(Rating: PG-13) Last call. ============================================= Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Orion An original fanfic by LeVar Bouyer Episode 419: Sayonara at the End of the Dance ============================================= Two short tones sounded in headquarters. The assembled techs were completely silent. "All entrances secure," Vanessa said finally. "Valhalla is sealed." A second clock still ticked down the time until the base completely flooded. Three hours after that, they were to reopen the doors. "Guys," said Sammy, "I've confirmed that it was Sailor America's communicator down there." It hardly mattered now, but there was a tiny bit of solace in knowing Sailor Orion wouldn't have to die alone. "What do we do?" asked a lieutenant (j.g.) from communications. "Should I contact search and rescue to-" "Sailor Orion's last order was not to open the entrances before the three hours were up, no matter what the reason." Kim seemed resigned to the fate of the senshi, yet determined to honor their commander's final request. "We will follow that order to the letter, is that clear?" "Yes, sir." "Good. Contact Sailor Cassiopeia and request instructions. Until we get word from them, we'll maintain alert status and allow damage crews to get to the affected areas." She sat down, thoroughly disliking this side of being in command. There came a chorus of "aye-ayes", but she knew them to be less confident and enthusiastic as they might have been if one of the senshi had given it. For the thousandth time she wished her commanders were still here. ***[title sequence]*** Sailor Orion looked at the one named Afibo with murder in her eyes. The alien held Sailor America as a shield while the brunette continued to struggle. All could hear the sound of water rushing two levels below. "Last warning," said Sailor Orion, her voice barely under control. "Release Sailor America and come with me peacefully, and I guarantee in the name of Her Majesty Queen Serenity the Second, you will be treated fairly. Refuse, and you'll die." A pause. "Your call." "Our race is dead already," spat Afibo. "What you haven't killed you've captured, and we do not choose to linger long in captivity." He fixed a cold glare at the senshi with the green skirt. "Yes, I will die, and I'll make sure you die with me." Sailor Orion bowed her head ever so slightly, and her glasses turned opaque with the reflection from the overhead lights. She drew Kedalion to a ready position. "Let her go, damn you!" "No." "Kyaaa!" She charged, sword raised. Afibo raised an arm to parry the sword blow, but Sailor Orion had anticipated that. She tossed Kedalion aside to embed itself in the wall. Taking the outstretched arm, she swung the alien around while delivering a solid shoulder check. Afibo was knocked off balance, but to Sailor Orion's dismay retained his grasp on America. Both fell to the ground, the brunette unintentionally cushioning the alien's fall. Sailor America grunted from the crushing weight. Sailor Orion wasn't finished yet. With an inarticulate shout of rage, she kicked Afibo savagely in the midsection. Then again, and again, not feeling any pain through her green boots. Finally, she composed herself enough to fashion the words. "Get off her, you thrice-damned bastard!" He finally rolled over, but still kept an iron grip on Sailor America. Both tumbled down the hallway as Sailor Orion ran over to grab Kedalion and stalk after them. The alien crashed into a wall and Sailor Orion took advantage. Two powerful kicks to the head should have killed the being, but Afibo seemed unfazed. For her part, Sailor America was still looking for a way out. All her struggles to break free from the alien's grip had failed so far, and her attempts were growing increasingly desperate. This would be the most desperate yet. She was counting on something all senshi were taught from day one not to count on, yet had sustained them for thousands of years: luck. Without the arm motions to use as a focus, having only the concentration of her own mind to guide and direct it, she uttered her attack phrase. "America Stars and Stripes!" Sailor Orion barely had enough time to realize what was going on when she shut her eyes and began to turn away. Even then, she could see bright outlines through her closed eyelids when the attack fired. In other circumstances she would have been impressed: Sailor America had managed to use her power at a low enough level that she didn't burn herself or anyone else in the hall. All it did was effectively blind Afibo. He stumbled, in the process letting go of Sailor America. She wasted no time in getting away from him, leaving Sailor Orion to face down the staggering alien. The redhead stood at her full height. "Her Majesty believes in forgiveness. You have one last chance: surrender." Afibo reached inside his robes. Fearing the worst, Sailor Orion automatically assumed he was reaching for a weapon. She acted accordingly. With hardly a thought, she swung her sword high, detaching Afibo's head from his body with a simple, sickening swish. The headless corpse dropped to the ground without a sound, blood instantly forming a puddle on the metal floor. A puddle rapidly being diluted by water. "C'mon Jen, this level's flooding too!" Not giving Sailor Orion any time to consider what she had done, Sailor America grabbed onto her hand and led her down the hallway and towards a stairway. The two raced up four levels, then paused. Valhalla had never been a very deep base, and they were almost at the top level, which was separated from the surface by four meters of rock, topsoil, some token armor plating, and, of course, all the basements and subbasements and garages and subways and utility tunnels of Nagano-2. It was terribly depressing to think that those four meters prevented them from avoiding death by drowning. Sailor America would not be defeated. "American Stars and Stripes!" she called again and again, each time blasting through a bit more of the barrier. The water was pooling around their knees when Orion drew her sword a final time and struck at the ceiling. Then the gray light of day broke through, and they were out. *** Three days later. "The last prisoners . . . er, defectors, have been transferred, Sailor Orion," said Sailor Cassiopeia with a hint of relief. "Understood." She was in the main command center: the sixth floor room where the latter half of the war had been planned and thought out. "One question, though?" "Yes?" Sailor Cassiopeia was on the bridge of her ship, Sailors Adhura and Phoenix at her side. After a couple days to sort out the messes left by the invasion, H.M.S. Kaze was preparing to leave the system. It was due to be relieved the next day by a larger group of ships carrying needed supplies. This was essentially good-bye. "Why have a dozen of the aliens been left here? Especially the commander, Holbrow . . . I'd think intelligence would want to question her." "They do," answered Sailor Cassiopeia. "That's why . . . oh, hi Sailor America!" She waved to the brown haired senshi, who had just stepped into the control room and moved into range of the visual pickups. "Sorry I'm late," said Sailor America, brushing back her ponytail. She made a beeline for her lover. "Had some last minute business to attend to." She smiled, wrapping her arms around a surprised-looking Sailor Orion and giving her a rather lengthy and passionate kiss. Sailor Orion could do nothing but respond in kind. The rest of the control room coughed nervously, or found dust and grime on their computers to be deserving of particular attention. On the screen, Sailor Cassiopeia simply grinned. "Nice to see the RSN's lovebirds are still together," she said with a wink. Inwardly she sighed; when was the last time she had made love to her boyfriend? She really did neglect him, as she had all the boyfriends and girlfriends she'd been through since she lost Sailor Rigel on the 5th of April, 3035. She forced the thoughts from her mind. Let her enjoy the love she could see between these two. "You know, Royal Star Navy regs prohibit public displays of affection like that," she said with a smile. The two finally broke off. Sailor America turned to face her protégé. "Screw the regs," she said cheerfully, reaching down and giving her lover a last squeeze on the bottom before separating. "That's what I say," Sailor Cassiopeia answered evenly. "Anyway, like I was saying, Intelligence is coming here. Apparently Holbrow is really keen on staying on your planet, she wouldn't hear anything about going to the moon." "Maybe she's afraid of Serenity." "Or her mother, more likely," added Sailor America. "The present queen is an unknown quantity to her." Sailor Orion nodded. "Makes sense." "How are things going down there?" asked Sailor Cassiopeia. She hadn't had much time to check on what the civilian population of Hinansho had been doing. "Things are almost back to normal," replied Sailor Orion, leaning against a computer with Sailor America at her side. Sailor Cassiopeia raised an eyebrow. "That depends on what you--oh, what is it?" she asked, turning to a tech on her bridge who had asked for her attention. "Incoming transmission," explained the man. "Type E, from Luna." Almost in unison, the command staff in Nagano-2 blinked. "E type is experimental," explained Sailor Cassiopeia. "It's a slight variant of what we used to get our ship here so quickly. Very close to simultaneity, close to 70% under ideal circumstances." She rubbed her chin reflectively. "Y'know, I'd bet it's-" "-her Majesty," finished the first tech. "She, well, she wants to speak with you." Everyone in the command room in Nagano-2 looked back at Sailor Orion. "Why do you think it has to be me?" she asked, though she knew the answer. Before anyone else could give it, the image on the main screen flickered and changed to a surprising sight. They had expected Queen Serenity II, and to be fair that was who they got. They hadn't expected the planet senshi gathered with her, along with the Queen Mother and her husband. "I take it that your silence is one of respect?" asked Serenity II with an ironic smile. "Well, that is . . . ." "No need to explain yourself, Sailor Orion." There was a long pause; even this new method of communication involved lag times close to thirty seconds. Apparently she had waited for a response, but refused to show any surprise when she didn't get one. "Anyway, I just thought I'd say hi to you guys, and congratulate you on your impressive showing in the last few months." Sailor Orion bowed automatically, despite the hundreds of light years separating them. "We did our best, your Majesty." "Your best," said Sailor Mercury, "would put many others to shame. Given your circumstances I have nothing but praise for you, Sailor America, and the others. Be sure that the rest of us feel the same way." The others nodded their agreement, even Sailor Uranus, who had to be given a gentle nudge. "We're particularly impressed by your command staff," added Sailor Neptune. "They played an excellent role in supporting you throughout the crisis." "Th-thank you, sir," stammered Sammy. "No," said Sailor Venus as she shook her head, "we should thank *you*. If you hadn't stopped the aliens, they would have moved on to Earth, and who can say what they might have done then?" "We would have sent them packing," Sailor Mars said. Sailor Venus responded with such a cold look that Sailor Mars was forced to make the amendment, "simply because we had more numbers." "To get to the point," said Sailor Jupiter, "you three--Kim Young, Sammy Porter, and Vanessa Leeds--are truly deserving of praise, and we plan to deliver it. "Effective immediately," said Sailor Uranus, "the three of you are promoted to the rank of commander. H.M.S. Kaze will be leaving in another week, that should be enough time for you to make preparations." Sailor Pluto shifted the Time Staff from one hand to the other. "You've got two dozen captains throughout the RSN clamoring to get you assigned to their ships. You're in great demand, and you've earned it." The senshi of time had been absent quite often in the last few years. Apparently this occasion was important enough for her to come out of hiding. "You should be proud." The three valkyries looked at each other, then at the screen. Vanessa spoke for them all. "Your Majesty, sirs, we *are* honored, truly. But we can't accept." After the time delay, looks of shock rippled through the planet senshi. "What?" asked the Queen, a slight frown on her face. "But-" "We can't," continued Sammy simply. "Sirs, we've been through everything with Sailor Orion, and lately with Sailor America too. We can say without a doubt that they're the best commanders anyone could ask for. We wouldn't want to serve under anyone else . . . and if you transfer us, we'll have to resign." Vanessa and Kim nodded their agreement. The Queen Mother reached over to nudge Sailor Mars on the shoulder. "I *told* you they wouldn't do it," she chided with a grin. Sailor Mars mumbled an incoherent reply. Sailor Orion noticed none of this. "You . . . you would really do that?" she asked incredulously. "This is the chance of a lifetime!" Sailor America put a gloved hand on her lover's shoulder. "Some things are worth passing up others for." She leaned up to give Sailor Orion a quick kiss. "Especially you!" The redhead blushed. "Thanks," she murmured. "Well then," said Sailor Saturn, "there's no reason to make you do something you don't want to." Not waiting for approval, she pressed on. "You're promoted to full commanders anyway. However, you'll remain assigned to Hinansho for as long as you like." The valkryries bowed as one. "Thank you!" "Don't mention it." Queen Serenity II turned to face the Nagano-2 senshi. "Keep up the good work. Perhaps we'll meet soon." "We'll look forward to it," said Sailor America. Sailor Orion nodded as well. "Your latest dance with danger is at an end, Sailor Senshi." Serenity smiled. "Goodbye." *** Nighttime in the Sakachi/Pearcy household. Jennifer and Eileen lay wrapped under a blanket in their second-floor bedroom, an occasional giggle or sigh or moan echoing off the walls. Finally, Jen came up for air, Eileen just a moment later. Both lay panting for a moment, a thin sheen of perspiration covering their faces. "We haven't done this in much too long," said Jen breathlessly. "Saving the world puts a damper on romance, Jennifer," said Eileen with a smirk. "A damper, yes." Jen kissed Eileen gently on the nose. "But nothing can ever truly put it out." "True." Eileen rolled over to check her clock. 23:53. "So, what are you doing now that all this is over?" "Hm . . . school is out until mid-January, so I'll probably hang around here for awhile, or at headquarters. Maybe fix up around the house, do some research. You?" "I have a three week vacation planned," she said. "Christmas *is* tomorrow, even if the world has made us forget about it. And I intend for us to be together for it." Jen smiled and kissed her lover passionately. "Perfect." She began to leave a trail of kisses down Eileen's mouth, then her chin, neck, and between her breasts. BRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGG! "Dammit," muttered Jen quietly. "The phone!" "Sounded awfully like that old alarm clock you had . . . never mind." Eileen reluctantly withdrew from her lover's attentions and hit the receive button on the night-stand, careful to choose voice-only. "Hello, Eileen Pearcy speaking." She had stubbornly refused to use the Japanese "Moshi-moshi, Pearcy desu," feeling that she had to maintain her American identity. Jen felt that Eileen chose odd spots to pick her battles, but otherwise said nothing. "Um, hello, Pearcy-san . . . is Sakachi-sensei available?" Eileen choked back a gasp as Jen resumed kissing Eileen's chest. "No," managed Eileen eventually, "she's very much involved with me at the moment." "Will she be available later?" "Not in this . . . ohhhh . . . lifetime." "Um, what about my thesis? I haven't been able to get in touch with her about it in awhile, you see, and I just wanted to know if she could give me some advice." Jen mumbled something muffled. As a part of Eileen's anatomy was in her mouth it was hard to make out. Eileen cocked her head and tried to figure out what Jen had just said. "I think her advice was for you to go to hell." Jen giggled, forcing the brunette to chock back yet another gasp. Instead, she said: "Maybe I heard incorrectly, though." "M-maybe I should call back another time?" "Yes," said Eileem amicably. "And once classes start again, you know her office hours." "Erm, yes." "Good. Bye now!" She was all mock-anger as she closed the connection. "Silly boy." "Silly girl," teased Jen. "Trying to talk on the phone when your lover is trying to pleasure you." Eileen smiled broadly. "What can I say? I'm a born multitasker!" "Multitask this!" said Jen. Gleefully she hit a switch and turned out the lights. *** The two senshi walked out into the snowy Christmas morning. By mutual unspoken consent they wore their sailor fuku, not noticing the cold at all. They strolled along the sidewalk, pausing a moment to admire the handiwork of a snowman in the front yard of a neighbor, and grinning as they noticed the fake red hair and blue eyes attached to its face. "Doesn't look a thing like you," said the first senshi to the other. They went on, continuing to a particular point on a hill about half a kilometer from their home. It overlooked most of the city, but not all of it; the University and a couple public buildings were north. The main three skyscrapers which marked the downtown area could be seen, easily distinguishable in the pre-dawn mist. The two senshi sat down, the shorter of the two first making sure their bench was clear of snow or indeed any wetness. The blackened wood would probably cause trouble the next day, but that was unimportant. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Once the taller looked at her watch and said something to the shorter, which made both laugh. Then all was quiet again. Finally, the event they had waited for had come. Both stood and watched as the golden yellow sun called Nozomi rose over the horizon of the city of Nagano-2, on the planet Hinansho . . . the planet whose very name was 'sanctuary.' A beautiful sight, both thought. Neither thought of the sun glistening off the skyscrapers, or the blinding brilliance as the light reflected from the new-fallen snow that blanketed the city in a shroud of purity and serenity. No, their thoughts were on each other, as each appraised the other's body with eyes that had seen the sight so many times, and yet saw it again for the first time on countless mornings like this. By mutual unspoken consent they detransformed, and while both were warm, it wasn't because of the heavy coats they now wore. It was because of the power of something greater than wool and cotton, more fearsome than the tamed fusion power that lit the thousands of lights in the city below and the sun that rose to shine its rays upon millions, something that in fact powered the abilities that allowed them to change form as easily as one changes her sneakers. It was the power of love. "I love you, Jennifer Sakachi." "Aishiteru, Eileen Pearcy." The two kissed, the sky turned blue, and the new day began. =========== Finished: 23:01 10/07/99 Well. What do you say after finishing a work that's spanned two years and nearly two megabytes of text? I have no idea, but this is what I think. I didn't anticipate things lasting this long. Then, very soon after I finished the first season, I realized that I couldn't imagine stopping. As soon as fall of 1997, while working on Sailor Moon O, writing Sailor Orion had become an integral part of my life. Even now I find it hard to think of what I'll do with my time now that it's over. I think it will be some time until I feel as motivated to write anything as I did for this story. It's near obligatory to say thanks to a few people at the end of something like this. I'd like to thank anyone who's ever emailed me regarding it, even if it was something as simple as 'I read it, I liked it.' I remember pleading for any sort of feedback at all back at the beginning; that hasn't been a problem since. I fear that if I listed all the people who've emailed me, one of two things would happen: a) I'd leave someone out inadvertantly, b) the list would be too bloody long. Thus, I'll keep it as short as possible. First, I'd like to thank the #fanfics IRC channel on Undernet. In existence since the summer of 1998, the collection of authors and readers there have kept me sane during the last two seasons, which have no doubt been the toughest and most grueling. To name them all: Greenbeans (my prereader for the final season and long-time fountain of advice, who I truly can't thank enough), Vincent Diamante (who doesn't like the story, and isn't afraid to admit it: that in itself is just as vital as any praise imo), Devin de Gruyl, Daniel Amsler, Josh Smith, Michael Borrelli (resident Jen otaku), Corvus (pinch-pre-reader for the last bit, and one of the most brutally honest people I've met), Rick Ewing (long-time correspondent), Sean Gaffney (even if he skipped the last season; he kept me from getting too dark), Kevin Callahan, and John Hitchens (who now likes Chibiusa. If BSSO has accomplished nothing else, let it be said that for this reason alone it is a success). Of course I have to include k-chan, self-proclaimed #1 jeneileen otaku, and Victor Naqvi, prereader for seasons 1 and 2. Also the #moonscribe bunch, particularly Devon Smith, J.D. Archer, Joan McDougal, and Raymond Chuang. The fanartists: Zelig (the first), Elisabeth Hegerat (by golly, I *know* I got your name right this time), and Karama. Art was something I had to depend on others for; while I've managed a single sketch of Jen, I know I have a long way to go until I meet their level. There are some others I'd like to mention. Jeff Hosmer and Chris Davies, for taking my little universe and having their own particular brand of fun with it, Sailor Skuld of ASMR for putting up with my near-weekly submissions for the last two years, Matthew Campbell for more or less inspiring the last arc of season two, Heles MacAnemy for inspiring 210, and to Mark Latus and Andrea Principe, for proving to me that fan-created senshi don't have to suck. Without that piece of knowledge I'd never have attempted this work. So what comes next? For Jen and Eileen . . . it sounds cliched, but they live happily ever after. Given the last ten years they've lived through I think they've earned it. For me? There are other anime series out there, other fanfics to be written. None, I think, I'll be as attached to as I was to this one, but life must go on. Perhaps I might return to this universe I've created (after all, after putting this much work into it, it's a shame to just throw it away), but nothing like the frenetic weekly pace that's so easy and so hard to do at the same time. In any case, I've saved one more thank you to you, the reader, some of whom just started reading a week ago, others who have been with me since that mid-March afternoon in 1997. I've said before that I write for my own benefit, and that's true. But it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable without knowing that there were others out there who liked my little yarn. LeVar Bouyer (ldbouyer@earthlink.net) Glen Burnie, Maryland, USA 3 August 1999 Final edit: 13:11 19 March 2001