FoxFire Studios Presents

Sailor Moon: American Kitsune

Installment 6-Edward's Side

By Edward Becerra [edward@genesis.org]
Compiled by David Gonterman [dgonterman@aol.com]

Sailor Moon by Toei Animation
Storyline by Edward Becerra
_________________________________
Aboard the Calypso, somewhere over Hawaii...

"Boss, I'm picking up an unusual energy emission directed our
way."

"Anything we've run into before, Minerva?"

"No. A very odd form of energy, too."

"Hmm..." Ed scratched at the scar on his forehead. Then he
pulled a sliver of crystal from his pocket and slotted it into a console
on the bridge. "I got this from Davey. Run a cross check on the data
in this logic solid and see if anything matches."

"One match, boss. According to the data on the crystal, it's
Negaverse energy. The second emission remains unidentified. As the first
is from the Negaverse and we know that Queen Beryl is allied with Rita
and Zed, high probability that the second is from some monitoring device of
Zed's. Most likely the spyscope he gave to Rita."

"Guess that they're on the lookout, expecting someone to
contact the rest of the Sailor Scouts. They're too dumb to think of the
Internet as a way of reaching someone, so they're checking everything flying
over the Pacific." He frowned. "Have they detected us?"

"No way, bwana. Cloak integrity is currently at 103 per cent."

"One hundred and three??"

"I've been working on the ship while you've been away, boss. 
A girl's got to keep herself busy, you know."

"Well, then let's have some fun, m'dear. Any class 8 probes
in storage?"

"Yes, three."

"Good. Fit one with a holographic projector programed to look
like us, and a signal emitter tuned to make it seem like I'm on board. 
They probably already have a scan of me from the fight in Haxtun. Dump it
overboard when the Nega-scum aren't looking. But don't start it up until 
after we leave Tokyo."

"So, while we're heading _back_ with the Scouts, the probe will be
heading towards Tokyo. They'll detect it, and they'll think that
the girls haven't even been picked up yet. That's nasty! I _like_ the way
you think, boss."

"Thank you, m'dear. I try. Now let's get on it. I just wish
we could see the expressions on Rita's and Beryl's faces when they attack
the decoy and discover the trick we've pulled on them."

**************************
Over downtown Tokyo...

"Damn! And I thought Denver was crowded! How in the world do
they manage to fit them all in? Ok, Minerva, let's find the Scouts
and get out of here, _fast_!"

"I've spotted them already, bwana. They're in uniform, as
Davey asked them to be. Unfortunately, there's a large crowd around them."

"Damn! Well, guess that blows the stealth part of this mission. All
right, pull up overhead, and drop the cloak. Then beam me down. 
But not on top of them. I don't want them thinking I'm another Youma
trying to attack."

As soon as the Calypso decloaked, the bystanders spotted it and
scattered. The Scouts, however, prepared for an attack. They
were a little surprised when all that appeared was a very
ordinary-looking American, wearing sunglasses and an battered, ugly looking
Stetson.

*Minerva, you on-line, m'dear?*

~No sweat, boss. Say what you want. I'll handle the translation.~

*Right, then.* He cleared his throat. "<Ahh, hello there! I
take it you are the Sailor Scouts?>"

"<Who wants to know, gaijin?>"

Ed groaned. *That _has_ to be Sailor Mars, alright.* he thought. "<Hey,
I'm not an enemy. I'm here at the request of Sailor Moon. We sent some
E-mail to Sailor Mercury to let the rest of you know what happened. Didn't
you get it?>"

Another scout spoke up. "<Yes, I did. You are the ... Edward
Becerra ... mentioned in it?>" She couldn't quite pronounce the last
name, mangling it badly. "<Sere... I mean, Sailor Moon is all right, isn't
she?>"

"<Yeah, she's okay. One of my friends is helping her. We were attacked
by Youmas back in America. It seems that Queen Beryl has joined
forces with Lord Zed and Rita Repulsaa. Not the best of news. We defeated
her first attack. There will be more, however. That's why I'm here.>" He
pointed up at the Calypso. "<If you're willing, I'll take you to her. 
That's my ship, the Calypso. I'm ready to go, if you are.>"

Right then, a large rose sailed past his shoulder, slicing through his
shirt.

"<Turn and face me, demon!>"

*I don't need this. I _really_ don't.* Without turning around Ed said
tiredly, "<I'm not a Youma, tux boy. I'm just someone trying to help Sailor
Moon. If you want to defend her, I suggest you get your head on straight
and join me aboard my ship. You won't be able to get to America any other
way. Beryl and Zed are searching every thing in the air over the Pacific.
The Calypso is the only thing that can get you all past them. So make up
your mind, you annoying little git. Do you want to come along, or not?>"

Sailor Mercury hurried over to Tuxedo Mask and explained the situation.
When she got him calmed down, the two of them rejoined the rest and Ed took
a head count.

"<All right, then. Four Sailor Scouts, one white cat, and one idiot in a
tuxedo.>" Tuxedo Mask stiffened angrily at the remark. "<Do I have
everyone? Good.>" "Okay, Minerva, eight to beam up." 
___________________________
Over the Pacific, heading back to Colorado...

Edward was dozing in the captain's chair on the bridge of the Calypso,
when he was shocked awake by a screaming klaxon. He fell from the chair
with a thump. "What the Hell(TM)? What's happening? Minerva, report!"

"Sorry, boss, but we got a minor problem. Seems like some of the scouts
are having a catfight over the character in the tux." 

"So what's with the alarms, then?" he said as he stood back up.

"Sailor Mars is throwing some fireballs, b'wana. I've got the fire
suppression systems on-line, we're not in any danger, and I'm foaming the
fireballs as fast as I can, but..."

"Yeah, I know. It's annoying, when she's doing it inside of you. Okay,
let me handle this. I got an idea. Put me on speaker, m'dear." 

"You got it, lover boy."

He cleared his throat.

"Attention all hands. This is your Captain speaking. You might be
interested to know that there's an old tradition aboard spacecraft, whenever
a fight begins. No matter _who_ started the fight, _everyone_ involved is
shoved out the airlock! Now, as we're currently cruising at 60,000 feet,
that means that they'd either freeze or suffocate long before they hit the
ground, some 12 miles below. Would anyone like to comment?"

He turned on the microphones in the ship. Silence.

"Didn't think so. That's all for now. Minerva will be serving soft
drinks and peanuts at all the replicators. Just call her name, and she'll
take care of you. We hope you've had a nice flight and thank you
for flying Calypso Airlines."

He switched off the mike and laughed. "That ought to take care of the
problem, for now. But the sooner we get them to Colorado and off this ship,
the better I'll like it."

"You and me both, boss. We're coming up on the probe we dropped earlier.
Did you want to activate it?"

"Yes, but with one change in plan. Reset the emitter to imitate the
Scouts and Tuxedo Mask, as well as myself. That way, if Beryl, Zed, and Co.
shoot it down, they'll think they've won. And we'll have the advantage of
surprise." He gave her an evil grin.

"Nice touch, boss. Real nasty. I like it."

"Thank you, m'love. Let's do it. And then full speed to Haxtun. I hate
to think that I'm missing the fight."
_______________________________

Edward will rejoin David and Sailor Moon at installment 7