Under a Quantum Moon -------------------- cn236@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Scott Delahunt) {Author's note: This takes place prior to _Molly's Folly_.} Theorizing that one could time travel within his own lifetime, Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator... and vanished. He woke to find himself trapped in the past, facing mirror images that were not his own, and driven by an unknown force to change history for the better. His only guide on this journey is Al, an observer from his own time, who appears in the form of a hologram that only Sam can see and hear. And so Dr. Beckett finds himself leaping from life to life, striving to put right what once went wrong, and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home. The alarm clock chirped. Sam opened his eyes. He was obviously in a girl's room, with lace and pink bunnies predominant. "Time to get up dear," a warm voice called, maybe the girl's mother. Sam stretched. He felt a weight near his feet fly off his bed. It landed with a soft thud. Must be a cat, Sam thought. He threw back the covers and got out of bed. "Well, it's nice to . . . You're not Serena. What have you done with Serena?" It was a feminine voice, sounding like it was in the same room. Sam looked around, only seeing a black cat with a sideways gold crescent moon on its forehead. "Well, where is Serena?" the cat demanded. "Oh, boy!" Under a Quantum Moon by Scott Delahunt Based on characters created by Donald Bellisario and Naoko Takeuchi Characters are used here without permission of their creators. The cat crouched, poised to attack. From one side, a flash of light and the sound of a door sliding open came. Both Sam and the cat turned to see Al walk into the room from a blue light. Al's clothes, a variety of blues and greens, clashed with the room. "Ah, I see you're up," Al said. "Your name is . . . " "Serena," finished Sam. "I just found out." "You're a fourteen year-old girl. You have a younger brother named Sa. What kind of name is Sa?" Al slapped the side of the handlink, which squealed in protest. "Oh. Sammy. You're brother's name is Sammy. Fits. Let's see. You also have a cat . . ." Al broke off as the cat jumped through him. "I hate it when that happens. Makes me feel like I'm not here." The cat landed in shock. It quickly turned around. "Where is Serena?" "You say that Sam?" Al asked. "It was the cat," explained Sam. "The cat?" "Where is Serena?" the cat demanded again. "She's safe," said Al. "She's in the future right now. Nothing will happen to her. Why am I explaining this to a cat?" "When will she be back?" "There's something I have to put right before she returns," explained Sam. "Al?" "Ziggy doesn't know yet. She thinks it might be to do with one of Serena's friends." Al hit the handlink again. "She's in good hands, Luna." "Serena, you're going to be late," called the first voice Sam heard. "That's your mother, Sam. You're . . . Serena is usually late for class, but you should get moving. I'll go talk to Serena, once she wakes up." Al punched some buttons on the handlink. The door to the imaging chamber opened. Al walked through, the door closing behind him. "Yes, you better hurry up," said Luna. "Serena gets into enough trouble as it is." Sam quickly changed. Looking in the mirror, he saw that Serena wore her long blonde hair in an unusual style: two pony tails, one on each side of her head, not unlike rabbit ears. Noticing the time, he ran downstairs. Sam mumbled good-byes to Serena's parents and dashed out the door. He stopped on the sidewalk, realizing that he had no idea where he was going. "Follow me," said Luna. Sam thought he heard a note of exasperation in her voice. * * * * * At Project Quantum Leap, Al left the imaging chamber. "Ziggy, is Serena up yet?" he asked. "She requested another five minutes, fifteen minutes ago," the computer replied. "Dr. Beeks is with her trying to wake her up." Al entered the room. He saw Sam sleeping on the bed. It was always difficult for him, seeing his friend Sam but knowing it was really someone else. This time, the someone else was a fourteen year old girl, one who was calling out from a dream. "Tuxedo Mask, ohh, please stay with me." Al looked quizzically at Dr. Beeks. "She's been saying that since she came here," she explained. "Tuxedo Mask could be a character on a TV show. Teen-aged girls form crushes easily at their age." "Should we wake her up?" "If she should be up now, go ahead." Al reached down to touch Sam's shoulder. Serena turned over. "Another five minutes, please, then I'll get up," she mumbled. "What time is it?" "It's 8:30," Dr. Beeks answered. Serena bolted up. "I'm gonna be so late!" she yelled. Suddenly she noticed her surroundings. "Where am I? Where's Luna? I want to go home! Waaaaaaaah!" * * * * * "Queen Beryl," said Nephlyte as he approached her from the Darkness. "I have felt a burst of energy that I have not encountered before." "Yes. I too felt it. Put the search for the Rainbow Crystals aside and get me that energy." "As you wish, Queen Beryl." * * * * * Sam finally got to Crossroads Junior High, with much help from Luna. There were many students in school uniforms milling around outside. "Hey, Serena. Serena! Hey Serena!" Sam finally realized that he was being called. He turned around and saw a girl with shoulder length brown hair approach him, waving. "It's your friend Molly," Luna whispered. "Molly, hi." Sam waved back. "What's wrong, Serena?" Molly asked. "You're on time." "I got out of bed early today." "Are you feeling all right? You don't feel ill or anything?" "No-o-o." Sam looked at Molly quizzically. "We better hurry, before the bell rings." Sam followed Molly to class. * * * * * Al and Dr. Beeks finally managed to get Serena to stop crying. They also explained that she didn't have to hurry to get to class, which cheered her up a lot. "You mean I get to miss my math test? Cool!" Serena said. "How are you doing in math, Serena?" Al asked. "I try, I really try, but it's so hard." "Serena has not passed a test in her current semester," announced Ziggy. "Who said that?" Serena looked around. "That was Ziggy," said Al. "She's a computer and doesn't have much tact." Al directed the last part towards the ceiling. "Cool. Can she play video games? Sailor V?" "I'll arrange it." Al left Serena to go back to the Imaging Chamber. * * * * * Sam sat down at Serena's desk. Except for Molly, the rest of the class sat staring at her, even the teacher. Sam squirmed in his seat, uncomfortable at the attention. "It is . . . unlike you to be early, Serena," Miss Haruna said. "It is certainly surprising. Are you ready for the test?" "Uh, yes Miss," Sam answered. "Good. Class, as soon as I give you your test, you may start." Sam quickly read over the test when he received his and started answering the questions. He heard the Imaging Chamber door open behind him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Al standing beside him. "Sam, don't - Is that the teacher?" said Al. "Reminds me of my sixth grade teacher. She had the biggest -" "Yes, Al?" Sam interrupted Al's trip down Memory Lane. "Don't do too well on the test, Sam. Serena is not the best student." "Should I at least pass? Is that why I'm here?" "Ziggy says no. Give the kid a break and let her pass. I'd like to see the teacher's face when she marks this test. I'd like to see the teacher - " "Al!" "Serena, is there a problem?" Miss Haruna asked. "No, Miss." "Then work quietly." * * * * * Sam and Molly walked out of school together. Al had left during the day, but had returned, wearing his Navy uniform. Luna joined the threesome as they passed through the door. "So Serena, what's up?" Molly asked. "You're not yourself today." "How so?" Sam said. "You showed up on time. You finished the math test. You didn't eat all your lunch and didn't touch your chocolate cake." "Maybe I'm not feeling well today. Maybe some fresh air will help." "Why don't we go to the mall?" Luna meowed loudly. "What is it, Luna? You hungry?" "Yeah," added Al. "Cat got your tongue?" Luna gave Al a dirty look and meowed again, this time louder. "Maybe she's getting what you've got," Molly suggested. Sam reached down to pick up Luna. The cat squirmed out of his grasp and ran away. Sam quickly followed, but lost her in the brush. Molly caught up to Sam and started calling for Luna. Al punched some keys on his handlink. "Gooshie, center me on the cat." He popped out and reappeared in some nearby shrubbery. "What did you do that for?" he asked, bending down to see Luna. "Serena is supposed to meet two friends after school," she explained. "She is going to be late if she doesn't get going now. They're used to it, but Raye will be impossible with her if she's late again." "What about Molly?" "She can't come. I can't explain it to you right now." Al straightened up. "Sam! I found her! She's over here!" Sam and Molly made their way to Al's spot. Sam picked up Luna again. "Bad kitty. Do I have to take you home?" Sam said. "Sam, you have to meet some friends. Tell Molly you promised your mother that you'd help out around the house or something. Luna'll explain." "Ah, Molly. I just remembered. I promised Mom that I'd help her with the groceries. Maybe we can go to the mall after?" "Oh, sure Serena. I'll go visit Maxfield." Luna tensed up at the mention of Maxfield. "I'll talk to you later." Molly ran off down the street. Sam waited until he was more or less alone. "Would someone like to tell me what's going on?" "You have to meet Amy and Raye. You're going to be late." said Luna "Is Serena always late?" "Yes. Follow me." Luna ran off down the street. Sam followed. After several blocks, Luna turned a corner. Sam followed closely and ran into a young man with short black hair. "Watch where you're going, Meatball-Head." "Watch your mouth, you nozzle." Al appeared behind the young man. The handlink beeped. "Hmm. According to Ziggy, his name is Darien. He can't remember too much about his past. Serena thinks he's a creep. According to her, he always calls her Meatball-Head. Must be from the hair. Don't apologize Sam. Serena doesn't." "Watch where I'm going?" said Sam. "Watch where you're going. And don't call me Meatball-Head. My name's Serena." "Where are you going in such a rush? The malls don't close yet, Meatball-Head." "I can't talk now. Good-bye." Sam picked himself up from the sidewalk and continued running. Eventually, Luna led him to a temple. On the steps were two girls. One had long black hair and was wearing a Shinto priestess's garb. The other had short hair and was still wearing her school uniform. She was also reading a text book. "Hi!" called Sam. "Sorry I'm late." "As usual," sneered the long-haired girl. "Now Raye," said Luna. "Serena's here earlier than normal." "What happened, cafeteria run out of ice cream?" said Raye. "Don't mind Raye," the short-haired girl said. "She's just upset that Grandfather won't let her go to the dance this weekend." "You didn't have to tell her that, Amy." "Sam," started Al, "the short-haired girl is Amy. She is the top student at your school. She is willing to help Serena study, if Serena was serious about it. The other girl is Raye. She lives at the temple with her grandfather." "I hear that you were on time today," Amy said. "News travels fast," said Sam. "Serena? On time?" Raye was skeptical. "Oh yes. She even finished her math test." "It wasn't that big a deal," said Sam. "If you were on time, it should make the evening news." Raye said. "Girls, girls," admonished Luna. We're here to discuss the Negaverse." "The Negaverse? Is this some game?" asked Al. Sam looked as confused. "Molly is going to see Nephlyte this afternoon," continued Luna. "Where would they go?" asked Sam. Amy and Raye just looked at him strangely. * * * * * "Hey, Ziggy," called Serena. "When do you serve supper?" "Miss Serena, you had lunch exactly three hours, 17 minutes, ten seconds ago," Ziggy replied. "I'm a growing girl." Serena looked around the chamber. "Is there a mirror around here?" "It would not be prudent for you to have one." "As if. I just want to check my hair." "I cannot give you a mirror." "You're just being mean." "I will inform Dr. Beeks that you want one." After a couple of minutes, Dr. Beeks entered. "Serena, trust me. You may not be able to handle what you see." "Why? What happened?" Serena was shocked. "Am I ugly now? Will Andrew turn away from me? No! Waaaaaaaah!" Exasperated, Dr. Beeks pulled out a mirror. "Alright, Serena. Here." Serena took the mirror and looked into it. At first, she jumped back at her image. She then looked at it more intently. "Ooh! I look so hunky!" * * * * * "Maxfield! Oh, Maxfield!" Nephlyte looked around and saw Molly running towards him. He stopped walking and waited for her. This girl knows the one I'm looking for, he thought. "Maxfield, I'm so happy to see you," Molly gushed. "You're not with your friends, Molly?" "Serena had to help her mom. Anyway, I want to be with you." Molly's eyes met Nephlyte's. They held the gaze for what felt like an eternity. Nephlyte broke the moment by looking away nervously. "That's too bad," he stammered. "I would have loved to meet your friends. Maybe we can, by going to the mall." Nephlyte stifled a shudder. * * * * * "Sam," Al started, "I've had Ziggy run a background check on this Maxfield Stanton. Nada. It's like he doesn't exist." "Hmm-mm?" Sam nodded while reading Raye's Sailor V comic. "Serena, give me back my comic," demanded Raye. "Okay, Raye. You don't have to be so bossy." Sam returned the comic. "Me? You're calling me bossy, Meatball-Head?" "Maybe you should change Serena's hair style, Sam," suggested Al. "Can we deal with Nephlyte first before you two start another argument?" pleaded Amy. "Serena, where do you think Molly could be?" Sam thought back to his childhood. Though his memory was like swiss-cheese, he remembered his sister Katie always wanting to hang out with her friends at the mall, even though it was an hour and a half drive from the farm. Or was it someone else's little sister he remembered. "Maybe they're at the mall?" he suggested. "Have you lost your senses?" said Raye. "Why would a millionaire be at a mall?" "Maybe Molly wanted him to meet her friends." "That is the -" "Wait, Raye," Amy interrupted. "She has a point. If you or Serena finally went out with Tuxedo Mask, wouldn't either of you show him off to your friends?" Raye considered Amy's point. "So which mall did they go to?" "Doesn't Molly's mother have a jewelry store in the one nearby? I'd say they went there." "So let's go. Serena? Ready?" "I, uh, just need to use the ladies' room. I'll meet you outside." Sam watched as Raye and Amy left. "Al! What is going on. How can this Nephlyte or Maxfield Stanton or whoever he is not exist?" "I don't know," said Al. "Ziggy can't find any record of him under either name." "That's because he's not from Earth." Luna joined Sam and Al. "He's from the Negaverse." "What is this Negaverse you keep talking about?" Sam asked. "It is the home to Queen Beryl and Empress Metallia. Millennia ago, they tried to take over the Moon Kingdom. If it weren't for Queen Serenity, the Moon and the Earth would have been doomed to suffer under their rule." "You're making this up," Al accused. "An alien invasion from long ago? I don't believe it." "Al, you're listening to a talking cat," Sam reminded. "Hear her out at least." "Sam, you've been in Serena's place far too long. She's beginning to rub off on you." "I know it sounds far-fetched," said Luna. "Serena wouldn't believe me at first." "Can you blame her?" Al asked. "So what do we do?" said Sam. "It sounds like this Nephlyte is dangerous. Maybe I'm here to stop him from hurting Molly." "Go to the mall and help Raye and Amy," suggested Luna. * * * * * "What's wrong with you today?" Raye asked. "We walked from the temple to the mall and you haven't complained once. Maybe you've been switched for a Negaverse creature?" Sam laughed off Raye's accusation. She's very perceptive, he thought. Sam, the two girls, Luna and Al all entered the mall. Sam looked around. "We should split up," he suggested. "That way we can search the mall faster. I'll go that way." "No, you won't," Raye said. "You know the arcade is over there. You'll just waste time in there. You go that way." Raye pointed in a direction away from the arcade. "Amy, you head by the arcade. I'll take the food fair. We'll meet back here in an hour if we don't find Molly." Sam headed in the direction Raye indicated. Al followed, floating so that his head was above the crowd. Luna peeked out of Serena's book bag. "You should be careful, Sam," Luna warned. "Nephlyte's more dangerous than he looks. And you don't have Serena's abilities." "What's that, cry loudly?" Al sniped. Luna fixed him with a dirty glare. "Serena! Ovah here!" Sam turned in the direction of Molly's voice. Beside Molly was a tall man with long black hair. Sam could feel Luna tense up in the bag. This must be Nephlyte or Maxfield or whoever, thought Sam. He was also getting a bad feeling from this man, a feeling of menace that he could almost taste. Maxfield smiled, reminding Sam of a predator. "Serena, you remembah Maxfield. We first saw him at Katie's tennis court, remembah?" "Yes," Sam lied. "Pleased to meet you again." He held out his hand. Maxfield took it and kissed it gallantly. "I need to make a phone call," said Maxfield. "Will you ladies excuse me for a minute?" He walked off. Al hit a few buttons on the handlink. "Gooshie, center me on Maxfield Stanton. He's right in front of me. Well do you best." Al disappeared. "So, Serena, you're finished helping your mother?" asked Molly. * * * * * Nephlyte walked into the loading area. He felt uneasy, as if he was being watched. He looked around, expecting Zoisite to appear. Minutes passed, but no-one showed. Molly's friend was full of energy, waiting to be tapped, if he could get her alone. * * * * * Al waited. He thought that Nephlyte had spotted him, but he continued into the loading bay. Odd place to make a phone call, Al thought. Nephlyte walked on, his clothes changing into a gray uniform. He stopped again and turned, looking straight at Al. Nephlyte raised his hands and released a pulse of black energy. The loading dock suddenly became the blank walls of the Imaging Chamber. Al quickly recovered from the sudden change. He tapped on the handlink. "Gooshie! What happened?" "Sorry, Admiral," a voice filled the Imaging Chamber. "We've lost contact. We're trying to re-establish a link." "Well, hurry." Al started to pace. * * * * * Maxfield returned. Molly and Sam had been discussing fashion, Sam mainly agreeing with whatever Molly said. "How would you two like to grab a bite to eat," offered Maxfield. "Sure," Molly agreed. "What about you, Serena?" "I guess I could stand to have something," agreed Sam, thinking, That way, I can keep an eye out on the two of you. "I know of a quiet restaurant nearby," said Maxfield. "Why don't we go there?" * * * * * "Gooshie, hurry up!" Al yelled. "I've lost contact with Dr. Beckett, Admiral," Gooshie explained. "Then center me on the cat." "The . . . cat?" "You heard me. The cat. Now!" * * * * * Amy and Raye were waiting at the entrance. Amy was sitting on a bench, flipping through a book while Raye paced. "She does this on purpose," Raye fumed. "She knows it annoys me." "Calm down, Raye. Serena will have a good reason." "Like getting stuck in the arcade?" "Amy! Raye!" Luna ran in panting for breath. "Serena's met Nephlyte. She's with him now." "Why didn't she use the communicator?" Amy asked. "She, uh, she didn't have a chance to use it. Now follow me." Luna took off, followed by Raye and Amy. Luna lead them to where she had left Sam and Molly. Neither could be seen. "Where could they have gone?" * * * * * Sam looked around. It seemed odd that a restaurant would be in such an out-of-the-way place in the mall. Molly was so enraptured with Maxfield that she never noticed. Sam had noticed that Luna ran off before Maxfield came back, but he didn't have a chance to grab her. The restaurant didn't have much in the way of staff, just one waitress. "Did this just open?" he asked. "It's one of mine," Maxfield answered. "Its grand opening is at the end of the week. Consider this a sneak preview." * * * * * Al reappeared in the mall. Raye ran through him without noticing. "Gooshie, can you keep me on the cat?" From Al's perspective, the mall started sliding by him as Luna came closer. He overtook the cat and floated in front of her. Luna stopped in surprise. Raye stopped in time to avoid stepping on her, but Amy couldn't stop in time to avoid running into Raye. Both girls fell to the floor. "Luna," said Al. "Sam might be in the loading bay right now. I followed Nephlyte back there before he zapped me." "Luna-a-a. Watch what you're doing," Raye complained. "Turn down that hall, second door on your left." Al pointed in that direction. "Come on, girls. Let's go." * * * * * Sam sat in a trance, unable to move. He felt himself get weaker. He could almost see his energy leaving him. Meanwhile, Maxfield laughed evilly. Molly could not be seen. Sam forced himself to stay awake. * * * * * "Wait here," Al said to Luna. "I'll check first." He walked through the loading bay door. "Girls, transform now," Luna ordered. "Mars . . . Power!" "Mercury . . . Power!" Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars were standing in front of the door when Al returned. He did a double-take, not recognizing them. He looked around for Raye and Amy. "Sam's in there with Nephlyte alright. He's in some sort of trance. I can't find Molly anywhere." "Now, Sailor Scouts!" Luna ordered. "Go in now!" Sailor Mars kicked the door, sending it flying open with a bang. Nephlyte turned to see Sailor Mercury run into the bay, followed by Sailor Mars. "That's enough!" announced Sailor Mercury. "You've wreaked evil here for the last time." "The Sailor Brats," purred Nephlyte. "And where is that crybaby Sailor Moon? Too afraid to appear? Never mind. I'll deal with you two. Powers of the Negaverse, send me the Warrior Cancer!" In a burst of energy, a human-like being with claws like those of a crab appeared. Al gave his head a shake, not trusting his eyes. He went over to Sam. "Sam, are you okay?" he asked. Sam's eyes fluttered, then snapped open alert. "What happened? Where's Molly?" "Don't know, Sam. Everything's not making any sense anymore." "I'll let the Cancer Warrior deal with you while I find Sailor Moon." Nephlyte disappeared in a flash of light. "Mercury Bubbles . . . BLAST!" The entire loading bay was covered in a cold fog. Sam could not see beyond his nose. The sounds of fighting continued. "Anytime you're ready, Serena," said Sailor Mars. "What is she talking about?" Sam asked. "Mars . . . Fire . . . IGNITE!" Sailor Mars's fireball passed through Al and hit the Cancer Warrior. "Hey!" exclaimed Al. "Watch where you throw those things, you pyro." "Sam, Serena is a member of the Sailor Scouts," Luna finally explained. In the background, they heard the yells of Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury as the Cancer Warrior unleashed its own blast. "Sam, we need Sailor Moon." "What can I do?" "Just say 'Moon Prism Power'. Got it?" "Okay. Moon Prism Power!" Nothing happened. "Oh, boy!" Sam exclaimed. "Hurry up, Serena!" Sailor Mars yelled. "We're getting creamed out here." "Al, what if we got Serena to say these words at the same time?" suggested Sam. "Could work. I'll be right back." Al passed through the Imaging Chamber door. "Mercury Bubbles . . . BLAST!" The fog grew heavier. * * * * * "Serena, we have a problem," Al explained. "We need Sailor Moon back in your own time, and -" "How did you find out about Sailor Moon?" Serena asked. "This is it. Sam, who is you, went with Maxfield Stanton -" "Nephlyte." "Please don't interrupt. We don't have much time. Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury are in trouble. They need Sailor Moon's help, but Sam can't change into her because she's you. Sam thinks that because of the link between you and him, if you change, he can also change. I want you to say the magic words at the same time as Sam does. Ziggy will tell you when." "Okay, I guess. Has Tuxedo Mask shown up yet? Make sure that Raye doesn't try to steal him from me." "Who? Never mind. Just wait for my signal." * * * * * The fog had lifted enough for Sam to see the damage being done to the restaurant. Tables and chairs were in many pieces, strewn over the floor. Both Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars were the worse for wear. The Cancer Warrior was still moving about, trying to grab the Sailor Scouts in its claws. "Sam! Anytime you're ready," Al said. "Now!" * * * * * In the holding chamber, Serena was standing up, waiting. "Admiral Calavicci has sent the signal," Ziggy announced. "Moon . . . Prism . . ." * * * * * "POWER!" Sam blinked twice as a light covered him. He spun around as Sailor Moon's uniformed formed on him, first a bodysuit, then the gloves, then finally the boots and skirt. A tiara appeared on his forehead. He finished the transformation by striking a pose, saluting. "I am Sailor Moon! Champion of Justice! In the name of the Moon, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil. And that means you!" "Finally," said Sailor Mars. "What took you so long?" "What are you saying, Sam?" Al wondered. "Let's take this thing out," Sam said. Mars produced a strip of paper with a Shinto prayer written on it. "I call upon the power of Mars . . . Fireballs . . . Charge!" The paper flew to the Cancer Warrior, where it stayed as if held by glue. The Cancer Warrior stopped dead in its tracks. Luna ran up beside Sam. "Take your tiara and say the words Moon -" "Moon . . . Tiara . . . MAGIC!" Sam threw the tiara at the Cancer Warrior, hitting it squarely. It screamed in pain as the tiara cut through it. The Cancer Warrior fell, ending up as a pile of dust that was blown away in a draft. Sam deftly caught the returning tiara. "Dusted!" Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury ran up to him. * * * * * Nephlyte growled as he watched the Cancer Warrior disintegrate. Sailor Moon had appeared while he had traveled back to the Negaverse. Queen Beryl will not be pleased, he thought. "Ah-hahahah. Failed again, Nephlyte?" Zoisite appeared beside Nephlyte. "You think you can do better?" "Easily." Zoisite faded away. * * * * * "Why haven't I leaped?" Sam was sitting on Serena's bed, stroking Luna. "Ziggy says you aren't here to help Molly," Al explained. Molly had returned after the battle to find the Sailor Scouts. Sailor Mercury explained what had happened, leaving out details about Nephlyte. "So, who am I here for?" "You mean Serena can't come back until you help someone?" Luna asked. "What if you can't find that person?" "Then I'll be stuck as Serena," said Sam. "It will help her grades." "I can't stay like this." "Why don't you sleep on it for now," Al suggested. "I'll have Ziggy work on it overnight." * * * * * Zoisite prowled the city, searching for the source of the new energy. Blast that Nephlyte, Zoisite thought. He had that brat in his grasp and lost her to those Sailor Brats. * * * * * Sam woke up with the alarm. Luna, still half-asleep, was surprised. She was used to having to nag Serena to get out of bed. Sam quickly dressed and went downstairs. He ignored the bewildered stares of Serena's family. Doesn't this girl ever get up on time? Sam wondered. he ate breakfast and headed off to school. He found Amy sitting under a tree. She looked up, surprised. "Serena, you're, uh, you're early," Amy stammered. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep well last night," said Sam. "What are you working on?" "I had some extra time, so I thought I'd work on some homework for my computer class. I'm having a problem with this assignment. I can't find the right algorithm." "Here' let me look." Sam read over the problem. "Have you tried a LaGrange transformation?" "I hadn't thought of that. Let me try that." Amy pulled out a pencil and worked out the pseudocode. "It works, Serena. How did you know?" "Say good-bye, Sam," said Al. Sam leapt. Serena blinked a couple of times. "Know about what?" "The LaGrange transform." "You, uhm, must have mentioned it a couple of times, I guess." "Well, we'd better get to class, before you're late." Amy and Serena walked off to their class. Serena walked into her classroom and went to the window where Luna was. "It's good to see you again, Serena," Luna said. "Why am I here? On time?" "It's a long story. Take your seat. I'll tell you later." Miss Haruna walked into class, a confused look on her face. She motioned for the class to take their seats. "Class, I've finished marking your tests. I am, well, shocked, at how Serena did. Serena passed with a 60% mark." Serena's face shared Miss Haruna's look of surprise. * * * * * Zoicyte's face twisted in hate and anger. "The energy. It's gone!" * * * * * EPILOGUE Project Quantum Leap, 1999 "Admiral, the summer student is waiting for you," Ziggy announced. Al walked down to reception. Sitting there was a young woman with short hair. Al looked at her intently. "Sir? Is there a problem?" the woman asked. "No, you just remind me of someone, I can't place who right now," Al answered. "So, Miss ..." "Anderson, sir. Amy Anderson. You wanted a medical student with computer knowledge?" "Yes, we do. Follow me please." Al lead Miss Anderson into the complex. "You understand that anything you see or hear is covered by your oath and cannot be talked about, even to your closest friends?" "Yes, sir. I understand." "Good." Al stopped in front of a door marked 'Computer'. "Inside is Ziggy. I'll introduce you to her. You'll be responsible for helping Gooshie maintain her, as well as helping Dr. Beeks." Al opened the door. "Ziggy, this is Amy Anderson, our student." "Pleased to meet you, Miss Anderson," greeted Ziggy. "Nice to meet you too, Ziggy," Miss Anderson replied. "May I take a look at her code, please?" "Certainly, Miss Anderson," Ziggy said. Miss Anderson sat at a terminal and scrolled through the code. She stopped at one subroutine. she took a closer look. "Admiral? I believe I see a problem." "What is it?" Al asked. "This code here is wrong for the job. May I try something?" "Go ahead unless Ziggy objects." "I have no objections," Ziggy said. Miss Anderson quickly rewrote the subroutine. She recompiled the routine and sat back. "Where did you learn that?" Al asked. "Oh, I learned it from a friend while I was in high school," Miss Anderson explained. "I remember it because Serena wasn't the best student and it was surprising to hear her explain this to me."