hostess crazy." Mina quipped. Devon chuckled. They exited the Ten-forward lounge. Guinan, watching them leave, smiled inwardly. Then she continued to organize her dishes. Devon and Mina strolled down the corridor towards their quarters. Devon was slightly surprised that he was being allowed to room with five girls, but he realized that the moral codes aboard this ship were probably different. At last, they arrived at the door. Almost immediately, Mina's communicator sounded. She tapped it. "Mina here." The voice of Captain Picard sounded from the instrument. "Mina, I am assembling a conference with the five Sailor Scouts, and 'Tuxedo Mask'. Please come to the conference lounge." Mina smiled. "Captain, where is the conference lounge?" There was a slight sigh on the other side. "Take the lift to deck one, then cross to the door on the other side of the Bridge from my ready-room, and then go straight to the next door." "Thank you." Mina tapped her communicator when Picard cut the link. She looked at Devon, who was standing outside the door. "I guess I'll see you later." He said. To his utter surprise...and pleasure, Mina leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He flushed, and touched her smooth hand, which rested on his other cheek. They smiled "I'll see you later." They parted slowly, and a totally jubilant Devon entered the guest quarters. The four other Sailor Scouts, and Darien, who now seemed normal, were already assembled in the conference room when Mina arrived. She took the closest seat to the door, and then listened. Picard was marveling at Darien's rapid recovery from the Borg's assault on his body. "It's amazing," he began, "that your body has recovered so quickly from the DNA damage that the Borg inflicted. It's only been a few days, and already your appearance seems to be normal. I myself had to be in bandages for over a week!" Darien smiled slightly, and wrapped his arm around Serena, who flushed, and radiated her joy across the room." He said, "Because of my special powers that enable me to act as the guardian of the Earth and Moon, I have an accelerated healing power." "That's an understatement." Darien laughed, a modest look on his face. During the past few days, Picard had had a difficult time looking at Darien, and not expecting Roshalon. He quickly realized that this man had a rich, magnanimous personality. The captain began to respect him for his incredible bravery, after such a horrible trauma. Then, the captain switched gears, and prepared to get down to business. "Now," he began, "according to this gentleman," pointing to Darien, "the Borg have gained the knowledge about a certain power source on the moon." Darien released Serena, frowned, and clenched his fist. Serena gasped. "Queen Serenity!" Picard was confused. "Who?" "My mother, on the Moon...she still lives there. If they, the Borg...if they..." Picard looked sympathetic, but he still prodded her for information. She continued. "My mother, Queen Serenity, exists on the Moon, and she commands what is left of the kingdom there. If the Borg take her, and the ruins of her kingdom...they could learn about its incredible power, and use it against the universe." Picard didn't quite understand how one could live on a body that held no atmosphere, but he didn't say so. "Then you believe that the Borg must be stopped from going to the Moon." The scouts all nodded. "Oh yes." The captain frowned, and leaned on the conference table. "As you are all probably aware of this...The Borg are currently building a cube on the Earth's surface in preparation for travel to the Moon." Amy looked up. "Captain, what exactly is a Borg cube?" The captain and Darien sighed loudly. Picard spoke. "It is the normal vehicle used by the Borg. It is far more powerful than the sphere we faced. In fact, the spheres are so small compared to a cube, that they usually dock inside a cube. These motherships are vast...many kilometers long, high, and wide. They have a massive gravity well, capable of pulling ships out of warp." Amy sat back, trying to digest the extreme size of the enemy. Picard continued. "We have two more ships adrift nearby. Both are severely damaged. My engineering staff is preparing to travel to these ships, and hopefully repair them before the Borg can launch. We cannot fire into the planet, because it would cause severe atmospheric damage, and possibly volcanism. However, even with three ships, we are still in trouble. Our vessels look like bugs compared to a cube." "The bigger they are, the harder they fall!" Shouted Lita. The others cheered. "It looks like you need a boost in your power." Raye said. "I believe that we can be of assistance, Captain." Amy said. Picard motioned for them to continue. Amy did. "As your crew has noticed, each scout possesses a unique power, attained from extraterrestrial origins." Picard nodded. She continued. "We each specialize in a certain force, forces which your ship has to a degree." "We can enhance your power with ours!" Mina interjected. "Right!" Amy exclaimed. "I, with a manipulation of water and bubbles, can assist you with your shields...creating frequencies never encountered by the Borg." "I can help you with phasers, boosting their power, and also creating new frequencies." Said Mina, holding up to fingers. "I can help power the photons." Raye suggested. "You could use my lightning in engineering, Captain" said Lita. "And I can raise your ship's energy levels" said Serena. Darien leaned forward. "I would be able to assist your security forces in blocking the incoming Borg forces, and I know they'll come." Darien said, nursing a rose in his hand. Picard's eyes widened. The man didn't enter the room with that rose...it just materialized. The captain sat quietly in thought for a few seconds. "I need time to consider this. It's late. Go and rest for now, and I'll send you to those various areas tomorrow." The captain smiled. "Thank you for your offers. Dismissed." Lita, Raye, Amy, and Mina stood and moved for the door. Serena and Darien stood arm-in-arm. The dark haired young man closed his eyes tightly, and turned to Picard. "Captain, they must be destroyed fast! I can hear them in my mind!" Serena looked up at her love in concern. Picard nodded grimly. "I agree with you entirely. I can still hear their ugly song too. However, we cannot risk this ship and crew to a hasty battle. We must wait until the time is right to attack." "Captain, what if the time is never right?" The captain stood, and faced Darien. "Then...may God help us all."