SAILOR JOURNEYS: SECRETS OF AN UNKNOWN PAST Chapter 9: The Rainbow mission. Commander Galos Ami and Alex were quietly discussing some aspects of multi-dimensional physics after the Advanced Calculus session, when an alarm chimed on the desk at Yohann's studio. "Well, it seems that the mainframe finished the reintegration." Commented Alex. Immediately linking to the desk, she confirmed the information. "Yep, it's ready. Shall we go to see what we have now?" "Ok. I'll take the opportunity to check some files. I want to know how your organization achieved those mathematical tools." Answered Ami. "Ami, you're impossible! Does your thirst for knowledge knows no end?" Ami giggled a little, but decided not to answer that question. "Come on. Let's go." And with that, they went back to the Computers room to check their latest results. A couple of minutes later, they were in front of Memory Bank C. "Well, according to this readings, a new cyberspace environment was created after the compiling program finished its work." Explained Ami. "However, if I read this right, there's a big quantity of data that was discharged here as well, but now it's missing." She concluded. "Strange... What's the size of the missing data?" asked Alex. "Hold on." After pushing some keys on the mainframe, Ami got her answer. "About 400 terabytes." "Four hundred? Strange, that's about my own size. Are you sure?" '"Of course. What are you thinking?" Alex remained silent for a moment, and later she said. "I think that you better call everybody here. I have a bad feeling about this." And before Ami could ask anything else, Alex added. "This could be extremely dangerous, Ami! Come on, call them!" One hour later, the whole of the team was together, along with Kenji, Ikuko and Akane. They were together in the living room, wondering what was all about. A moment later, Ami joined them with Alex on her compact. "Sorry for calling you this suddenly, but it seems that we have a problem here." "What happened, Ami?" asked Mamoru. He was sitting next to Usagi, holding her hands. "I'll tell them, whiz kid." Said Alex. "You see, thanks to an idea of hers, we were able to finally decipher the files we obtained from Cryssalid. They were in reality the data to form the operating system of the base, complete with a cyberspace environment. But the problem is... that a big bulk of the data is now missing. We don't know where is it." "What's the size of the missing data, girls?" asked Yohann. "About four hundred terabytes. Alex mentioned that's about her own size." Answered Ami. Everybody felt silent after her revelation. Suddenly, Makoto asked. "But what's the meaning of that? I mean, it's not anything dangerous, right?" "That's what puzzles us, Makoto." Said Ami. "It could be anything, and until we know what we're dealing with here, I suggest that we stay on our toes." "So you really think it's dangerous?" asked Minako, puzzled. But before anyone could answer that, the TV screen on the living room turned on by itself, and a very familiar voice was heard from the speakers. "Well, well, well... looks like you are having a party here and I wasn't invited. And I thought we were friends after all the time we spent together!" Everybody looked at the screen, shocked. Ami began to walk away from it, sitting near her mother and hugging her fiercely, her face without a trace of blood on it. Alex immediately downloaded into Yohann's belt. The adults looked at them, puzzled, not knowing why everybody looked so spooked. It was Haruka the one that answered their mute question. Looking at the screen with hate in her eyes, she muttered one word. "Cauldron..." "Oh, I'm glad you remember me, Sailor Uranus. You put quite a show back there. And for the rest of you, I don't know how to thank you for taking me out of there. This world offers so many opportunities for me, you know?" "You failed once, Cauldron." Said Yohann, immediately activating his armor. "We'll make sure you won't succeed now." "And how are you planning to do that, MeRMAid? I'm in control of your base now!" taunted Cauldron. 'Alex, go to the mainframe and seal all the output ports. I want to keep him confined here.' Ordered Yohann. Without answering, Alex did what she was told. "We are more resourceful than you imagine, Cauldron. We'll defeat you." He said in loud voice. "We'll see, MeRMAid, we'll see... now, what shall I do with you all? You already know my plans you so rudely interrupted regarding your blue-haired genius." When he said that, Akane embraced her daughter in a protective manner. "Oh, I know! Let's have a little fun, shall we? And as my first act..." He began to show a medical report on the screen, deleting the name of the patient from it. Everybody looked at it with great interest. It showed that this person was taking anti-pregnancy drugs, and some other medical facts. Akane gasped when she recognized the data displayed. "Now, can anybody tell me who's report this is? Come on, it's an easy one!" taunted Cauldron. After a moment of silence, he continued. "You are no fun, you know? Ok, I'll show you." Then, in big letters, appeared the missing line of the report. >MEDICAL REPORT. LEVEL 1 >PATIENT DESIGNATION: TSUKINO USAGI. Everybody looked at Mamoru and Usagi, whom felt uncomfortable after the sudden attention they were receiving. But no one was more shocked than... "KENJI!!" screamed Ikuko. The poor man looked like he was having a heart attack: pale, sweating and panting, while holding his hand on his chest. He was pointing one trembling finger towards Mamoru, a killer look on his eyes. "Cauldron!! Stop this! It's not funny!" exclaimed Minako, getting ready to transform and smash the TV screen to bits. "For me, it is! And now, for my second act... let's see if you can guess who's report is this one." The screen began to show, again with the name of the patient deleted, the medical data of another one of the girls, showing what she kept secret from them all. "No one knows our mystery guest here?" asked Cauldron. "Ok, I'll show you again..." This time, everybody gasped when they read the name and the subsequent data. >MEDICAL REPORT. LEVEL 1 >PATIENT DESIGNATION: HINO REI. >DIAGNOSIS: THREE-MONTH PREGNANCY. >ADDITIONAL DATA: TWINS DETECTED Everyone stood unmoving, transfixed by the seriousness of the situation. Suddenly, someone's sobbing broke the silence. Everybody looked around, and saw Rei crying. She felt violated, her most intimate secret was now in the open! Laurella stared at the screen, growling. "Cauldron... you're going down, even if it's the last thing I do!" "Oh, yes? And how are you planning to do that? I'm a computer program, remember? You can't touch me!" taunted Cauldron. "And now, as my final act... you are going to love this one!" But before he could show anything else, the screen began to flash rapidly. "NO!! YOU AGAIN!?!?!" screamed Cauldron. "Very well, you win this round, but don't feel so comfortable. I'll win in the long run! And remember this... your precious Sailor Mercury will be mine in the end! I, Cauldron, promise that!" With that as his farewell, he disappeared. A moment later, Alex was back on Yohann's armor. "Sorry, sweetbuns. He escaped using one of the phone lines before I could completely isolate him. What happened here?" "Cauldron used the data from the medcom for his own twisted benefit." Answered Yohann. "Fortunately, you stopped him before he could cause any more damage." Suddenly, an inhuman cry was heard, and they all saw Kenji jumping towards Mamoru, his face a mask of hatred. "YOU!!" he screamed, "I'LL REAP YOUR HEART OUT!!". It took the combined strength of Makoto, Ikuko, Michiru, Shingo and Usagi to contain him. Mamoru was frozen in his place, not knowing what to do. Meanwhile, Laurella, Setsuna, Robin and Minako were surrounding Rei, trying to console her. The Senshi of Mars was crying, her hands covering her face. She was curled on the sofa, like trying to shield herself from the outer world. Haruka, meanwhile, approached the TV screen and, without a word, smashed the apparatus. "This is the bottom line. I'm going to smash those computers with my own hands!" She then began to walk towards the pool entrance, when Yohann grabbed her gently by the arm. "Let me go, Yohann. I have to do this." She muttered, her voice with a steel edge. "No, Haruka. I won't." said Yohann. "That's exactly what Cauldron want you to do. Look around you." She then took a good look, and understood. "Yes, Haruka. By doing what he did, he succeeded in breaking our mutual confidence. That's the oldest strategy in the book... his specialty." "Very well... you are right. What do you suggest we do now?" asked Haruka, a look of doubt still on her eyes. "First, try to calm everyone and get things back to order. Second, we all have to plan an attack course against Cauldron. Third, try to find out where's the next place we have to visit." And deactivating his armor, he added. "Let's go, Haruka. There's too much to do, and too little time." And with those words, they put hands to work... * * * * 2 days later... All the girls were together at the living room. The last days had been hectic to say the least. First, they had to convince Kenji that his daughter's situation was being handled with all responsibility, and the ensuing debate was somewhat tense, but in the end, the man saw the reality of the situation, and accepted it. Second, they had to convince Dr. Mizuno that her daughter was not only capable of protecting herself, but that everyone was going to look after her. Akane was threatening to lock her daughter in her room back home, and ask for tutors to help her with school. Fortunately, with the combined work of everybody, she finally agreed to let her continue. Right now, they were all trying to handle Rei's situation. She had locked herself away from everyone, and thanks to Usagi and Laurella's efforts, she finally began to open to the rest of the world again. "But Rei," asked Usagi... again. "Why didn't you tell us about this? I mean, we're friends, and friends help and support each other." Before, Rei only closed herself, and saying "none of your business", she locked herself on her room. This time though, she looked at her old friend, and answered the question. "Because... I was scared." "Why?" asked Laurella softly. She was holding Rei's left hand, while Usagi hold her right one. "Well... you see... it's just that... I never expected this to happen! I mean... it just... happened." Rei felt new tears coming, but she fought them this time, and continued. "Don't you see? This is the best thing that has happened to me in all my life! And I'll do anything to protect my children!" This time, she didn't fight the tears, letting them run down her cheeks. "Rei..." began Usagi. Rei looked at her eyes, and saw a sea of compassion and understanding in them. "I know how you feel. Although I'm not a mother... yet," and she glanced at Chibi-Usa, "I'm sure that, when the time comes, I'll do exactly the same." "Yeah!" quipped Minako. "And with you, we'll all practice by when our time comes!" Everybody sweatdropped at her commentary, but no one dared to contradict her. "I... think that Minako is right." Said Ami. Everybody looked at her, puzzled. "I mean, this is our turn to support Rei. I understand that all this is difficult for her, and if what I read about motherhood is correct, we all are bound to experience something like that. We all have to stand together as friends, and show our concern in supporting her." "And look at it this way," added Robin. "This is something we don't know a thing. No wonder Rei feels so scared... but personally, I'm planning to support her anyway I can. Besides... I can't imagine a better way to show that special someone your love than bearing your child..." and sitting in front of Rei, she finished. "Rei, you can count on me for anything." Rei looked around her, and saw that all her friends were offering their help and support. She felt overwhelmed with all the emotional input she was receiving through her psychic senses, and felt grateful for that. Without saying a thing, she stood up, and began to hug all her friends and partners in a mute way that said volumes of her thanks... * * * * Ami, Yohann and Alex were together at the Computers room, searching inside the artificial environment of Memory Bank C in hopes of finding a clue of Cauldron's whereabouts. One hour later, Ami spoke. "Guys? I think I have something here..." "What did you find, Ami?" asked Yohann, linking immediately to Ami's console. "I'm not sure yet... it seems to be some sort of personal log that Cauldron was keeping. But it seems to be coded." Ami then displayed on the main screen her findings. They all watched a series of numerical strings, but by themselves they didn't tell them anything. "I think I can decode it, but it will take me some time..." "Hold on... let me see what I can do with this." Said Alex, while she began to run a series of decoding programs. A few minutes later, she succeeded in her attempts. "Boy, talking about obsessions! Can you believe that he used an alphanumerical decoding program? And that the code word is... Ami?" Yohann and Ami looked at each other, each raising an eyebrow. Alex continued. "You're right, Ami. This is Cauldron's personal log. According to this, Cryssalid was the first base that crashed here, and when he repaired some of the base's facilities, he tracked the fall of the other bases. He also was able to link with them and obtain a detailed list of the things that were inside of them. And sweetie?" "Yes, Alex?" Yohann felt another one of her turn-around sessions coming up... "He compiled a list of very nasty things to use against us... and you're not going to like it. The Stellar Converter was only one of the weapons he planned to get from the ruins." Yohann pondered this new information. 'No... I don't like this one iota...' he thought. And with his normal voice, he added. "Alex, is there something in regards of his activities here on Gaia? Namely, what kind of information he got?" "Let me check, sweetbuns... yes, you're right. He got a lot of information regarding our latest activities. And... oh, oh..." "What is it, Alex? What's wrong?" asked Ami. "He got access to the last logs I stored regarding the Technum Guardians." Answered Alex, her tone of voice hinting her embarrassment. "What's wrong with it? I mean, that case was closed when Gallagher and the Prime were destroyed." Said Ami, puzzled. "Yeah, but there were lot of questions unanswered there, Ami. First, how did the Guardians got down to Earth? Second, their space station in Saturn was the only facility they had? And third, if the answer to the second question is negative, then where are those other installations?" Yohann considered in silence those questions for a few moments, and then touched a few buttons on his console, activating the base's intercom. "Robin, Shingo, will you please come to the Computers room? This is important." A couple of minutes later, the young couple entered the room. "What's the problem, Yohann? Anything new?" asked Shingo. "Can it, Shingo." Said Robin, and addressing Yohann, she asked. "What's the matter?" "It seems that we figured out what Cauldron has in mind. Tell me, guys... what do you remember of the way the Guardians operated?" Robin and Shingo looked at each other, confused. Shingo was the first one to talk. "Sorry, but the only info I can give you is a millenium old. I don't know what happened during the last years, especially the ways they worked lately." "And my dad never told me much about how they operated. I guess he... wanted to protect me from the rest of the Guardians..." said Robin. "I see..." said Yohann. He was about to dismiss them when Ami interceded. "Excuse me, guys, but... Alex mentioned that she was investigating something regarding them. You see... anyone of you knows if the Guardians could make some kind of teleport, like our Sailor Teleport? Or if they could teleport individually?" "No, not at all. Besides the Prime, none of us could teleport." Said Shingo. "We all relayed on spaceships to move through the Solar System." "Well, that answers the first question." Said Alex. "Now, try to remember, because this is important... does the station that Sailor Moon destroyed was the only one that remained operational?" "Well, yes... no!!" suddenly said Robin. "My dad had another station in orbit hidden inside the rings of Saturn. That was his personal haven. I don't know what happened with it, though..." "But what's the case?" asked Shingo. "I mean, even if Technuma's base is still functioning, how is it going to affect us? Besides, the ship Usagi used with Gallagher was destroyed along with the Prime's base." Yohann was pacing all over the room, deep in thought. When Shingo stopped talking, he said. "Alex... compute the probabilities of another Guardian's ship still in existence. One that could still be in operation here on Earth... namely, the ship that brought the Guardian that injured Technuma." "Oh, my God..." muttered Robin, Shingo and Ami at the same time. They never thought of searching for that ship. They all took for granted that Technuma's ship was the only one in operation. No one considered that there could be more than one! "Sweetbuns, I don't know how you get this hunches, but you are right in the money! The probabilities that there's a Guardian ship in operational order here on Earth are of 99.99845%" "This is bad, gang... this is really bad." Muttered Yohann. Suddenly, he moved towards the door, and without looking back, he added. "Shingo, Robin, come with me. We have to talk with the others. Ami, Alex, you are going to continue working on Cauldron's logs. As soon as you have something, come and join us upstairs. We have a situation on our hands... a very serious one." * * * * Cauldron was bored and amazed at the same time. Amazed, because of the amount of information contained on the Internet. Bored, because almost all of it was garbage, of no immediate use for him on his personal quest for vengeance. He was checking some information about secret weapons research in a high-security laboratory on the United States when he felt something... unusual on the web. "Hmmm, what's this? It looks like... a search worm?" He began to analyze it, and discovered that the basic protocols and algorithms used by it were far more advanced than anything he had seen so far. "This could be interesting..." He then began to trace its trajectory back to the source... and was surprised by his findings. He ended up inside a vast and well-organized memory bank, on a computer far more advanced than anything this planet had... except for the MRMA bases. "Well, well, well... what do we have here? This is more like it!" He then began to analyze the data, and the results were even more than he expected initially. "I should have known! This is a Guardian ship!" He immediately tried to link with the control systems of the ship, but encountered that the security programs in there were a little tough to handle... but not enough for him to freeze them and assimilate them onto himself. "Now, this is more like it! A little exercise before the main event..." Soon enough, Cauldron had the totality of the ship's systems under his control, and began to raid the navigation files. He wasn't surprised to learn that the exact location of the Guardian's base was stored there, along with a little extra... "Hehehehe... this is more in line for what I need! And this ship is just the ticket! Saturn, here I go!" With that, he immediately ordered the ship to take off, and was on his way to the rings of Saturn, and to claim what the Senshi and the last Guardian forgot... * * * * "Ok people, listen up. We'll have to move fast." Were the opening words of Yohann when he, the girls and the adults were together on the living room. "We may have a clue of what will Cauldron plan to do now." "What have you found, Yohann?" asked Usagi. She was eating (wolfing is more like it!) on some snacks that Makoto have prepared and was unable to hide when Usagi entered the kitchen. "Thanks to Ami, Alex, Shingo and Robin, we determined that Cauldron will be looking for the ship that was used by the Guardian that almost killed Technuma." "Excuse me? What ship? What are you talking about? Technuma's ship was destroyed when the Prime's station blew to bits!" asked Laurella. Usagi and Chibi-Usa nodded. "I'm afraid he's right, gang." Interceded Shingo. All eyes focused on him. "You see, for what I remember, the Guardians had a ship for each one. Technuma's wasn't the only one in existence." "Thank you, Shingo. Also, there's something more... it seems that the Guardians had more than one space station in existence..." added Yohann. Usagi had to put a hand on her mouth to prevent a scream escape. Yohann noticed it, and immediately continued. "I know this is hard, Usagi, but it's true. Robin mentioned that her father has... or had... a personal Space Station hidden inside the rings of Saturn." "That's right." This time, Robin interrupted Yohann's explanation. "He built it as a personal retreat. I think he called it Saturn Station Delta. He also used it as a personal lab for his medical research." Everybody was silent, trying to assess the consequences this new information implied. It was Akane the one that resumed their collective thoughts. "But... if Technuma had all the medical records of you girls in that place, and Cauldron finds them along with that place..." "He'll have all he needs to launch a devastating attack against us.." concluded Mamoru. "But that's not all, gang." Added Yohann. "Cauldron kept a log indicating a list of material he was planning to retrieve from the downed bases here on Earth. Ami and Alex are working on it as we speak." "And as you were speaking, we finished our job, pork chops! Just wait to see what we found!" said Alex through his belt. Ami entered the living room in that same instant, and plugged her compact into the new TV screen. Immediately, a list appeared on it. "Thank you, Alex. Well, as you can see, Cauldron kept a meticulous record of his plans." She punched a few keys and a section of the list grew larger for all of them to see. "The energy cannon that we found was only one of the weapons he was planning to gather from other downed bases. The next one on the list is this..." she then highlighted the first line of the list. "The base's name is Rainbow. According to this, it was a physics research facility, and the scientists stationed there were on the brink of a major discovery. They were studying the nuclear processes that occur on a star's core, in order to reproduce the same effects for the Agency's planetary corps." When she saw that everybody was giving her blank stares, she simplified. "They learned how a sun works." "BUT!" it was Alex' turn to speak. "they stumbled with a really nasty side effect. They found a way to create a device so powerful, that would turn a star into a supernova! And according to this, a prototype was built and still is in there!" Yohann felt his knees give away under him, and sat down in one of the chairs. 'And I thought that the Stellar Converter was bad enough...' he thought. He was so stunned that he hardly heard Alex' next words. "And Cauldron's final plan was to blow the star of our homeworld! That is, after he tested the weapon first... blowing this star system." "That's horrible!" said Setsuna. "He plans to burn the whole solar system??" "Not only burn, but completely erase it from existence..." said Ami. "You see, after the star explodes, it becomes a black hole... effectively erasing the target and its surroundings." After a large uncomfortable silence, Shingo looked at Yohann. "Boy, I'm glad you're the good guys! You have some really heavy artillery on your side!" Yohann nodded absent-mindedly. He was starting to delineate a plan of attack. "Girls, do you know the actual location of this base?" "Yes, "answered Ami. After punching some more keys on her compact, a word map appeared, with a red cross blinking on the site. "It's located in America. To be precise... here." She then zoomed on the area. "It's on the country named Mexico. Right under two of their most famous volcanoes. The Ixtlazihuatl, and the Popocatepetl." "Excuse me? The what and the what??" asked Usagi, confused by the exotic names. "On the local language, they mean the Sleeping Lady and the Guarding Warrior, respectively." Told her Ami, using her more matter-of-fact tone. "The legend is quite fascinating, and under the light of our actual mission, its origin well might describe an event occurred during the time of the crash of the base, and..." "Thanks a lot, Whiz Kid!" interrupted Alex. "But this is not a history class, but a tactical meeting. We have to stop Cauldron, remember?" "Alex, don't be so rude." Said Yohann all of a sudden. "Ami, how long do you think it will take us to be ready to go there and retrieve the bomb?" "Well, my best estimation is that we need a minimum of three days to be ready. We have to practice on our mountain climbing abilities, as well as getting some equipment that we'll need there." "Mountain climbing? Cool!!" said Makoto, Robin and Haruka at the same time. The prospect of hiking was attractive enough for them. That couldn't be said for the rest... "Very well, then. Mr. Tsukino, Alex, Ami and I will start the next series of simulations to practice on the Gymnasium. Meanwhile, I want the rest of you to go shopping..." "Shopping! Yaaayyy!!" exclaimed Usagi and Minako. "... for climbing equipment and appropriate clothing." Finished Yohann. Both girls groaned, but accepted nevertheless. " Setsuna, do you think you can exchange some gold for money? We're going to need some hard cash and credit cards to obtain what we need." "Excuse me, Yohann?" asked Mamoru. "But wouldn't be easier to use the equipment you already have here? I thought you had everything needed for this mission." Yohann blush a little, but answered nevertheless. "Well... yes and no, Mamoru. You see, the ones that fitted the Leviathan could only foresee so much, but climbing equipment was not on their original plans..." "So, we have to work on our own on this one." Concluded Setsuna. "Very well, I understand. And answering your question, Yohann... yes, I can do it. Anything in special you need?" "Nothing fancy, Setsuna. But one imperative thing is that the credit cards have to be of the international kind. We might have to use them on another country." Said Yohann. Setsuna nodded, and Yohann continued. "Well, I think that's all. Girls, I don't have to tell you to be extremely careful when you go out. Cauldron is still out there, and he'll try to do anything to stop us." * * * * Meanwhile... Cauldron had arrived to Saturn Station Delta, and after feeding the station's computer with the codes he obtained from the ship's logs, he immediately began to take over the facility. Once done, he began to work on his plan. Because the station was designed as a medical research installation, and with the contents of the files he stole from Gaia's medcom, Cauldron used one of the cloning chambers to create a temporary body for himself. "After all," he reasoned during the trip, "what's the case to be confined to a mainframe, when the good things have to be experienced first-hand?" One day later, the process was complete, and his new body was ready for occupation... that is, if he wanted to use a 100% organic body. True to form, once ready, Cauldron ordered the installation of cybernetic implants on the body. "Let me see... how about... this?" the right side of the skull was removed, and replaced with a metal implant, complete with a cybernetic eye, along with some modified organic microchips that were installed on the brain. "Oh, yes... and this has to be changed as well!" the right arm was removed, and replaced with a new metal one. "And this beautiful new body couldn't be complete without... this!" some of the major muscles were removed as well, and replaced with a series of metal bands that were far more efficient than the original muscles. When the mutilation was complete, he downloaded himself inside the body, which immediately came to life... an unholy life, one never meant to exist. Cauldron, now incarnated, then began to roam the lockers of the living quarters, and found a black jumpsuit. Once dressed, he then moved near a mirror, and admired his handiwork. The body had become a grotesque parody of Yohann. Since Cauldron had obtained his genetic code from Gaia's medcom, it was easy for the station's systems to use the data to create a clone of him. For the first time of his existence, Cauldron laughed in pure joy... his revenge was about to be fulfilled, and soon he'll become the conqueror of the MRMA... and perhaps of the whole multiverse! "And now... let the games begin!" screamed Cauldron, and walked to the hangar to begin the next phase of his plan... * * * * Two days later... Usagi, Mamoru, Minako, Rei, Laurella, Shingo and Makoto were strolling around the mall. The two young men were overloaded with lots of bags and packages that the girls have picked up on the last two sporting goods stores they visited. "Geez, do you think all this stuff is really necessary? I'm pooped!" said Shingo. "Yeah! Can we please take a break? I think my arms are going to fall apart any second now!" added Mamoru. Both guys were beet red because of the exertion. "And you call yourselves superheroes? Your general condition is a shame, guys!" said Makoto, who was loaded almost the same as them, and she wasn't even sweating! "Very well, we'll have pity of you. Five minutes break, gang!" Everybody sat down on a nearby bench, and began to regain their breaths. "I'm hungry..." said Rei. "Who wants to come with me to get some ice cream?" "I'll go!" said Robin. " Who else wants one?" When everybody lifted their hands, she sighed. "Well, it seems that we'll have to ferry a few cups here, eh Rei?" "Looks like it. Ok, let's go, Robin." Robin was enjoying her cup of ice cream, when she caught movement through the border of her eyesight. When she turned around, she blinked in surprise, her mouth open. There was Yohann, coming out of the restrooms and heading to the back of the mall! "Err... excuse me, gang? I think I have to... well... you know..." She then pointed towards the bathrooms, and everybody thought that she was going to relieve herself. Robin began to walk towards the exit doors that led to a back parking lot. 'Strange,' she thought. 'I could've swear that I saw him heading this way...' She was about to turn back when she spotted him, standing alone near a big empty space. She smiled broadly and ran towards him, yelling his name. When she reached the place where he was, she noticed something strange in him. "Yohann, what's the matter? You look... I don't know... funny! Besides, I thought you were on the base preparing everything for the departure." "Nothing happens to me, dear... as a matter of fact, I only came here to pick up something I need for the trip." Said Yohann, his voice flat... emotionless. Robin blinked, confused. "Yohann... are you sure you're feeling ok? I mean... you seem to be so... different, like you were someone else!" Instinctively, she took a step away from him. "And... what did you come to pick up?" Yohann then snapped his fingers, and Robin gasped. Right behind him, a ship appeared... a ship she recognized. It was a Guardian ship! But it looked so different now... it was painted (if that was paint at all) in the deepest tone of black she'd ever seen. And printed on the fuselage, on bright violet letters, was the word "DARKSTARR". "Of course I'm different, dear Robin... because I'm not your Yohann... I'm CAULDRON!!" he then dropped his holographic disguise, showing his twisted features to Robin. She screamed so hard that she barely heard his next words. "And the thing I came to pick up... IS YOU!!" Before the stunned girl could react, he touched her with his metallic arm and sent a brief but powerful electric shock through it, rendering her unconscious. Before she fell to the ground, Cauldron picked her up in his arms and began to walk towards the hatch of his ship... A few moments earlier... Rei watched as Robin walked towards the bathrooms, and was enjoying her ice cream, when suddenly, her psychic senses kicked in, warning her that something evil was nearby. She froze on her place, trying to get the location of the sensation. "Rei, what's the matter?" asked Makoto. "It's... Robin!! She's in danger! We have to help her!" answered Rei, and dropping everything, she began to run in the general direction her senses were picking up the signals. Everybody followed suit a brief instant later. Rei literally stormed through the same door Robin crossed earlier, and stopped cold on her tracks when she saw what was happening. Because she stopped so suddenly, there was a brief collision at her back. "Hey, what's the big idea, Rei?? Why don't you..." began to say Usagi, but when she saw in the direction Rei was looking, she felt like an ice cube was running down her back. In front of them, they saw Yohann and Robin, a black ship as big as the Leviathan standing near them, but pitch black! Suddenly, they saw Yohann glimmer, and change his appearance, while Robin screamed at the top of her lungs. The supposed Yohann moved swiftly and touched her, and she dropped to the ground... or would have done if her limp body wouldn't have been caught by the figure next to her. "Everybody, transform!" said Usagi. "SOUL MOON POWER, TRANSFORM!" "MARS CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!" "JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!' "JENDRA CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!" "VENUS SOUL POWER, MAKE UP!" As soon as everybody transformed, they ran towards the black ship. "Hold it right there!" began Sailor Moon. "How dare you to attack one of my best friends? I am not going to accept this! I'm Sailor Moon, and..." "... in the name of the moon, yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah..." interrupted the dark figure. "Oh, please! Can't you think of a better entrance?" "Who are you, and what do you want?" demanded Sailor Jendra. "Oh, I'm hurt, Jendra! Don't tell me you don't recognize me! And you were the one that said that I'd go down, even it that was the last thing you'd do!" "CAULDRON?!?!" screamed everyone. "In the flesh! And now, if you excuse me... I have things to do." "No you don't! Release her right away!" said Jupiter, charging her attack. "Or else..." "Or what, Jupiter?? You are going to attack me? If you do it, you'll hurt your friend! But not before I kill her in front of you all!" He then placed his metallic hand on Robin's neck, and deployed his fingernails, drawing a few drops of blood from the unconscious girl. "Now, stand back if you want her to live!" Everybody had to hold their positions, not risking to have Robin hurt. "That's how I like it. And now, I have to go. I have preparations to make... and oh yes! Don't forget to tell your lieutenant what happened. I have a surprise for him. Until we meet again, sweeties! See ya!" without turning his back to the team, Cauldron entered the ship, and a moment later, it blasted off, becoming invisible. "What are we going to do now? We can't let Robin in the hands of that... that creep!" said Sailor Venus. "We return to the base, guys. We have to tell Yohann what happened. Perhaps he can track Cauldron's ship with his equipment. Let's move out!" Said Sailor Moon, and all the team began to walk back to the mall, to gather the things they left inside and to report to the rest what happened. * * * * Yohann was expressionless, hearing the events that had happened on the mall. All of them were together in the living room. When Usagi finished telling her part of the story, he stood up and, without saying a word, began to walk towards the entrance of the base. "Do you think he'll be all right?" asked Michiru. She was concerned, not only for Robin, but also for Yohann. "To tell you the truth, he scares me." "I know what you mean, Michiru." Said Haruka. "He looks so calm... it's not natural." Suddenly, Kenji stood up, and began to walk hurriedly to the base. "Girls, we have to stop him. He's going to make a big mistake! Akane, go to the Medical ward, and bring a strong tranquilizer. The rest, follow me!" "Dad, what's the matter? Do you know what's going on?" asked Shingo. "I've seen this before. We have to stop Yohann before it's too late!" was Kenji's answer. Without saying anything else, he began to run towards the base, everybody else right behind him. When they arrived to the Weapons Test Center, all of them froze on their places. "Everybody, hold your positions. Don't let him get pass you." Said Kenji. Yohann was wearing his armor, and was carrying with him all the weapons he could carry. A belt of grenades, a portable Plasma cannon, a Guided Missile Portable Launcher, and a backpack with extra missiles and more weapons. He stopped when he saw the gathered people blocking his way. "Step aside. I have to go now." Everybody shivered involuntarily when they heard him. His voice was so calm, so cold, so... emotionless. "No, Yohann... this is for your own good." Said Kenji, not moving an inch. "If you want to proceed, you'll have to take us all down." Usagi, Chibi-Usa and Shingo gulped when they heard him say that. "I'll say this only one more time... step... aside." Yohann lowered the cannon, aiming it towards the girls! "Yohann! What are you doing??" exclaimed Alex. "Have you gone crazy? Stop!" But before anyone could say or do anything else, a chime was heard, and a flat screen lowered from the ceiling. Everybody turned around to look at it, curious. On the screen appeared the words "Incoming Message. Stand by." A moment later, an image appeared on the screen. The girls gasped, and Yohann growled. "Hello, everyone. Greetings from... myself!" "Cauldron!" exclaimed Yohann. "If you dare to even touch one hair of her head, I swear to you, I won't stop hunting you until I destroy you like the monster you are!" "Temper, temper, my dear MeRMAid!" mocked Cauldron. "You should learn to relax like your friend here..." He then moved aside, and revealed an unconscious Robin, lying on top of an operating table. "As you can see, she's resting quite comfortably, unlike you." "What do you want?" asked Yohann. "Who, me? Oh, nothing much... just a couple of insignificant things..." Cauldron then grabbed a cup of ice cream that was on a table near him, and began to savoir it. "Mmmm! You know? I should have gotten a body a long time ago. I never imagined this sensations could be so great!" "Cut the crap, Cauldron! Get to the point!" Yohann was breathing heavily, trying to keep his wits. "Ooh, and you eat with that mouth? Shame on you!" Cauldron then walked next to Robin, and after tossing his ice cream over his shoulder, began to talk again. "Well, since you ask so nicely, I'll tell you. First, you'll surrender your base to me! And second... all of you will swear your allegiance to me! As you can see, I don't ask for much..." he then began to caress Robin's cheek with his metallic hand. "Besides, the life of your friend here is worth more than that, don't you think?" "Never!" said Usagi. "And if Robin were awake, she'd say the same!" "Well, as you wish." Said Cauldron. "But let me tell you something, girl... the next time we meet, you'll regret your decision! And now, just for your eyes... I'll say goodbye to you all... with this!" and in one swift movement, he kissed Robin. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" This was more than Yohann could take. Still screaming, he aimed the cannon towards the screen and opened fire. Everybody scattered, trying to cover. Yohann continued firing at the ceiling, until the cannon's clip went dry. Still, he continued clicking at the trigger. A heavy silence hovered on the place, broken only by the click-click-click of the cannon. He remained in that position for a full minute, and without a warning, he dropped to his knees, the weapons clanking lifeless on the ground. Usagi was the first one that approached him, and carefully placing her hand on his shoulder, she asked. "Yohann... are you all right?" What happened next shocked everyone... with the exception of one person. Yohann turned slowly to look at Usagi, and grabbing her hand, he said. "Usagi, please! You have to help me! We can't leave Robin in the hands of that monster! Please, save her! Please, please... please..." He then collapsed in front of her, and began to cry, his sobs breaking her heart. Without saying a word, Mamoru, Kenji and Shingo helped Yohann to stand up, and guided him to the Medical ward, where Akane was waiting... An hour and a half later, the whole team was reunited again in the living room. Each one of them with the same question on their minds. What to do now? In that same moment, Ami, Akane and Rei joined the rest. All of them looked tired. "How is he?" asked Makoto. "Is he going to be all right?" "I don't know, Makoto." Said Akane. "He's extremely depressed. I gave him a sedative, but I don't think that will help him too much. It's just like... he lost the will to live." "That's right, Doctor." Said Alex. She was now on Ami's compact. "I'm linked directly to his mind, and usually, he's so dynamic, so sharp. But now... well, the best way to describe his state-of-mind is like I'm walking in a desert! There's nothing in there!" "Did you have any luck tracing that call?" asked Mamoru. "I'm afraid not." Answered Ami. "I tried to follow the path Cauldron used to pull that trick, but he sent it all over the world. I couldn't get a fix on it. Sorry." "What about you, Rei? Any luck?" asked Usagi, looking at her friend. "Did you get anything from your fire reading?" "Just one thing. I only got the image of those volcanoes Ami told us before. Besides that... nothing." "And what about trying to trace that ship?" asked Shingo. "No luck on that side either, kiddo." Answered Alex. "I examined all the readings of the base's sensors from the moment you said Cauldron attacked Robin right when he sent that transmission. I used all the tricks in the book, and a few I came up with. So far... nothing, zero, zilch, nada..." "In short, we're back to square one." Said Haruka. "That's just great. What are we going to do now?" "I'll tell you what to do... we'll continue with what was planned." Everybody turned around, and saw Yohann standing near the entrance. "You already said it, Usagi. If Robin were conscious... and with us... she'd say the same." "Yohann! What are you doing up? You should be resting!" said Akane. "Not while there's so much to do, Doctor Mizuno. But thank you for your concern. All right, everybody. Listen up. First, I want to apologize for my past behavior. I know you all should have freaked out because of that, and I want to assure you, that won't happen again. Second, let's keep in mind that Cauldron wants to get his hands on that device that's still on the Rainbow base. We can't let him win. And third..." "And third," interrupted Makoto, "you are in no condition to lead this mission. You have to go back to rest, Yohann! Do you really think you're able to go with us this time?" "I'm afraid she's right, sweetie." Added Alex. "You are truly in no condition to handle anything heavier than a crossword!" "And if you continue on that path, do you think that, when Robin returns, she'll forgive you? I mean, look at you! Do you really want to kill yourself?" concluded Makoto. Yohann raised his hand, conceding the point. "Very well, you win. But before you go down that lane, I want to know one thing... Alex, when are you all going to be ready to departure to Rainbow?" "We're ready to go right now, sweetbuns. And to make you feel more comfortable, I'll go with them inside Ami's computer. You won't have to worry a thing!" "Good. So, you are all decided to go without me?" asked Yohann. Everybody nodded at unison. "Well, then I won't stop you. But, before you go, I want to show you something. Now, if you want to follow me..." He then proceeded to guide everyone inside the base, and walked straight to the Weapons Test Center. "You see, after Sailor Moon almost blasted Endymion and myself when she assimilated one of the crates we recovered from Cryssalid, " Usagi blushed a bright red when she remembered that, "I began to take a close look at the contents of those crates. I finally reached the conclusion that each one can merge with your armors and create a new weapon for each one of you. Well, In short, I now know what kind of weapon will be the end result." "Pork chops, you impress me! When did you reached those results?" asked Alex, puzzled. "Well, you were too busy working with Ami deciphering the Cryssalid Files, so I worked on this around the clock. So, now that that's explained, let's proceed with the next upgrade of your Senshi armors. Michiru, Haruka, Minako, will you do me the honor?" The three girls nodded, and proceeded to trigger their transformations. "VENUS SOUL POWER, TRANSFORM!" "URANUS SOUL POWER, TRANSFORM!" "NEPTUNE SOUL POWER, TRANSFORM!" Once done, they activated their Techno-armors. When they were ready, Yohann signaled three crates on a working bench. "Now, the only thing you have to do, is place your hands inside. Your armors and powers will do the rest." The three senshi proceeded to place their hands on the crates, and just like with Usagi, their armors became fluid and enveloped the contents of the crates. In a flash of Technum light, the assimilation was completed, and all the presents admired the new weapons at their disposal. "Sailor Uranus," began Yohann. "Now you have the ability to create a localized earthquake just using your hands. Your activation phrase is " Uranus Ground Pounder". Be careful when you use it." "I will, Yohann. Thanks." She was looking at her arms. Her gauntlets had now some crystal-looking disks on them, and two piston-looking devices on her arms. However, they didn't hinder her movements. "You, Sailor Neptune," continued Yohann, "have the ability to condense the surrounding humidity of the area, and transform it with your Technum powers, launching it with an incredible force. I calculate that the strength will be at least 6.984556 times greater than your regular power. Your activation phrase is "Neptune Oceanic Blaster." Take good care of it, and it will take care of you." "Understood, Yohann. Thank you very much." A small network of hollow tubes connected to a small backpack traversed all the length of her left arm, and ended up in an aquamarine crystalline nozzle located on the top of her hand. "And you, Sailor Venus..." followed Yohann's explanation. "Your new unit will allow you to break the atomic structure of the target, turning it into atomic dust. The activation phrase is "Venus Molecular Dissolver." Use it wisely... and watch where you point it!" "Thanks, Yohann. This aces!" said Sailor Venus. A series of concentric circles made of what seemed to be microcircuits created with amber stones now circled the ruby-like gems of her gauntlets. "Now that you're ready, the only thing left for me is to wish you all the luck in the world, girls. Be careful out there..." and addressing Usagi, he added. "And please... save Robin and bring her back sound and safe." "Don't worry, Yohann. We will." She said with a smile, attempting to comfort Yohann. And addressing the rest of the girls, she said. "Well, what are we waiting for? There's a job to be done here. Let's move!" 45 minutes later, Yohann, Ikuko, Kenji and Akane watched from the studio's window the departure of the Leviathan, taking the team towards their next adventure. Yohann stood immobile for a few moments before Kenji addressed him. "Yohann, you should better go back to your room and rest. We'll keep an eye on the communications." And placing a hand on his shoulder, he added. "Don't worry, they'll bring her back." Yohann sighed deeply, and turning around, he looked at Kenji's eyes. "Is it that obvious?" This time, Ikuko placed her hand on his. "Well, if the way you behaved around her this last days wasn't clue enough, your reaction down there was more than a confirmation." And tugging his arm, she said. "Come on, you have to rest. Worrying here isn't going to help her." Yohann looked again at the window, and a strange glint showed on his eyes one brief second. No one noticed it... "Yes... I'll go down there and rest. Thank you very much for your assistance." And he began to walk back to the base. Yohann was on the Computers room, feverishly punching the keyboard on a console. After a few minutes of hard work, a message appeared on the main screen. >PARAMETERS ACCEPTED. >FINAL ADJUSTMENTS DOWNLOADED. >DO YOU WANT TO PROCEED? Yohann typed "YES", and a soft humming was heard. >COMPLYING. >ESTIMATED TIME FOR COMPLETION OF "PROJECT STRATOS": 23 MINUTES, 18 SECONDS. Yohann nodded, and then walked out of the room. His steps took him to the Medical ward; more precisely, near the bed where Technuma Saturn was resting. He looked at the comatose man for a couple of minutes, after whose he began to talk softly. "Technuma... I'm so sorry. It's my fault that your daughter is in such a grave danger. I should have been with her, as my heart commanded me. But I was so focussed with my work! I was such a fool! Now that she's gone, I realize how much I love her... without her by my side, I feel dead. I can't bear life without her anymore. She's become my reason to live. But... I'm convinced now that she deserves someone much better than myself. I can only bring her grieve and sorrow... and she doesn't deserve that! She deserves all the happiness this universe has to offer to her... and I'm not the indicated to do that. I still don't know what she saw in me... why does she love and admire me with all her pure heart..." For a brief moment, Yohann thought that Technuma's eyes twitched. 'Could it be... that he heard me?' When nothing more happened, he dismissed it as a hallucination, and continued talking. "Sir... The thing I want to tell you is... that I promise that I'll bring Robin back to your side, safe and sound... even if it costs me my own life! The enemy is powerful, but I don't care. She's the most beautiful and lovely person this planet has ever known, and if I have to die for her to live, so be it!... I don't know if you can hear me, but one thing I'm sure: you'll take good care of her, and be sure that the next man that approaches her will be the right one... the one that she truly deserves." In that moment, a chime was heard, and Yohann approached a nearby screen. He punched a button, and a message appeared. >"PROJECT STRATOS" COMPLETED. >UNIT WAITING AT HANGAR. Yohann sighed, and addressing Technuma one more time, he said. "Well, the time has come. Wish me luck, Sir. Goodbye." He turned around, and when he was near the door, a deep baritone voice said to him. "Not so fast, young man. You have some things you have to explain to me." Yohann froze in his place, not moving a muscle. And very, very slowly, he turned around. When he saw who talked to him, he thought. 'Why am I not surprised? With my recent luck...' Technuma Saturn was sitting on the bed, and the expression on his face wasn't that of a happy man... it was more on the league of the time when Tsukino Kenji saw Mamoru for the first time. "You said that my daughter is in danger, and that you are willingly going to sacrifice yourself for her... and even more... you said that SHE is in love with YOU... and all the way around?" Technuma stood up and walked with sure steps towards Yohann. When he was face to face with him, he continued. "I don't mean to be ungrateful or something, but I think you have too much to explain in that regard. And I'm not going to let you go before you explain things to my complete satisfaction." "Sir... please, I have to go now. The rest of the Scouts and Senshi are already on their way, and I'm not sure if they can..." began to say Yohann, but Technuma interrupted him. "Well then, I think that you'll have to take me with you. And I won't accept a 'no' for an answer! So, what's your decision?" He looked straight into Yohann's eyes, not even blinking, and decided not to give away one inch. After a few seconds, Yohann sighed, and said. "Very well then. But you'll have to dress for the occasion. Do you want a suit like your old Guardian uniform?" He began to punch a combination on the replicator's keypad, when Technuma interrupted him. "No, please... I prefer to leave that part of my past behind... but I'd like something in sapphire, it you can." Yohann nodded, and after resetting the replicator, he obtained a new suit for Technuma. It was a jumpsuit, not different from his own, but with some minor differences. There were no gloves on it, the same as no head cap. And on the left of his chest, on bright blue, was the sigil of Saturn. Once he was dressed, Technuma addressed Yohann again. "Thank you. This is acceptable. Now, what are we going to use to follow the rest of the girls?" "If you please follow me to the hangar... and don't make any noise." Both men entered the hangar, and Technuma was surprised at what he saw. "hmmm.... Not bad. I take they are nearby, right?" "Well... as a matter of fact, they are in transit to another continent. This unit will suffice." Answered Yohann. "You have to be kidding... don't tell me we're going to follow them driving!" Technuma was shocked by that answer. The reason of his surprise was because, in the middle of the launching pad, was a silver car... a Lamborghini Countach, to be precise. By all accounts, it looked like a regular car. Yohann smiled at him, and after opening the passenger's door, he invited Technuma to step in. The guardian of Saturn looked at him suspiciously, but entered the car nevertheless. Yohann took the pilot seat. "Now, Sir... fasten your seatbelt. I think you're going to like this." Yohann then opened a small compartment that was between the seats, and punched a red button. Immediately, the board began to morph, taking the form of a very stylized combat jet cockpit! Once the transformation was completed, Yohann entered a numeric sequence on a keypad, and the platform began to rise. "Young man... you definitely have a lot to explain to me!" said Technuma Saturn, watching with interest the whole launch process. Akane and the Tsukinos were at Yohann's studio, checking the readings of his computer desk, when they heard the pool complex starting to move again. "What's going on? Do you think the girls are coming back?" asked Ikuko. "I don't think so, dear. They'd have called before." Answered Kenji. "I have a bad feeling about this..." added Akane. "You don't think that Yohann..." "He's crazy enough to try anything on his own. We better check out." Said Kenji, and he began to walk outside, followed by the two women. When they went out via the living room door, he only managed to say. "What in God's name....???" Through the transparent windows of the pool building, the three adults could see the form of a car. But what really surprised them was that the car began to float in mid-air! When it was about to clear the roof, they gasped when it began to retract its wheels, and a series of control wings sprouted on the bottom and the sides! Once it cleared the roof, a couple of turbines sprouted from the back, and in a flash, it disappeared. They stood still for all the time the pool complex took to regain its original form. Once silence reigned again on the place, Kenji spoke again. "Well.... I have to admit it... that boy has a really big bag of tricks! I never imagined he could pull a stunt like that." "What worries me now," began Akane, "is if he can be of any help to the girls. He's too unstable right now!" "Somehow, I think that he knows exactly what he's doing." Said Ikuko. "And I pray that he's not too late to help the girls." * * * * Inside the Leviathan... Everybody was a little bit nervous. Granted, they had new weapons to aid them, besides their natural powers and the aid of Alex, still... "I wish my sweetbuns were with us." Said Alex. "I mean, we can use his tactical abilities here. Who knows what does Cauldron has in store for us now?" "I know what you mean." Said Chibi-Usa. "But you saw how he broke down after that message." "But why did he reacted that way?" entered Minako. "I know he wants to protect all of us, but I think he overreacted, don't you think?" Makoto sighed. 'Sometimes she can be so dense!' and praying that she was doing the right thing, she said. "No, Minako. He didn't overreacted. As a matter of fact..." She felt silent, not sure if to continue. "As a matter of fact..." continued Usagi. "He's in love with her, right Makoto" When the tall brunette nodded in agreement, she added. "And you knew about it all the time." "You knew? How? Come on, you started this, so you have to end this story!" said Rei, fixing her gaze on Makoto. "Very well..." and after sighing, Makoto continued. "I found out when we were on the island we took him so he could relax. It happened during the last night we spent there..." She then began to explain how Robin and Yohann encountered on the beach, finally declaring to each other their mutual love. "Hold it right there!" interrupted Alex. "How come I didn't detect that on his mind? I mean, we're closer than that... that bimbo could ever be!" There was a big amount of fury on her voice when she said that, taking aback everybody. "Perhaps he wanted to keep that bit of information just for himself, Alex." Said Ami. "After all, we humans like to have some things just for ourselves... especially in the matters of the heart." She then winked at Minako, who smiled back at her sweetly. "Hmph! Still, that's no excuse for his actions!" finished Alex. Ami closed her eyes, and pictured Alex crossing her arms, literally fuming! "That's so romantic!" said Laurella. "Declaring their love under the night sky, with the sea and the moon as witness..." She had little stars shinning on her eyes, imagining the scene. Suddenly, she felt a gentle pressure on her shoulder, and saw Shingo standing next to her, smiling at her sweetly. He then mouthed silently 'When we get back... I promise.' "Yes... it's romantic, Laurella... and that's when I knew that I'd lost all chances with him." Finished Makoto, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Chibi-Usa walked next to her, and holding Makoto's hand, she said. "Makoto... don't be sad. Well... how to say this? You'll be happy. You see. Who knows? Perhaps Mr. Right is waiting for you nearer than you think... and you'll stumble with him when you less expect it! I know, being from the future!" Makoto looked at the sweet pink-haired girl, and caressing her cheek, she said. "Thank you, Chibi-Usa. I feel better now." Smiling, Chibi-Usa went back to her seat. Without anyone noticing it, Setsuna placed unconsciously her right hand over her left, touching her annular finger, and thinking of the words Chibi-Usa said. 'Perhaps Mr. Right is waiting for you nearer than you think... could it also be my case?' Her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Alex. "Focus here, everybody. We'll be over the general area of Rainbow in 24 minutes. Don't get distracted!" Everyone went silent, remembering the importance of their mission... and wondering what could be waiting for them there. * * * * At the Stratos... Yohann had decided to tell the whole truth about his real origin to Technuma. Once he finished, Technuma looked at him, and said. "The MRMA? I think the Prime mentioned that there was an attempt from you to contact him, but he refused. I thought he was joking, but seeing you and this craft... not to mention your base... but still... the concept of parallel universes... it's so strange." "Not when you're in the middle of the action, Sir." Said Yohann. "At least, we were able to establish that the most dangerous material ended up on this universe. I don't want to even imagine if this stuff ended up for example, on the Dark Kingdom... or a worse place than that. Just one thing, Sir. Please keep my origin a secret. No one else have to know about it." "I understand your reasons, Lieutenant, and I will, rest assured. But still... you haven't explained one very important thing to me... how did you meet my daughter? And what are your intentions with her?" Technuma's voice had a light edge on it when he asked that. 'Oh, boy... he didn't forget about that one... ok, here goes nothing.' Yohann then began to relate in a condensed form all the events that had happened, from the moment of his crash landing to the present. Once he finished, there was a fairly long silence, suddenly broken by Technuma. "I see... well, I won't emit any opinion until I talk with Robin. But I want to tell you just one thing, Lieutenant." "Yes, sir?" "That if, in some way, you hurt her feelings, I'll personally go after you and make you pay dearly for it. Is that clear?" His tone of voice was calm, but nevertheless promised a world of pain for Yohann! "... Yes, Sir. Crystal clear, Sir." Said Yohann. 'Oh, boy... I've heard of overprotective parents, but this is another league entirely!' And focussing on the HUD (Heads Up Display for those of you that doesn't know what that means -the author), he deviated the conversation. "I have a fix on the Leviathan's beacon. We'll catch up with them in another 10 minutes." "Very efficient, Lieutenant. I congratulate you." Said Technuma. "Thank you, Sir. And please... call me Yohann." "All in due time, all in due time... Lieutenant." Yohann only nodded, but added for himself. 'Why me? Why me all the time?' TO BE CONTINUED...