Standard Questionably Useful Disclaimer:
Sailor Moon and all related characters were created by Naoko Takeuchi;
and are copyright to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Toei, DIC and whoever
 else.
Star Trek was created by the late Great Bird of the Galaxy, Gene
 Roddenberry; and is owned and copyrighted by Paramount Pictures.
This story (such as it is) is MINE!!!
This fanfic is intended solely for entertainment purposes and no
 violation of said copyrights is intended or implied.  Permission
 granted to copy this to other web pages as long as this disclaimer is
 attached, and the text of the story is unmodified.


Prologue
     Luna glanced at the clock and braced herself.
     Any minute now...
     "AAAAGGHH!!  I'm gonna be late!!!"  Moving with impressive speed,
 Serena rushed to get ready for school.  "Why didn't somebody get me 
up sooner?!?"
     "I tried, and so did your mother," Luna replied.  "Twice.  You 
said you were getting up each time."
     "And you believed me?"
     "Not really," the black cat muttered.
     If she heard Luna's sarcastic reply, Serena chose to ignore it.  
Instead, she ran down the stairs.  "See you later, Mom!  Bye!"  There 
was the sound of the door closing, and Luna watched her race off to 
school.
     Luna sat on the windowsill.  "Well, I suppose that's some 
improvement.  A few months ago, I would have had to try at least twice
 more to get her up.  But..."  Her voice trailed off as she looked up 
at the full moon, still visible in the morning sky.  A patch of light 
nearby it caught her eye.  'What is that?!?' she thought, eyes 
narrowing as she peered at it.  Whatever it was, it had to be bright 
indeed if it was visible in daylight.
     The unknown phenomena faded away in a matter of seconds.  If she 
hadn't glanced up just then, she probably would have missed it.  She 
made a mental note to herself to have Amy check it out later.
     No trace remained of the mysterious object.  Around her, all 
seemed to be as it was before it had appeared.  Still, something about
 it disquieting.
     'I've got a bad feeling about this.'

     The ship emerged from the center of the phenomena, and drifted 
away from it.  Soon after it had emerged, the glow from the energy 
field faded as fast as it had appeared.  Only the ship remained to 
prove it had ever existed.  The main section was a large saucer, 
connected by a pylon to a secondary hull.  The lower section was 
connected to two engine nacelles, which were lined up at the same 
height above the lower hull as the upper.
     An outside observer would easily be able to read the service 
number and name printed on the hull.
     NCC-1701.  USS Enterprise.


Space -- The final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.
It's five year mission:
 to explore strange new worlds...
 to seek out new life and new civilizations...
 to boldly go where no man has gone before.



Sailor Trek: The Dilithium Dilemma
written by Bill Harris (Soton@aol.com)

Chapter 1 - Arrival
     "Captain's log, Stardate 5046.7  After leaving the Romulan 
Commander at outpost 20, the Enterprise proceeded on course to 
Starfleet HQ to deliver the Romulan cloaking device.  While en route, 
the ship encountered a unknown spatial phenomena, which has thrown us 
an undetermined distance off course.  Status of ship and crew is 
unknown at the present time."

     Kirk looked around the bridge.  Spock had already gotten back to 
his station, whereas the rest of the bridge crew was still picking 
themselves off the deck and getting back to their duty stations.  
Seated as he was in the command chair, he had been able to keep 
himself from being tossed around.
     There didn't seem to be any serious injuries here.  Hopefully the
 same held true for the rest of the crew.  And of the ship itself.  He
 activated the intercom.  "Kirk to Engineering."
     After a moments delay, came the reply: "Engineering.  Scott 
here."
     "Scotty, can you give me a damage report?"
     "We've got damage to the warp drive and several secondary 
systems.  The impulse engines seem to be in fair shape, but I would 
nae push them until they've been checked out."
     That was better than he'd hoped for. "Any structural damage?"
     "Minor damage only.  We were lucky." Kirk heard the engineer 
briefly consult with someone.  "We should have the warp engines back 
online in about twelve hours."
     "Alright, Scotty.  Keep me posted. Kirk out."  He activated 
another switch on his arm panel.
     "Sickbay.  McCoy here."
     "How are things down there, Bones?"
     "Had a feeling it was you, Jim.  Minor casualties only.  Mostly 
bump and bruises.  A couple of broken bones, and a concussion or two 
as well.  Nothing too serious."  Now that his report complete, the 
doctor's voice took on an exasperated tone.  "What the hell happened 
up there, Jim?  Did you let Spock drive again?"
     Out of the corner of his eye, Kirk saw Spock glance up briefly, 
but he otherwise chose to ignore the doctor's barb.  "We're still 
trying to figure that one out, Bones.  Kirk out."  He looked over at 
the first officer.  "Well, Mr. Spock, what the hell did just 
happened?"
     "Unknown at this time, Captain." replied the Vulcan.  He peered 
intently at his scanner readout.  "I am analyzing the sensor logs in 
an attempt to ascertain."
     The was a hum from the front of the bridge as the viewscreen 
activated.  A very familiar sight appeared in it.  "Earth.  How is 
that possible?"
     "Confirmed, we are in the Terran system, Keptin,"  said Chekov.  
"Only fifty thousand kilometers from the Moon."  He look at Kirk.  
"Whatever hit us, sir, it shifted us light years away from our 
original position."
     "That is an understatement, Mr. Chekov," Kirk stated.  The ship 
had previously been near the Romulan Neutral Zone.  The jump to Earth 
was a shift of several hundred light years.  "Mr. Sulu, if the helm is
 operable, bring us into a standard orbit of Earth."
     "Aye, sir," replied the helmsman.  He operate the helm controls 
and shook his head at the readouts.  "The ship is responding to the 
helm, sir, but she's sluggish."
     "Lt. Uhura, hail Starfleet Command."
     Uhura frowned as she worked the controls at her board.  "Captain,
 I've been trying to contact Starfleet Command, but there's no 
response on any frequency.  In fact, other than natural sources, I'm 
not picking up any subspace signals at all."
     "Malfunction?"
     "No, sir.  Communications systems all check out."  She operated 
her controls further. "Sir, I am detecting old style radio and 
television signals, consistent with late twentieth or early twenty 
first century  transmissions."
     "Twentieth century?"  Kirk strode over to the science station.  
"Confirmation, Mr. Spock?"
     Spock frowned ever so slightly and twisted the sensor controls.  
"Affirmative, Captain.  I able to access the time signals from the US 
Naval Observatory.  The year given in them is 1992." 
     "Well, here we go again," Sulu commented from the helm.
     Chekov leaned over and tried to pitch his voice for Sulu's ears 
alone.  "Just what we need, another trip back to our past."  Sulu 
glanced over at the science station and caught the captain glaring at 
them.  Apparently Chekov hadn't spoken quietly enough.
     Spock continued as if they hadn't spoken, giving further data 
from the sensor readouts.  "The pollution content of the atmosphere is
 also consistent with the latter half of the twentieth century.  
Astrometric readings are also in agreement."  He refined his sensor 
readings before continuing.  "Interesting.  From the date indicated in
 the time signals, we should see some indication of the Eugenics wars 
in progress.  Yet, I can detect no trace of them occurring."  He 
raised one eyebrow.  "Fascinating."
     "Any theories, Spock?"
     "Based on observational data, I would hypothesize that the 
phenomena we encountered not only propelled us through space and time,
 but into another reality as well.  A reality were the Eugenics wars 
never occurred."
     "An alternate form of twentieth century Earth," Kirk mused.  
After a moments contemplation, he turned to the helmsman and said, 
"Mr. Sulu, raise shields."
     "Shields up, Captain," Sulu replied.
     "Good.  At least we don't have to worry about showing up on any 
radar screens," Kirk said.  

     Luna met with Lita, Amy and Serena during their lunch break.  
"What's up, Luna?" asked Lita.  Amy glanced up from the book she was 
reading, while Serena mumbled a greeting through a mouthful of food.
     "I'm surprised you still have anything left," the cat remarked to
 Serena.  "You usually have eaten your lunch before ten."
     She swallowed quickly and scowled at Luna.  "HEY!"
     "She did," Lita remarked.  "I'm sharing mine with her."
     "I might have known," Luna said, ignoring Serena's protests.  "I 
spotted something in the sky this morning, and I think the Negaverse 
may have something to do with it."  She briefly described the flash of
 light she had seen, and the uneasy feeling about it she had since.  
"Amy, could you check it out?"
     Amy nodded, and began working with her computer.  "Ah, you're 
just being paranoid, Luna," Serena claimed.
     "I am not!" Luna said defensively, then glanced around to make 
sure she hadn't attracted any unwanted attention.
     "No, she isn't," Amy said.  Still looking at her computer, she 
continued "I'm picking up some sort of energy source in orbit.  Some 
sort of odd gamma emission.  It's almost as if it were a ship of some 
sort.  I can't tell if it's connected to the Negaverse, though.  It's 
very diffuse and hard to lock onto.  Maybe I can determine more if I 
analyze a longer scan." 
     "Very well," Luna replied  "Do what you can.  We'll work in it 
later at the meeting this afternoon."  She shot a glance at Serena.  
"Just being paranoid, hmmm?"

     Beryl peered into her crystal ball, puzzled.  She had spotted the
 starship moments after it appeared near Earth and had been watching 
it since, but had no idea where it came from.  All she knew was that 
she sensed incredible power emanating from it.  Power she could use.  
Power she wanted.  She manipulated the view, scanning the interior of 
the ship.  The view eventually settled upon a room in the lower part 
of the ship.  The power she sensed was nearby, almost... The view 
shifted to show a berthing holding five refined crystals.
     'Those crystals!' she thought.  'The power I sense comes from 
those crystals.  They possess incredible energy amplification 
abilities.  Enough to fully awaken the Negaforce!  I must have them!'
  Aloud she ordered, "Malachite, Prince Darien!  Come here at once!"
     The last of her generals, Malachite, appeared along with Prince 
Darien.  They glared at each other for a moment.  "You summoned us, my
 queen?" inquired Malachite.
     "Yes, Malachite.  A starship has appeared in orbit.  It uses five
 crystals as part of it's power source."  Images of the starship's 
engine room appeared in the air behind her.  "I want you both to 
obtain them for me."
     Darien frowned.  "I don't need any of his help.  I can handle 
this on my own!"
     "I was going to say the same," sneered Malachite.
     "Enough, you two," chided Beryl.   "It's time you two learned to 
work together.  Now go and get those crystals!  Immediately!"
     The two rivals bowed to her and vanished.

     "Mr. Spock, have you made any progress in determining how we got 
here?"
     The Vulcan nodded. "Yes, Captain.  I have ascertained that the 
ship passed through a quantum flux in the space-time continuum."
     Kirk frowned.  "We've passed through these things before.  Why 
did this one act different?"
     "My analysis indicates that this is unlike any quantum flux ever 
before observed."  He touched a button and a diagram appeared on one 
of the overhead viewers.  Kirk eyed the graphical depiction of the 
space-time aspects of the flux, and the accompanying equations that 
described it mathematically, but could make little sense of it.  "This
 flux seems to be a link, a bridge if you will, between this universe 
and our own.  When we encountered the flux while traveling at warp 
speeds, the warp field around the ship energized the flux and 
propelled us into this reality."
     "I suppose the operative question is, can we get back to our own 
reality?"
     "In theory, yes.   If we proceed on a reciprocal course through 
the flux and engage the warp engines at a specific setting, we should 
return to our universe.  It will take some time to compute the 
precise settings."
     "Well, you should have some time to make those calculations, Mr. 
Spock.  The warp engines won't be back online for another six hours or
 so."
     "Captain, since I am capable of performing the required 
calculations myself, may I suggest that we utilize our computer 
resources to conduct a detailed survey of this Earth?  This is a 
unique opportunity to observe an alternate version."
     Before Kirk could reply, Uhura called out,"Captain!  Intruder 
alert, main engineering!"
     "Send security teams to engineering.  Spock, you're with me," he 
ordered.  The captain and first officer began sprinting for the 
turbolift.  "Mr. Sulu, you have the conn."

     Darien removed the last crystal from it's berth.  All around them
 lay the unconscious forms of the engine room personnel.  "That's all 
of them, Malachite.  Let's go."
     "Not yet, Prince Darien.  First we must make sure that this ship 
will never interfere in our plans."
     Darien glanced over at Malachite.  He was manipulating the 
controls at one of the nearby stations.  "What are you doing?"
     "I'm trying to disable their containment fields," he replied 
coolly.
     Darien shook his head. "That's not necessary!  We've gotten what 
we came here for!"
     Before Malachite could reply, the door snapped open and two 
security guards rushed in.  Barely pausing to evaluate the situation, 
they raised their phasers and fired.  Darien managed to dodge out of 
the way, but Malachite was hit by a short stun burst before he could 
erect his shield.  Wincing slightly from the impact, he shouted, 
"You'll pay for that, human!" and threw a ball of energy at the 
unfortunate guard.  The guard was flung into the bulkhead and 
collapsed.  Again, the door hissed open and more guards entered 
engineering.
     "It's time to leave, Malachite!" Darien urged and teleported back
 into the Negaverse.  Malachite grimaced.  He knew he could handle 
these humans easily no matter what weapons they might have, but if he 
delayed Prince Darien might claim all the credit.  Kirk entered the 
engine room just in time to see Malachite vanish.
     McCoy was already checking the downed guard with his tricorder, 
but soon shook his head.  "He's dead, Jim."  The doctor shifted his 
attention to Scotty and gave him a shot from his hypo.  The scotsman 
groaned and began to stir.  "It looks like the others are just 
unconscious.  Nothing too serious"  The doctor moved to tend to the 
other injured crewmen.
     "'Tis easy for you to say, Doctor."  Scotty sat up slowly, 
holding his head with both hands.  "You're not the one with a 
splitting headache!" he muttered.
     "What happened, Scotty?" inquired Kirk.
     "Those two wraiths just popped up out of thin air, sir.  I barely
 had time to sound the alert before I got clobbered."  He groaned 
again.
     "Captain, I believe I have discovered the reason for their 
intrusion." Spock indicated the empty crystal berths.
     "Ach, no!" cried Scotty.  He stood up, any sign that he was in 
pain banished instantly by the sight of the damage done to his 
precious engines.  "They've taken the dilithium crystals!"
     "All the them?  Even reserve crystal, Scotty?" asked Kirk.
     Scotty shook his head sadly.  "Aye, I afraid so, Captain.  They 
got all of crystals, including the reserve.  And without them, our 
warp engines are just so much dead weight.  We're limited to impulse 
power only."
     "Captain, without our warp engines..." Spock began.
    "...we can't pass through the quantum flux," finished Kirk.  "In 
short, we're trapped in this reality."

Next Time:  The Enterprise crew begins their quest to recover the 
dilithium crystals; while the Scouts continue to investigate the 
mysterious energy source in orbit.  Also, Malachite has further 
plans of his own in motion.
    All these paths converge into chaos in "Sailor Trek - The 
Dilithium Dilemma", part 2: "The Search"
Sailor Trek: The Dilithium Dilemma
written by Bill Harris (Soton@aol.com)


Chapter 2 - The Search
     "Captain's log, Stardate 5046.9  Despite having our shields up, 
the Enterprise has been boarded and the ship's dilithium crystals 
stolen.  Unless we manage to retrieve the crystals, we will be unable to
 return home."

     Kirk paced impatiently on the bridge, trying to keep a rein on his
 temper.  Given recent events; his ship boarded and one of his crew 
killed; he was finding it hard to do.  Especially when he was forced 
into inaction.  He had already taken those actions he could; increasing
 security in vital areas, directed that all crew members be issued 
sidearms, among others.  Now all he could do was wait until Spock was 
able to locate the missing crystals.
     And he hated waiting.
     After a few more passes across the bridge, he finally headed over 
to the science station.  "Mr. Spock, your report."
     The Vulcan stood up from the sensor hood.  "Negative results, sir.
 I've completed two full sensor sweeps of the Terran system.  I am 
unable to locate any trace of our missing crystals."
     Frustration showed clearly in Kirk's face.  "It shouldn't be that 
difficult to find those crystals, Mr. Spock.  They're the only refined 
crystals in this system!  For that matter, they're the only pieces of 
dilithium within a parsec."
     "Agreed," Spock concurred, his voice as calm as ever.  
"Nevertheless, I am unable to locate them.  The logical assumption is 
that their being shielded in some manner."
     "That's just... dandy."  Kirk smacked a fist into an open palm, 
then paused to consider this.  "Do you have any theories on how they 
were able to board the ship with our shields up?"
     "Our sensor logs at the time of their arrival and departure 
indicate several subspace distortions.  I theorize that they used some 
form of interdimensional teleport, possibly a dimensional shift.  Our 
shields are ineffective against this form of transport."
     Chekov look up from the navigation station.  "But dimensional 
shifting has a warping effect on organic tissue!"
     "Correct, Mr. Chekov," said Spock. "In our reality.  The physical
 laws may operate differently here."
     "Or they may have simply found a way around the problem," Kirk 
added.
     "Or they may simply be immune to the warping effects," said Spock.
     Kirk nodded.  "Continue scanning, Mr Spock.  I want those crystals
 found!"
     While Spock bent back to his scanner,  Kirk fumed silently for a 
minute, considering.  He realized that even if they managed to retrieve 
the crystals, the opposition might simply stage another attempt.  
Fortunately, there might be a way to prevent that from happening.  A few
 strides took him over to the engineering station.
     "Scotty, is the Romulan cloaking device still hooked up?"
     "I was just starting to disconnect that alien contraption when 
this whole mess boiled up," he replied.  "I can have it fully 
operational in a few hours."  Kirk nodded.  "But Captain, without those
 crystals, we won't be able to draw any power from the warp engines.  
And there is nae enough power from the impulse engines to use the 
cloak."
     "That's my job, Mr. Scott.  You worry about yours."

     "Amazing."  Malachite examined one of the captured crystals.  
"These crystals actually serve to amplify energy sent through them."  
No wonder Queen Beryl wanted them.
     "You summoned me, Lord Malachite."
     Malachite glanced up at the source of the voice.  "Yes, Obsidian.
  I have a mission for you."  He handed the crystal to Obsidian.  "Queen
 Beryl only needs four of these to release the Negaforce.  You are to 
use the remaining one to destroy those wretched Sailor Scouts!  When you
 have done so, you can recover the Silver Crystal from Sailor Moon's 
corpse."
     Obsidian accepted the crystal and bowed to Malachite.  "I hear and
 obey, my lord.  But how am I to find the Sailor Scouts?"
     "That is the least of your worries," Malachite said with an evil 
smile.  "The power of this crystal will surely be noticed by Sailor 
Mercury, if not by Sailor Mars.  In the end, they will find you.  Your 
only concern is how you will destroy them."
     Obsidian still hesitated.  "I am confident in my own abilities, 
Lord Malachite, but I am nowhere near a match for all five of the Sailor
 Scouts."
     "With this crystal you are.  It will absorb the energy of their 
attacks and channel it into you.  It will also enable you to amplify 
your own energy and use it to attack them directly.  Now, go!"
     Obsidian smiled and vanished.  Malachite smiled broader, 
contemplating the unfolding events.  'That fool,' he thought.  'He 
doesn't realize that the crystal will be his eventual undoing.  Even if 
he succeeds, it will burn him out in a massive feedback loop that will 
reduce him to a pile of ashes.  But he should keep those wretched Scouts
 busy long enough for Queen Beryl to unleash the Negaforce.  And who 
knows... maybe he'll be lucky enough to eliminate one or two.  Or perhaps
 all of them.'  Thinking this, he laughed.

     Luna was waiting at the temple with Raye when Amy arrived.  
"Anything?"
     Amy shook her head and began working on the computer.  "Not really.
  If anything, the energy readings from whatever it is have become even 
fainter and more diffuse.  All I can say for certain is that it's in 
orbit."  Her analysis was interrupted by a giggle from across the room.
     "Oh, Serena," said Raye.
     "Hmmm?"  Engrossed as she was in her latest comic book, Serena 
didn't hear the false pleasantry in Raye's tone.
     "Have been listening to us?"
     "Uh huh."
     "Even when I called you a ditz, meatballhead?"
     "Uh huh."  After a second, the full meaning of Raye's words sunk 
in.  "Hey!"
     "Aha!" Raye leveled an accusing finger in Serena's face.  "I knew 
you weren't listening!"
     "Raye, you know perfectly well, my name is NOT meatballhead!"
     "So, you admit that you are a ditz?"
     "I am not a ditz!!" she wailed.  "So there!"  She stuck out her 
tongue at Raye, and the other girl retaliated in kind.
     "Oh, brother," Luna moaned.

     Obsidian materialized on Earth, in a park in the Juban region.  He 
fingered the crystal, establishing the link between it and himself.  The
 surge of power he felt from it hit him like a narcotic.  If Malachite 
was correct, the Scouts should appear soon.
     He hoped so.  He couldn't wait to use his newfound power.

     "Captain," said Spock.  "Sensors have detected one of the missing 
crystals, in the vicinity of Tokyo."
     Kirk scowled.  "Only one? Where are the others?"
     "Unknown."
     "Mr. Spock, you're with me.  Lt. Uhura, have Dr. McCoy and a 
security detail meet us in the transporter room.  Have the quartermaster
 supply late twentieth century clothing, appropriate for the area.  Mr.
 Sulu, you have the conn."  The two officers barely had time to 
acknowledge the orders before the captain and first officer disappeared
 into the turbolift.

     They were still in the midst of the tongue war when Raye suddenly 
straightened, her gaze flitting back and forth.  "What's wrong, Raye?" 
Serena asked, suddenly concerned for her friend.
     "I'm not sure," she answered.  "I just got an odd feeling.  
Something's wrong nearby."
     "I'm picking up something, too," Amy said.  "An energy source, 
similar to the one in orbit."  She paused a moment, tapping at the 
keyboard.  "It's in the park."
     "What's it doing there?" Lita asked.
     "Let's go check it out," Mina suggested.

     In a deserted corner of the park, six yellow orange pillars of 
energy appeared, solidifying moments later into the forms of Kirk, 
Spock, McCoy and three security guards.  They had changed into 
contemporary clothing, with Spock wearing a headband to conceal his 
pointed ears.  Spock began scanning the area with a tricorder, while 
the other members of the landing party took stock of their surroundings.
     It only took him a moment to locate what he was looking for.  He 
put the tricorder underneath his coat.  "Captain, I've located the 
crystal, approximately 100 meters northeast of here."  The Vulcan 
pointed in the direction his scans indicated.
     Kirk nodded.  "Very good, Mr. Spock.  All right, gentlemen, 
remember -- phasers on stun, and be careful not to hit that crystal!  
Let's go."

     "What is that?" asked Lita.  The five girls and two cats crowded 
together and peered around the tree.  A large black figure, it's skin 
shining like glass, was lurking about in the area.  A large white 
crystal was on a chain around it's neck.
     "Trouble," Artemis answered.
     "Really?  Now why would you think that?" Mina snapped at him.
     "Quickly," Luna said urgently, "transform now!!"

     Obsidian shifted his gaze back and forth.  The Scouts should be 
here soon.  Suddenly, a group of men entered the area.
     Distracted as he was by the humans' arrival and they with keeping 
an eye on him, Obsidian and the Enterprise landing party completely 
missed the light display coming from just over the hill.

     The landing party slowed their pace as they neared the location 
Spock had specified.  As they approached they saw a large figure already
 there, much too large to be a human.  It was nearly three meters tall, 
and it's skin was a glossy black, nearly as shiny as glass.  They had 
seen all forms of alien life in their travels, but this was enough to 
give even them pause.
     "What in Sam Hill is that, Jim?" said McCoy in a low voice.
     "I'm not sure, Bones, but it's got the crystal."
     "Leave while you can humans," it warned them.  "You are no match 
for the might of Obsidian!"
     Kirk took a bold step forward.  "You have something that belongs to
 us.  I suggest you give it back."
     It uttered a guttural laugh.  "You must be joking.  I'll be 
generous, humans.  Leave while you can.  It's not you that I'm after.  
Not today, anyway!"
     "Who are you after?" asked Kirk.
     "He probably means us!" exclaimed another voice.

     Obsidian turned to face the five sailor-suited girls.  They stood 
in a line facing him, Sailor Moon in the center with Mars and Mercury to
 her right, and Jupiter and Venus to her left.  "It's about time you 
showed up."
     Sailor Moon went through her usual pre-fight motions.  "I am Sailor
 Moon!  Champion of justice!  How dare you all cause trouble in this 
peaceful park!  In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"  To emphasize
 her point, she pointed forward, indicating she meant Obsidian and the 
Enterprise landing party.
     "Wait a minute, we're the good guys!" protested McCoy.

     "Is she serious?" muttered Kirk.
     Spock continued scanning the Scouts and Obsidian.  "I believe so, 
Captain.  I'm picking up very high energy readings from them.  There 
may be more to this situation than we realize."
     McCoy rolled his eyes.  "Always the master of understatement 
aren't you, Spock?"

     Obsidian sneered at the Scouts.  "Punish me?  I don't think so, 
Sailor-trash!  Not while I'm holding... this!"  He grabbed the captured 
crystal with one hand and it pulsed, sending a bolt of energy at them.  
They scattered to avoid the resulting explosion.
     Sailor Mars rolled to her feet and faced Obsidian.  "MARS FIRE... 
IGNITE!"  The fireball hurtled at the youma, scoring a direct hit, but 
the energy was absorbed by the crystal.

     Kirk was astonished.  "I see what you mean, Mr. Spock."
     "Should we move in, Captain?" inquired a security guard.
     As if in response, a wave of energy swept the area, forcing the 
landing party to take cover.

     "My turn," cried Jupiter.  "JUPITER THUNDER... CRASH!"  The 
electrical discharge hit Obsidian, but this was also absorbed by the 
crystal as well.  He sent another discharge at Sailor Jupiter.  After 
being knocked several meters backwards, she fell to the ground, 
obviously badly injured.
     "Sailor Jupiter!  NO!" cried Sailor Moon
     Sailor Mercury deployed her visor and began scanning.  The youma 
was somehow absorbing the energy of their attacks, and using it against 
them.  She had to find out before it was too late.

     Instinctively, McCoy raced to help the injured Scout.  Kirk 
signaled one of the guards to cover the doctor.
     "Fan out," he ordered the rest of his team.  "Try to hit him from 
the sides."
     "It would be a waste of energy, Captain." said Spock.  "The 
creature is using the crystal to absorb the energy of the Sailor's 
attacks.  It would do the same to our phasers."
     Kirk ducked another energy bolt from Obsidian.  "I'm open to 
suggestions, Mr. Spock."

     "Sailor Venus, let's double team him!" Mars cried, positioning 
herself on the opposite side of Obsidian as Venus.
     "I'm with you!  VENUS CRESCENT BEAM..."
     "MARS FIRE..."
     "SMASH!"
     "IGNITE!"
     The twin attacks of light and fire combined and hit Obsidian.  Once
 more, the energy of the attacks was absorbed.  The crystal pulsed, 
sending out two energy bolts, one at each Scout, causing a tremendous 
explosion on either side.  The smoke cleared revealing the still form of 
Venus.  Mars had taken a blow to the head and was trying to get shakily 
to her feet.

     McCoy looked up from tending Jupiter and quickly scanned the 
unconscious blonde.  She was still alive, but in bad shape.  He'd have 
to attend to her as soon as he could, but first he had to stabilize the 
injured Jupiter.

     Kirk had seen enough.  "Commence firing."  The red beams of energy 
struck Obsidian, with no obvious effect.  Brighter beams of energy 
emerged from the crystal and raced back at their positions.  One of the 
guards was struck and vanished in a flare of light.  The other members of
 the landing party were more fortunate, having gotten to cover.
     "We must get the crystal away from him, Captain," Spock urged him. 
 "Until then, he is effectively immune from our weapons."

     Mercury had come to the same solution.  "Sailor Moon!  We have to 
get that crystal away from him!  Then our attacks will be effective!"
     Obsidian sent an energy blast Sailor Mercury's way.  She tried to 
dodge, but was only partly successful.  The blast caught her on her left
 leg, and she fell clutching at it.
     Taking advantage of his distraction, Sailor Moon moved quickly.  
She leapt at Obsidian, and kicked at the crystal around his neck.  The 
force of the blow was enough to break the chain, sending it flying, 
coincidentally in Kirk's direction.  The youma struck back at her 
physically, hitting her midsection and knocking the wind from her.
     "Nice try, Sailor Moon, but too little, too late!"  He raised a 
fist to deliver the final blow.  "At long last, the Silver Crystal will 
be ours!"
     "Fire!"  Four beams of red energy stuck Obsidian in the back, 
causing him to wince in pain.  He whirled to face them.  "Adjust phasers
 to maximum," Kirk ordered.
     Obsidian wasn't about to give them the chance.  The Scouts had been
 effectively neutralized, so he decide to take out these pests before he
 finished them off.  He jumped amid the landing party, scattering them, 
and went after the leader.  Kirk fired his phaser at point blank range, 
but it had little effect other than enraging the youma; who grabbed Kirk
 by the neck and began to throttle him.  Spock angled in behind the 
youma, placing his hand at the base of it's neck in an ineffective 
attempt to use the Vulcan nerve pinch.
     Obsidian used his free hand in a sweeping maneuver to knock the 
other Starfleet officers to the ground, while Kirk pried uselessly at 
the iron grip around his throat.  His vision was already growing dim 
from lack of oxygen.
     Obsidian's neglect of the Scouts proved his undoing, for Sailor 
Moon had only had the wind knocked from her.  "MOON TIARA...MAGIC!"  she
 cried breathlessly, hurling the disc of energy at Obsidian.  She knew 
she had to be careful with this shot, or she would hit the man in his 
grip.  As always, her aim proved true, striking the youma dead center.  
Uttering a loud cry of despair, it disintegrated, leaving behind only a 
pile of moon dust.  Exhausted by the battle, she passed out.  
Unfortunately, she fell over on Sailor Mars, knocking her out as well.
     Now that the battle over, Luna and Artemis rushed in to check on 
the conditions of their charges.

     "Are you functional, Captain?" Spock inquired.
     Kirk nodded.  "I believe so, Mr. Spock."  He glanced uncertainly at
 the pile of dust that was all that remained of the creature, then over 
at the unconscious girl that had saved his life.  
     Satisfied that his captain was fine, Spock walked over to the 
crystal and examined it.  After satisfying himself that it was in good 
condition, he handed it to one of the security force.  "Return to the 
ship.  The captain, Dr. McCoy and myself will follow you shortly.  Get 
the crystal to Mr. Scott as quickly as possible."

     Mercury watched as two of the strangers disappeared into pillars of
 light, taking the strange crystal with them.  She wanted to find out 
about these people, but other matters took priority.  "We have to get a 
doctor for the others.  They need immediate medical attention."
     "I am a doctor," said McCoy responded gruffly.  He looked at Kirk.
  "Jim, I've got to get these two," indicating Jupiter and Venus, "up to
 the ship.  I can't do anything else for them down here.  And they 
wouldn't have a chance with the primitive medical facilities here."  
Kirk nodded an affirmative and McCoy pulled open his communicator.  
"McCoy to Enterprise.  Have medical emergency teams report to the 
transporter room.  Stand by to beam up landing party with wounded."
     Mercury wasn't quite sure what to make of what they were saying.  
Ship?  They didn't appear to fit the stereotype of naval personnel.  
Plus there were their strange weapons and the way those other two had 
just disappeared.  That certainly didn't fit the norm.  "Excuse me," she
 said, "But who are you people?"
     "We don't have time for introductions, Jim."
     "I'm afraid the good doctor is right," Kirk told her.  "But suffice
 it to say for now that we're friends, and we're going to do what we can
 to help your friends."  Kirk pulled out his communicator and opened it.
  "Kirk to Enterprise."
     "Enterprise, Lt. Uhura."
     "Have the transporter set on wide field, Lieutenant.  Eight to beam
 up at these coordinates."
     The transporter beam gripped the rest of the landing party and the 
Scouts.  The wide field beam also picked up two nearby cats as well.

     Beryl looked at her remaining General, somewhat displeased.  "Tell
 me, Malachite, where is the fifth crystal?"
     "Only four crystals are required to implement your plan to release 
the Negaforce, my queen," explained Malachite, choosing his words with 
care.  He was confident as to the soundness of his plan, but Beryl's 
moods could be best described as... flighty these days.  "I sent 
Obsidian with the fifth to destroy those wretched Sailor Scouts.  If he 
is successful, he should also be able to obtain the Silver Crystal for 
us."
     Beryl leaned back in her throne.  "An interesting plan."  Malachite
 relaxed internally.  Just a little bit.
     "And like all his previous plans, a complete failure!"  Prince 
Darien entered the room, glaring at Malachite.
     "What are you talking about, Prince Darien?" demanded Malachite.
     "I witnessed the battle.  Several of the Scouts were injured, but 
Sailor Moon was able to defeat Obsidian, with some help from the 
starship crew.  As always, Malachite, you underestimate your opponent."
     Malachite clenched his fists in rage.  "If several of the Scouts 
were injured, then it was a partial success, at least.  By the time they
 recover, it will be too late.  We will have released the Negaforce... 
and dealt with the starship, once and for all."
     Darien snorted.  "You're grasping at straws, Malachite.  If you 
could find the courage to fight your own battles, the Silver Crystal 
would be ours by now."
     "Why you..."
    "Enough, both of you!" snapped Beryl.  "Malachite, I want you to 
supervise the collection of energy.  When we have enough, we can release
 the Negaforce!"

Next Time: The Scouts have been badly injured in the recent battle, but 
are under the capable hands of Dr. McCoy on board the Federation's 
finest ship of the twenty third century.
     Meanwhile, Malachite still hasn't finished with the Enterprise yet.
  Can the Scouts recover in time to help the crew fend off the forces of
 the Negaverse?  Find out in part 3: "Welcome aboard, Sailor Scouts"
Sailor Trek: The Dilithium Dilemma
written by Bill Harris (Soton@aol.com)


Chapter 3 - Welcome aboard, Sailor Scouts

     "Captain's log, supplemental.  We have managed to retrieve one 
of the stolen crystals.  We have also beamed up some rather... 
interesting guests who may have information vital to our search.  Our 
questions will have to wait until they are treated for injuries 
received in the struggle to recover the first crystal."

     Sailor Mercury stood by the biobed that Sailor Mars lay on, with
 Sailor Moon's being right behind her.  The medical personnel had 
quickly tended her wounds, spraying synthetic plaskin being sprayed 
over the burn and using what they called a tissue regenerator, 
deadening the pain to that of a mild sunburn.  The technology present 
was beyond her grasp, but the readouts were still quite easy to read.
  Sailor Mars' and Sailor Moon's  readouts were well within the norms
indicated on the panels, so she wasn't too worried about their 
prognosis.  She just wished she knew more about the conditions of 
Jupiter and Venus.
     She had checked her computer earlier and confirmed that this 
ship was the source of the energy readings she had detected in orbit.
  She still wasn't sure who they were, but they obviously had no 
connection with the Negaverse.  Hopefully they were friendly.
     She heard someone approaching from behind her.  Turning, she saw
 one of the men who had been in the park.  Now he was dressed 
similarly to others she had seen here; boots, black pants and a blue 
shirt that had an arrow-like symbol over the left breast.  But what 
really got her attention was his ears.
     They were pointed.
     "Greetings," he said.  "Allow me to introduce myself.  I am 
Spock, first officer of the Enterprise."
     "I'm Sailor Mercury."
     He raised one eyebrow.  "Interesting.  I noticed during the 
battle that some of your associates referred to each other by various
 astronomical appellations.  Is that the case for the entire group?"
     "Yes," she answered with a nod.  "We're the Sailor Scouts.  
That's Sailor Moon, and this is Sailor Mars."  She looked around the 
room nervously.  "I'm... not sure where Sailor Jupiter and Sailor 
Venus are."
     "Your other friends are currently in surgery," Spock told her.  
At her sudden look of concern he added, "I would not be too worried.  
Dr. McCoy and Dr. M'Benga are excellent surgeons, among the best in 
Starfleet.  I am quite certain that Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus 
will make complete recoveries."
     "I hope you're right..." she said softly.
     After a moment, "If you will come with me, Captain Kirk would 
like to have a word with you."
     "I don't know..."  She glanced over at the two unconscious 
Scouts.
     "There is nothing more you can do for your friends by remaining.
  Since we are obviously faced by a mutual opponent, logic dictates 
that we foment a rapid exchange of information so we can develop a 
mutual strategy."  Seeing that she was still hesitant, he added, "If 
you wish, I can arrange for us to be notified upon any change to their
 conditions, no matter how slight."
     She nodded reluctantly and followed him.  She knew in a way he 
was right but part of her didn't want to leave until she knew that 
they were all OK.  As she followed Spock, another thought struck her.
     What had happened to Luna and Artemis?

     Luna touched the forcefield experimentally, and uttered a small 
yowl of pain.  One of the guards outside looked down at her.  "Be 
careful, kitty.  Touching that force field could scorch your paws off."
  She shot him a dirty look, then retreated to the rear of the room 
where Artemis was sulking.
     "Well, what have you got to say for yourself?" she demanded in a
 low voice.
     "It's not my fault we're stuck here," he maintained in the same 
manner.
     "Not your fault?!?  You nearly clawed that man's hand off!"
     Artemis motioned frantically for her to keep her voice down.  
The guard looked inside for a moment, then returned his attention to 
the hallway.  "It wasn't that bad."
     "Bad enough that the guard shot you with that weapon of theirs.
  And they got me as well.  It's lucky for us that we were only 
rendered unconscious for a while."  She sighed, exasperated.  "Did you
 have to go bezerk like that?  We'd probably be in that 'sickbay' place
 they mentioned if you hadn't!"
     The white cat glared at her.  "You heard what they were saying 
about us.  They were about to 'beam' us down, which tells me we 
wouldn't be anywhere near them.  And if it had been Serena injured 
like that and they had tried to keep you away, Luna, you'd have gone a
 little ballistic too."
     She nodded, conceding his point.  "Perhaps you're right."  
Glancing about the room, she added, "On a brighter note, I don't think
 these people mean the Scouts any ill will.  I'm not sensing anything 
evil about this place."
     Artemis came out of his brooding state long enough to glance 
around himself.  "You're right.  But there's a hint of malice, as if 
someone from the Negaverse was here for a brief time."
     "Yes," agreed Luna.  "Malachite, perhaps.  He probably stole 
that crystal from here.  But where is here?  And what was that crystal?"
     "Good questions," Artemis said.  "We'll just have to wait for 
the answers."

     The medical technician ran the test one more time, and nodded in
 satisfaction.  "No lasting injuries, sir," she told her captain, "but
 you're going to have a sore neck for a few days."
     "Better than being strangled," Kirk replied with a smile.  
"Thank you."  He went into the door, where his first officer was 
patiently waiting with one of their guests.  "I told the good doctor
 I was fine, but he still insists on being a mother hen."
     "A wise precaution, nonetheless.  Dr. McCoy's dedication to the
 health of the crew is well noted," Spock stated.
     Kirk allowed himself a small grin.  "You'd better not let Bones
 hear you talk like that.  He'll accuse you of becoming more human."
     Spock raised an eyebrow, but made no other comment.  "Captain, 
this is Sailor Mercury, of the Sailor Scouts."
     He extended a hand, "I'm Captain James T. Kirk, of the Federation
Starship Enterprise.  Welcome aboard.  I wish the circumstances were
different."
     "Likewise."  Her gaze flickered in the general direction of the 
surgery.
     At Kirk's unspoken question, Spock said, "Dr. McCoy and Dr. 
M'Benga are in surgery with the two more severely injured Sailor 
Scouts.  The others have sustain relatively minor injuries and have 
been treated."
     "I see," Kirk mused.  "And the felines we picked up?"
     "Secure."
     'Felines?  Secure?'  Mercury perked up on hearing this.  "One 
white, the other black, each with a crescent moon marking?"  At 
Spock's nod, "They're with us.  Are they here?  On this ship?"
     "They are currently in the brig," Spock replied.
     "What?!?"  Mercury was aghast by this development.  "They're 
harmless!"
     "You may inform Chief Kyle of that fact," Spock replied evenly.  
"He sustained severe lacerations from the white feline."
     "Artemis," she said softly.  "He's probably just worried about 
Sailor Venus.  They've been together for some time."  At their puzzled
 looks, she added, "I'll explain later.   I know we've got a lot of 
things to talk about, but could they be brought here first?  Or 
perhaps I could bring them myself?  I could keep them from... 
overreacting."
     Kirk looked thoughtful.  "I don't see why not.  Mr. Spock, why 
don't you escort Sailor Mercury to the brig.  In the meantime, I'm 
going to check on things on the bridge.  Afterwards, we can try to 
sort this out."

     The guard came to attention as Spock came up to the brig entrance
 with Sailor Mercury beside him.  "...so you're half human?" she was 
saying.
     "Correct.  My mother is from Earth, and my father is from the 
planet Vulcan."  To the guard he said, "Deactivate the forcefield."
     "Yes, sir."  The guard snapped the controls to the 'off' position,
 and the forcefield barring the entrance shut down.  Mercury entered 
the room, and Luna jumped into her arms.
     "I'm glad to see you, Amy," she whispered.
     "Same here," she whispered back.  "Don't worry, I think we're 
among friends."
     "Where are the others?"
     "Sickbay.  I'm taking you there.  Mina and Lita are in surgery.  
Raye and Serena seem to be fine, more or less."  She turned and handed
 the black feline to the Vulcan.  "Could you carry Luna, while I carry
Artemis?  That way we don't have to worry about him scratching someone
 else."  Artemis meowed in protest.
     "Of course," Spock responded with his customary calmness.  Mercury
 handed Luna to him and bent down to pick Artemis up.  Thus she missed
 the sudden expressions of shock on both Spock's and Luna's faces.  
Uttering a loud screech, the cat leapt out of his grasp and landed on
 the bench then turned to stare at Spock.
     "Huh?"  Mercury looked between the two, confused as to what was 
going on.  The guard also became more alert at these developments, and
 put a hand on his phaser.
     "Fascinating..."   Spock turned to the crewman.  "That will be 
all, ensign.  Dismissed."
     The redshirt looked doubtful.  "Sir, are you sure..."
     "I said dismissed, ensign!" the first officer said in a slightly
 louder tone.  The guard nodded in acknowledgement and retreated down
 the corridor.  Spock turned back to Mercury.  "You did not say that 
these cats were sentient."
     Mercury gasped.  "How did you..."
     "He's a telepath, Mercury," Luna responded.  "I felt him touch my
 mind."
     "A touch telepath," Spock corrected.  "Typically my psi shields 
keep out unwanted contacts during physical contact, but I did not 
anticipate a sentient mind in a feline form.  Thus my shielding was 
not at the appropriate level.  My apologies for the intrusion."
     "No harm done," responded the cat.  "Shall we continue to 
sickbay?"
     "Of course," Spock replied.  Steeling his defenses, he picked 
Luna up again.  "Once we are there, we have much to discuss."

     Sailor Moon opened her eyes.  "Whoa, that was one weird dream..."
  Her voice trailed off when she got a good look at her surroundings.
  It wasn't a dream, after all.  "Raye! Are you OK?  Where are the 
others?  Where are we?"
     "Ask me again when the room stops spinning," she grumbled, slowly
 sitting up.
     "Oh, good, you're OK."  Then she frowned, "But how'd you get 
hurt?"
     "You're head conked into mine when you fell down, that's how,"
 Mars snapped.
     "Oh, yeah, that's right."  She felt her head tentatively.  "So 
how come my head doesn't hurt?"
     "Because there's nothing up there to damage?"
     Sailor Moon went through a sudden mood change and started 
snarling at Mars. "WHAT?!?"
     Further argument was forestalled by Mercury's arrival with 
Artemis.  "Well, I see you two have recovered."
     "More or less," Mars answered.
     "Hey, where's Luna?" asked Sailor Moon.
     "She's having a discussion in private with Mr. Spock," Artemis 
replied.
     "Spock?  That's a weird name," Mars said.
     "I doubt that's true for him.  After all, he's not human," said 
Mercury.

     "Well, what did you want to talk about?" Luna sat upon the table
 in McCoy's office.  Spock sat himself down in the chair facing her.
     "There is a great deal of information to exchange between the two
 of us.  In the interests of expediency, I suggest the Vulcan Mind 
Meld."
     "What's that?"
     "It is a Vulcan telepathic technique.  Utilizing my abilities, 
our minds will temporarily merge, becoming effectively one mind.  
Considering the vast area of information we have to exchange, it seems
 the most logical means to do so."
     "I agree," said Luna.  "Please proceed."
     Spock folded his hands in front of his chest, beginning the 
mental preparations for the meld.  After a moment, he placed both 
hands on opposite sides of Luna's head.  Her head was too small for 
the usual contact points, so he improvised as best he could.  "My mind
 to your mind," he intoned as he formed the link.  "Your thoughts to 
my thoughts."  The connection was forged, and the two minds became one.
     Images poured through the meld.  Memories of the Silver 
Millennium, of the Moon Kingdom.  The joy Luna felt watching the 
Scouts grow in power.   Her friendship with the Princess.  Watching 
her fall in love with Prince Darien.
     Other memories, these horrific.  Beryl's attack on the Moon 
Kingdom.  Watching as it is completely destroyed.  The Scouts valiant,
 but futile struggle against the invader.  Her sadness at seeing 
Darien and Serena killed by the Negaforce.  Queen Serenity's use of 
the Silver Crystal and her ultimate sacrifice.  The cold sleep capsule.
     Reawakening.  Finding Serena, Sailor Moon.  Searching for the 
other Scouts.  Her frustration with Serena.  Looking for the Princess
 reborn, never realizing that she was under her nose all along.
     Spock's memories flowed through the meld also.   His struggle 
growing up on Vulcan.  Joining Starfleet despite his father's wishes, 
and attending the Academy.  The years of silence with his father, 
Sarek.  The assignment to the Enterprise.  His service under first 
Captain Pike and later, Captain Kirk.  His reconciliation with Sarek.
  The travels and adventure of the Enterprise and her crew.  The ship's
 transition to this universe.  The theft of the crystals.
     Mutual memories of the recent battle were also exchanged.  Luna's
 horror at watching the Scouts fall wounded one by one.  Spock's 
concern for his captain and friend as Obsidian choked him.  Their 
return to the Enterprise.
     After several minutes, Spock opened his eyes and released his 
hold on Luna.  They regarded each other for several moments.
     "Fascinating."

     McCoy walked tiredly into his office, only to find Spock sitting 
there.  The Vulcan rose as he entered.  "My apologies for the 
intrusion, Doctor, but I required privacy."
     "Something wrong with your quarters?" McCoy grumbled, then waved 
him off.  "Forget it.  I'm too tired to argue right now, Spock."  He 
glanced momentarily at the black cat in the office with them, but 
shook it off.
     "What are the current conditions of your patients?"
     McCoy sighed.  "M'Benga completed work on the blonde just before
 I finished on the brunette.  They're both in recovery right now.  
It'll be at least a week before they'll be able to leave here."
     "But they will make a complete recovery?"
     "Oh, no doubt about it."  He could have sworn he heard a sigh of 
relief from the cat.  Poppycock.  "Though their constitutions are 
amazing.  The injuries they sustained would have killed anyone else.  
Even you, Spock."
     The Vulcan ignored the half hearted barb.  "Very well. I..."  
Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by the sound of a loud 
argument.
     "Now what?" McCoy snapped, rushing out of his office.
     "Oh, no," Luna moaned, "here we go again."
     "Indeed," Spock answered, fully comprehending the source of her 
distress.

     Sailor Moon glared daggers at Mars.  "You take that back!"
     "Just telling it like it is."
     "Why you --"
     "ENOUGH!"  Shocked into silence, Mars and Moon gaped at McCoy, 
who returned their stares with eyes full of fury. "I don't know what 
you two are arguing about, but it will stop this instant!  And you!"
  He pointed a finger at Mars, "You lie back down this instant, young
 lady!  You're still recovering from a concussion."
     "I'm fine," insisted Sailor Mars, ignoring the fact that room was
 spinning.  She tried to take a step, but immediately grabbed the bed
 for support.
     "Sure you are," said McCoy.  "Now are you going to get back in 
that bed, or do I have to give you a sedative?"
     "I think you should do what he says, Mars," Sailor Moon suggested.
     "When did you become a doctor?"
     Sailor Moon bristled.  "I may not be a doctor, but I know common
 sense when I hear it."
     "Come on," Mars retorted.  "You and common sense..."
     "I said stop the bickering!" McCoy interrupted.  "I don't have 
all day to stand around here constantly breaking up these skirmishes 
of yours.  I'm a doctor, not a referee!  Now if you two can't be quiet,
 I'll arrange a nice long nap."  To emphasize his point, he pulled out 
a hypo.
     "He's right," Mercury put in.  "Can't you keep from arguing for 
more than five minutes?"
     "Not likely," Artemis muttered.  McCoy blinked, suddenly taken 
aback.  Did he just hear that cat talk?
     His speculation was interrupted by the alert klaxon going off 
and Uhura's voice from the intercom.  "Intruder alert, all decks!  
Security to main engineering!"

     Spock snapped open the intercom.  "Spock here."
     "Spock, we've got multiple intruders reported in main 
engineering," Kirk's voice came over the intercom.  "Meet me there as
 soon as possible."
     "Captain, if the intruders are similar to the creature we faced
 earlier, we may need the assistance of the Sailor Scouts to deal 
with them."  Luna was already rushing out of the office.
     "Good idea.  Bring as many of them as you can with you.  
Kirk out."

     Luna bounded up by Sailor Moon.  "It's the Negaverse!"  McCoy's
 jaw dropped.  First teenage girls with superpowers, now a talking cat.
  What next?  "They're attacking this ship.  All of you need to get to
 the engineering section to help.  And that includes Venus and Jupiter
 as well!"  Mars groaned and tried to rise.
     "Now just a damned minute!" McCoy's voice rang out.  OK, maybe 
there was a talking cat around here, but he was still the CMO of this
 ship.  "Only you two," pointing to Sailor Moon and Mercury, "are 
cleared to leave.  The others are confined to Sickbay."
     "Be that as it may, Doctor," Spock said, "We need them in 
engineering.  Now."
     "Spock, you know as well as I do that's impossible."
     "Not quite doctor," the Vulcan insisted.  "Sailor Moon can heal
 the others by utilizing the Moon Healing Power."
     "The what?!?  How the blazes do you know that, Spock?" snapped
 McCoy.
     "As a result of a mind meld I conducted with Luna," Spock 
replied, indicating the black cat.
     McCoy glanced back and forth between the feline and the first 
officer.  "You had a mind meld with a CAT!!  Are you out of your 
Vulcan mind?"
     "I hope not," said Luna.  "That could have serious repercussions
 for my mental stability."
     Artemis looked dumbfounded.  "Luna!"  McCoy stared speechlessly
 at the white cat.  TWO talking cats?
     "Fascinating," Spock said.  "I don't think I have ever seen the
 doctor at such a loss for words.  Much as I would like to have a 
logical debate with you doctor, there isn't time."  He turned to 
Sailor Moon.  "The five of you are needed in engineering immediately.
  I suggest you heal you friends and make your way there posthaste."  
     "Right!" she said as she pulled out the Crescent Moon Wand.
     Recovering slightly, McCoy eyed her skeptically.  "And just what
 do you think that will do?" he asked.  "Do you think you can wave 
your magic wand and make everyone better?"
     "Something like that," responded Sailor Moon as Spock raised one
 eyebrow.  It would seem that Doctor McCoy would be in for another 
shock. "Just stay right there, and I'll show you!"

     "Och, not again!" Scotty snapped as he ducked down into cover, 
hoping that his precious engines wouldn't be too badly damaged.  The 
security forces present had been able to prevent the creatures from 
damaging any critical systems, but it was too evenly matched to be 
sure as to the outcome.  He heard the sound of the doors opening and
 sighed, relieved that reinforcements had finally arrived.
     "I am Sailor Moon!" a teenaged voice proclaimed.  "The champion 
of justice!  I right wrongs and triumph over evil! And that means you!"
     "It's the Sailor Scouts!" hissed a fear laden voice.
     "What the devil?" Scotty muttered.  He risked a look into the 
combat zone and gasped.  Five teenage girls stood in the door, 
confronting the monsters that had invaded the Enterprise engine room.
  "Are they out of their minds?" he wondered.  "Those lasses have nae
 got a prayer!"
     "MERCURY BUBBLES... BLAST!"  The engine room was suddenly filled
 with fog.
     "JUPITER THUNDER... CRASH!"
     "VENUS CRESCENT BEAM... SMASH!"
     "MARS FIRE... IGNITE!"
     Flashes of lightning, intense beams of light and balls of fire 
showered through the engine room, disintegrating most of the invaders.
  The last youma remaining looked around wildly before he heard "MOON
 TIARA.... MAGIC!" and was himself disintegrated.  "Well, that was 
easy!"
     "Easy?"  The security squad looked around in amazement as the 
fog cleared.  These teenagers had mopped up a horde of creatures in a
 matter of seconds that they had been struggling just to contain for 
the last five minutes! 
     "I dinna believe it," Scotty muttered as he came out of cover and
 walked up to the one that seemed to be the leader.  "I dinna know who
 ye are, but thank ye all the same."
     The doors whooshed open as Kirk entered the engine room at this 
point, followed shortly by Spock.  A quick glance of the Scouts 
standing in the room amid several piles of dust and ash told him that 
the situation was well in hand.  "Thanks for your assistance."
     "No problem," said Sailor Moon, with Mercury and Mars concurring.
     "Piece of pie," Venus said with a wide grin and flashing a "V for
 Victory", drawing several incredulous looks from the engine room 
personnel.
     Jupiter said nothing, but was staring wide-eyed at Kirk.  "Wow.  
He looks just like my old boyfriend."  As one, the Scouts uttered a 
loud groan, while both of Spock's eyebrows went upward.
     "Um... thanks... I think," Kirk stammered.  He quickly excused 
himself and went over to Scotty.  Jupiter continued to stare at him.  
"How's it look, Scotty?"
     "I just managed to install the crystal before this bunch of 
wraiths appeared," Scotty said.  He glanced at the engineering status
 board and nodded satisfactorily.  "It does nae look like anything was
 damaged during the fight.  Warp power is now available."
     "Good," Kirk responded.  "Activate the cloaking device."
     "Captain, I would nae draw too much power from the mains," the 
scotsman cautioned, "not when we only have the one crystal available.
  Too much power through it and it'll blow for sure."
     "Leaving us right back were we started.  Draw power from the warp
 engines for the cloaking device only.  All other systems are to run 
off impulse."  Nodding, Scotty leaned over activated several controls
 on the main board.
     "Cloaking device?" Venus said.  "What's that?"
     "A device to render us invisible to most forms of detection,"
 Spock responded.
     "Cool!" Jupiter cried.  "A stealth starship!"
     "Colloquially expressed..." the Vulcan observed, "but essentially
 correct."

     Malachite frowned.  The starship had faded from detection moments
 ago, but not in the way he had expected.
     "Malachite!" Beryl yelled.
     The general started.  "Yes, my queen?"
     "I believe I had ordered you to supervise the collection of 
energy needed to release the Negaforce.  Why have you not done so?"
     He bowed to her.  "Forgive me, my queen, but I was taking steps 
to be sure the starship could not interfere.  I..."
     Beryl snorted.  "Even if they knew our exact plans, there is 
nothing they can do to hinder our plans!  Supervise the collection of 
energy!  All else is secondary!!"
     "Yes, my queen."


Next time:  The Scout have saved the ship from Malachite's latest 
attack, and the Enterprise is now safely hidden.  But where do they go
 from here?
Find out in chapter 4: "Strategy session"

soton@aol.com (Soton)

Sailor Trek

Chapter 4:  "Strategy session"
     "Captain's log, supplemental.  Thanks to a miraculous recovery 
by our guests, the Sailor Scouts, we have successfully repelled another
boarding attempt by our opponents.  Mr. Spock has identified them as 
being from what's called "The Negaverse".  Our main priority now is to 
locate and recover the remaining crystals."

     "You mean this is a spaceship?!" Jupiter exclaimed.
     "Starship," Spock corrected.  "The Enterprise is a Constitution 
class heavy cruiser, one of only twelve such vessels in Starfleet."
     The scene in the briefing room was a rather incongruous one.  At 
one end of the table, Kirk, McCoy and Scotty were being quietly 
briefed by the two moon cats.  At the other end, Spock was handling a 
similar duty with the Sailor Scouts.
     "OK, so you guys are from another universe, where it's the twenty 
third century," Mars summarized.  "No Sailor Scouts, no Negaverse.  So 
what's the deal with that crystal that youma had?"
     "I believe that your question would be best answered when Luna 
has finished briefing the captain," Spock replied.
     Coincidentally, Luna had finished her exposition on the Sailor 
Scouts history, both ancient and recent.
     "It's almost to much to believe," McCoy commented.
     "When you consider that you're hearing this from a talking cat, 
Bones, it's not really that hard," Kirk replied.
     "Aye," Scotty agreed.  "And considering the way that white haired 
devil popped in and out of engineering like a wraith, along with those 
other beasties."
     "White haired devil?" Sailor Moon asked, obviously puzzled.
     "I think he means Malachite," Venus chipped in.
     "If you mean this individual..." Spock inserted a data cartridge 
and an image of Malachite in engineering appeared on the central 
monitor.  "...then you are correct."
     Jupiter's face darkened with barely controlled fury.  "That's 
Malachite, alright."
     "I don't get it," said Venus.  "What was he doing here?  Lately 
all he's been doing is try to steal the Silver Crystal from Sailor 
Moon."
     "Yeah, usually through some crazy scheme," Mars added.
     "Which you always seem to get in the middle of," Artemis quipped.
     "Hey!"
     "Well, I'm not the one who went to the 'Moon Princess Skiing 
Con--'  OW!" Artemis rubbed his now sore nose.
     Hoping to prevent the meeting from getting too much out of order, 
Spock responded to Venus' original question.  "He stole the ship's 
dilithium crystals."  Knowing full well what the reaction would be, 
Spock brought up a picture of Prince Darien.  "Along with this 
individual."  
     "Darien."  Though spoken quietly, this one word from Sailor Moon 
was filled with emotion.
     "I understand from Luna that you and he are quite... close, and 
that he has been brainwashed into working for the Negaverse.  In that 
respect, I'm sorry," Kirk said sympathetically.  Then, in a more 
strident tone, "However, I now have two crewmen dead as a result of all 
this.  One during our battle to recover the crystal; and the other 
when these two stole them in the first place.  I want to know is why."
     Sailor Moon looked horrified.  "Dead?  Did...  did Darien...?"
     "Negative," Spock said, shaking his head.  "Darien had already 
departed the ship by that point.  Malachite was directly responsible 
for the crewman's death."
     "Aye, he was," Scotty stated.  "But he was in a quick enough hurry 
to leave once the crystals were taken."
     "So the operative question is: why did they steal the dilithium 
crystals in the first place?" Kirk said.
     "Well, if we knew what dilithium was, maybe we could help," Mars 
said.
     "A logical request," Spock replied.  "Dilithium is a crystalline 
substance which is an essential element to our ship's main power source.  
In simple terms, it serves as an energy magnifier, amplifying the 
energy output from our matter-antimatter intermix chamber to power the 
ship's warp drive system.  Five crystals are used in total.  Four as 
primaries, with the fifth serving as a reserve."
     "If you don't understand him, don't worry," said McCoy.  "I work 
with him everyday, and I still don't understand him."
     "It can amplify all forms of energy?" Mercury asked.
     "Correct."
     The blue haired Scout looked thoughtful. "But if it can amplify 
energy, including organic energy, then..."  Her voice trailed off as 
she considered the implications.  "Oh, no!"
     "What is it?" asked Sailor Mars.
     "They could use the crystals to amplify an amount of negative 
organic energy, producing enough to recharge and release the Negaforce!"
     "That doesn't sound good," said Sailor Moon.
     "Of course not!  It's disastrous!" exclaimed Luna.  "If they're 
able to release the Negaforce, they'll be unstoppable!"
     "Alright, already, Luna!  I got his drift!"
     "Once the Negaforce has been released, the forces of the Negaverse 
will strive to conquer this Earth," Spock said.  "Once they have 
accomplished this, I believe it is likely that they will attempt to 
spread their influence to our universe.  The Federation itself could be 
at risk."
     "Agreed.  Our best strategy is to locate and retrieve the crystals 
before they can be used in that manner," said Kirk.  "Any luck in that 
department, Mr. Spock?"
     The Vulcan scowled.  "Unfortunately, we have made little progress 
in even locating the missing crystals.  Since they are in another 
dimension, it seems unlikely that we will be able to locate them unless 
Beryl and her forces return them to this plane of reality."
     "By then, it'll be too late," said Artemis.
     "There must be some way to locate the crystals," McCoy blurted.
     "I am open to suggestions, Doctor," Spock replied, as imperturbable as
ever.
     "I might be able to help," said Sailor Mercury.  She opened her 
computer and began manipulating the keyboard.  "I've been having some 
success scanning into the Negaverse.  Unfortunately, the range is 
quite limited."
     Spock eyed the minicomputer intently.  "Remarkable.  May I 
examine it?"
     "Certainly."  She handed the computer to Spock.  The Vulcan 
examined it closely for several moments, seemingly entranced, then 
began operating it tentatively.
     "Fascinating."  The first officer's voice had an almost... 
reverent tone to it.
     McCoy looked on with a bemused expression.  "Don't look now, Jim, 
but I think he's in love."  This caused Mercury to blush a bright red.
     "Doctor, that is most illogical.   I am merely examining a most 
fascinating piece of equipment," Spock replied.
     "I'll bet," McCoy retorted in a low voice.  Mercury turned even 
redder, and the other scouts began to giggle.
     "Doctor, you are fully aware that, as a Vulcan, I am quite 
incapable of the emotions you are implying," Spock continued as if 
there were no interruption.
     "That you'll admit to," McCoy challenged.
     Spock ignored McCoy's last remark.  "Captain, I believe that 
Sailor Mercury's computer will be able to locate our stolen crystals 
if it is interfaced with the ship's main computer.   We can then 
utilize the ships sensors and scan directly into the Negaverse."
     "If Sailor Mercury is agreeable..." Kirk began.
     She nodded vigorously.  "Of course.  Anything I can do to help."
     "Very well.  Mr Spock, you and Sailor Mercury will proceed with 
the interface and begin scanning for the stolen crystals."
     "Jim, even if we locate the crystals, how are we going to get 
them back?  It's not likely we can beam them out of another dimension," 
said McCoy.
     Kirk eyed his first officer.  "He's got a point, Spock.  Any 
suggestions?"
     "Not at this time, Captain.  However, I do have the beginnings 
of a theory based on the method Malachite used to board the ship.  
I shall explore the possibilities after setting up the scanning run 
for the crystals."  At a nod from his captain, Spock left the briefing 
room, with Sailor Mercury following.
     McCoy pointed to the Scouts.  "In the meantime, I want the lot 
of you back in sickbay."
     "Why?  We're fine," Mars protested.
     "Maybe so, thanks to that Moon Crystal thingamajig, but I still 
want you checked over to be sure.  So don't give me any grief!"
     Kirk chuckled.  "I know from personal experience that it's 
impossible to argue with the doctor."
     "Gee, he must be related to Mars."
     "WHAT?!"

     "There!" Sailor Mercury said.  She looked up at Spock, who was 
standing next to her by the bridge science station.  "I've established 
the linkup to the main computer."
     "Impressive," Spock stated.  "I had anticipated that it would 
take much longer to complete the interface."
     "Well, my computer is designed to be easy to use."  She looked
 somewhat apologetic.  "And... it is somewhat more powerful than your
 ship's computer."  Her soft spoken statement drew several amazed 
looks from the other members of the bridge crew.  Even Spock looked a
bit taken back by this.
     "Fascinating."
     "I'll need the specifications on dilithium crystal structure before 
I can set up the scanning protocols."
     "Very well."  Spock activated the audio link to the library 
computer.  "Computer, access files on dilithium structure and transfer 
them along the established linkup."
     "Working..."  The computer made various clicking and whirring 
noises as it complied with the command.  "...complete."
     Sailor Mercury tapped several keys on her computer and nodded in 
satisfaction.  "Yes, they're here.  I'll modify the scanning program 
now."  She began working furiously on the small computer.
     As she was doing so, the turbolift doors opened, and Kirk strode 
onto the bridge.  "Any progress, Mr. Spock?"
     "Yes, Captain.  Sailor Mercury is configuring her computer to scan 
the Negaverse.  We should be ready to begin momentarily."
     "Mr. Spock," said Sulu, "I've completed the sensor sweeps you 
asked for."
     Spock nodded.  After a questioning glance from the Captain, he 
said "I asked Mr. Sulu scan the surrounding space for spatial 
distortions while I was assisting Sailor Mercury.  If my theory is 
correct, Malachite is using a spatial distortion to transport himself 
between this dimension and the Negaverse."
     "Can we do the same?"
     "Possibly."
     "I see.  What have you found, Mr. Sulu?"
     "I located three spatial distortions in the Earth-Moon system.  
Two are on Earth itself -- one at the North Polar region and the other 
in Japan.  The third is located on the moon, here..."  He tapped a 
control, bringing an image of the moon on the main viewscreen.  There 
was a blinking light on one of the mare.  "...in the Sea of Serenity."
     Kirk regarded the image for a moment.  "Well, Spock?  Can we use 
these distortions to beam the crystals out of the Negaverse?"
     Spock examined the readouts on Sulu's viewer for a moment.  "Not 
directly.  However, if we produce a modulated subspace field at the 
sight of one of the distortions, it should create a dimensional 
interconnecting corridor.  We should then be able to direct a 
transporter beam directly into the Negaverse.  If necessary, it would 
allow for communications as well."
     "It'll take a lot of power to generate the field," Scotty said.  
"But the impulse engines have enough to do the job."
     Spock shook his head.  "Negative, Mr. Scott.  The field generator 
must be located as close to the site of the distortion as possible."
     "It'll have to be a shuttlecraft then," replied the engineer.  He 
sighed.  "I think it's got the power reserves needed, but it'll be a 
near thing."
     "I suggest using the lunar site, Captain," said Spock.  "A 
shuttle would be too visible at one of the sites on Earth."
     "Agreed.  How long to make the necessary modifications, Scotty?"
     "Not long, sir.  I'll get right on it."  The engineer headed for 
the turbolift and left the bridge.
     Mercury looked up from her computer.  "There.  The scanning program 
is complete.  I'm initiating scans of the Negaverse... now."  She 
tapped on the keyboard, and the words 'Scan in progress' appeared on 
the screen.
     "Good work," said Kirk.
     Spock glanced at the science station.  "The scans of the Negaverse 
should be completed by the time Mr. Scott has finished the shuttle 
modifications."
     "Excuse me," said Sailor Mercury.  "Could you tell me where the 
other Scouts are?"
     "I've assigned them temporary quarters," replied Kirk.  "Luna 
suggested that it would be a good idea for them to get some rest, 
once McCoy had finished with them."  He smiled slightly when she fought 
back a yawn.  "And I think it would be a good idea for you, too."
     "Yes, I think you're right.  Could someone please show me the way?"  
Kirk motioned to a  security guard, who followed Mercury into the 
turbolift.

     "Here you are," the guard said.  "You and Sailor Moon have been 
assigned these quarters."
     Mercury thanked the guard and entered.  The room was darker than 
the corridor had been, but not much since the ship was observing 
'nighttime' conditions.  It didn't take long for her eyes to adjust.  
Suddenly feeling very tired, she allowed the transformation to reverse 
itself as she made her way into the bedroom.
     Serena was sitting up in the bed, reading something on the viewer.  
Luna had curled herself up on the bed, and at least gave the 
appearance of sleeping.   Serena looked up when she came into the room.  
"Hi, Amy.  How'd it go with you and Spock?"
     "Good.  The linkup to the main computer went fairly smoothly.  The 
scanning program is running now.  They'll call us if anything develops."
     She gave her a sly look.  "Are you sure that's all you two were 
doing?"  Amy colored slightly at the insinuation.
     "Serena!  We were working!"
     "Oh, really?"
     Luna came to her rescue.  "That's enough, Serena.  Both of you 
should get some sleep now."
     "Oh, all right.  Just let me finish this one book."
     "What are you reading?" Amy asked, curious despite herself.
     Serena turned the viewer towards her with flourish.  "Ta daa!"
  Amy took one look, then bowed her head in disappointment.  With 
the entire literature of the Federation to chose from, Serena was 
reading comic books!

     The buzzing from the intercom woke them up.  Serena screamed 
"I'm going to be so late!" and tried frantically to get ready for 
school before realizing where she was.
     Luna hopped onto the table and answered the call.  "Yes?"
     "Spock here.  The captain and I will be meeting you there in five 
minutes."  With a click, the intercom went silent.
     Amy checked her watch.  "It's only been four hours.  I wonder what's
happened."
     "We'll find out soon enough," Luna replied.  "Hurry up you two, and
transform."
     The door buzzed five minutes later, and they greeted Kirk and Spock 
as they entered. The others followed them in.  "The good news is that 
the scanning program worked like a charm, and we've got a location for 
the crystals.  The bad news is that it looks like our opponents are on 
the move.  Uhura has monitored reports of people fainting or complaining 
of weakness."
     "They're gathering energy to release the Negaforce," Artemis said.
     "That was my analysis," Spock replied.  He handed Mercury her 
computer.  "Unfortunately, it forces us to take action before we can 
adequately prepare ourselves."
     "You can't beam the crystals out?" Luna asked.
     "I'm afraid not," Kirk replied.  "The sensor resolution was only 
good enough to pinpoint a general location, not good enough for a 
transporter lock.  If we want them back we're going to have to go after 
them ourselves."  The captain looked hesitant.  "Look, I can't order 
you to do this.  To avoid our presence from contaminating your universe, 
my crew and I must attempt to retrieve the crystals.  But it's not your 
responsibility.  If you wish, I can have you beamed back to..."
     "Don't say another word, captain," Sailor Moon interrupted.  
"We're in.  We're going to help."
     "Thank you," Kirk said as they exited the room.  "Luna, Artemis; 
Mr. Spock will escort you to the shuttlebay."
     "Why?" Artemis asked.
     "The shuttle is carrying equipment to generate a subspace field 
that will enable us to transport directly to the Negaverse," Spock 
explained.  "We've determined that the optimal point to produce the 
field is in the center of what was the Moon Kingdom."
     "And since you've been there before, I want you to accompany Mr. 
Scott on the Galileo," Kirk added.
     "I don't know how much help we can be, but anything we can do," 
Luna answered.  Before leaving she turned to the Scouts.  "Good luck."
     "We'll meet Commander Giotto and his security detail in the 
transporter room," Kirk said after they left.  "Once the Galileo is in 
position we'll beam in.  I would have preferred more time to drill our 
forces in working together, but that's not possible.
     "Ready or not, we're going to the Negaverse."

Next Time: The combined forces of the Sailor Scouts and the Enterprise 
crew are poised to strike into the heart of the Negaverse. They must 
recover the dilithium crystals before they can be used to unleash the 
Negaforce.
     Stay tuned for part 5: "...once more into the breach..."
soton@aol.com (Soton)

Sailor Trek

Chapter 5 - "...once more into the breach..."
     "Captain's log, Stardate 5048.5  I am leading a landing party,
accompanied by the Sailor Scouts, in an effort to recover the stolen
crystals. We must accomplish this before Beryl can use them to release
 the Negaforce."

     Seven pillars of light, a mix of orange and blue instead of the
usual red and orange, illuminated a deserted corridor.  After
materializing, the security detail readied their phaser rifles while
Spock scanned the area.  Seeing the area was secure for the moment,
Kirk pulled out his communicator.  "Kirk to Enterprise.  The area is
secure.  Send the rest of them in."  Six more energy columns appeared,
 resolving into the forms of the Sailor Scouts and Doctor McCoy.
     McCoy shivered after the materialization process was complete.
"And I thought a normal trip through the transporter was bad."
     "Really?" remarked Sailor Moon.  "I kind of liked it."
McCoy shot her a pained look.
     Kirk grinned slightly and opened his communicator again.
"Landing party down safe, Uhura.  We'll maintain communications
silence until the mission is accomplished."
     "Yes, sir.  Enter..." Uhura's voice trailed off.  "Sir, Mr.
Scott needs to speak with you."
     "Very well, Lieutenant.  Kirk out."  He adjusted a control on
his communicator.  "Kirk to Galileo.  What's wrong, Scotty?"
     "We've got a power supply problem, sir.  When the transporter
beam went through the field, it caused a massive power drain, worse
than I expected.  The Galileo's reserves were almost drained.  I dinnae
 know if there'll be enough for when ye want to beam out."
     "Understood.  Kirk out."  He looked over at Spock.  "Tricorder
readings, Mr. Spock?"
     "There is substantial interference in the area, Captain," he
reported.  The Vulcan was still busy scanning the area with his
tricorder, while Sailor Mercury had been doing likewise with her
computer since she beamed in.  "Tricorder range is extremely limited.
I am unable to locate the crystals."
     Mercury looked up from her scanning. "I've found them!
Approximately five hundred meters in that direction."  She pointed up
the tunnel.
     "All right!" said Jupiter.  "Let's go!"
     "Commander Giotto, you heard the lady."
     "Yes sir,"  stated the security chief.  Turning to his team,
"Advance pattern alpha.  Anderson, you've got point."  One of the
security detail nodded and went to the head of the formation.  The
group walked slowly down the tunnel, silent save for the sound of the
tricorders scanning the area.  Eventually they came to a point were
the tunnel open up into a large cavern.  Anderson moved into the
cavern cautiously.  He turned to face a sudden rustling noise behind
him.  "Captain, look ..." he began, but his warning cry ended in a
strangled shriek.
     One of the other guards fired his phaser at the youma standing
over Anderson, and it vanished in a haze of red light.  More youma
came charging out into the cavern and rushed the landing party,
threatening to overwhelm them.
     Mercury jumped into action.  "MERCURY BUBBLES... BLAST!"
     A thick fog formed in the area, causing the charging youma to
hesitate, confused.  Somehow, the security detail was still able to
pick out their targets.  The phasers rifles fired in unison and
several of the youma vanished.
     A few were able to withstand phaser energy.  Having shaken off
the fog-induced confusion, they charged among the security guards.
     Then the Scouts joined the action.
     "VENUS CRESCENT BEAM... SMASH!"
     "JUPITER THUNDER... CRASH!"
     "MARS FIRE... IGNITE!"
     As they had in the engineering room, the Scouts' attacks ripped
through the onrushing youma, leaving only one left.  It jumped Giotto
and brandished it's claws, ready to disembowel him.  Several of the
guards fired at it in a desperate attempt to save the security chief,
but to no avail.
     "MOON TIARA... MAGIC!"  Sailor Moon's tiara tore the youma in
half, leaving only a pile of dust atop the security chief.  She helped
him to his feet.  "You okay?"
     "I am now.  Thanks."
     "Hey, not a problem." she replied.  Giotto retrieved his phaser
rifle and moved into the cavern.
     McCoy examined Anderson briefly and shook his head sadly.  There
wasn't anything he could do for the guard.
     "So much for the element of surprise," muttered Kirk.  He looked
around at the multiple exits.  "Which way?"
     After a brief moment of scanning, both Spock and Mercury said
"This way," indicating one of the rear exits.  The landing party
reformed and continued on their way.

     The cats looked out from the shuttle onto the ruins of the Moon
Kingdom.  "It hasn't changed much since the last time we were here,"
Artemis observed.
     Luna nodded in silent agreement.  After a time, she turned away
from the window.  "I prefer to remember it the way it was before."
     "I'm afraid those days are gone, Luna."
     "I know.  But perhaps they can be once again, if only in another
form."  She jumped down from the console, and headed for the rear of
the small ship.  "But first we must deal with Beryl.  How are things
here, Mr. Scott?"
     "We've managed to get the reserves back up. I just hope there
enough left in these bairns to get them back out."  The engineer paused
to make an adjustment.  "Baker, keep an eye on the power flow."  The
other engineer nodded.

     Malachite materialized in the chamber containing the crystal
apparatus.  "Is everything in readiness, Prince Darien?"
     "Yes.  The crystals are in place.  All we need now is a modest
amount of energy to channel through them, and the Negaforce will be
released."
     "Excellent."

     "There they are," stated Sailor Mercury.
     The landing party had stopped at the entrance of a large cavern,
staying low behind whatever cover they could find.  In the center stood
a large, almost organic looking device.  Mounted inside it were the
stolen crystals, arranged linearly.
     Kirk frowned.  Also inside were Malachite and Darien.  And who
knew how many youma were nearby.  They headed back a bit.  "This isn't
going to be easy," Venus observed quietly.
     Spock concentrated for a moment.  "I would estimate the odd of our
success as approximately five thousand two hundred forty seven point
six to one against," he said, drawing several incredulous stares from
the Scouts.
     "That's what I like about you, Spock.  You're always the optimist,"
 McCoy retorted.
     "Still Bones, it's better odds than we had on Organia."
     "I was well aware of the capabilities of our opposition there,
Captain.  I'm afraid that my estimate of Malachite's abilities may be
somewhat of an underestimate."
     "Oh."
     "Excuse me, but can we get back to business?" Mars snapped.
     "She's right, sir," Giotto said.  "Whatever we're going to do, I
don't recommend a frontal assault."
     "Agreed,"  Kirk replied.  "We haven't got time for anything fancy,
so here's the plan:   Spock and I will work our way through these
tunnels and try and find way to one of those other entrances.  Give us
fifteen minutes, then create a diversion.  With luck, we'll be able to
get the crystals and then beam right out of here."
     Giotto nodded, but Sailor Mars muttered,  "Oh, that sounds like a
*great* plan."  Her tone indicated that she thought it was anything but.
     "Have you got a better idea?" McCoy retorted.
     "Yeah.  One of us should go with them."
     Venus nodded, "You know what they say: Two's comfortable but
three's company."
     "Mars' idea makes sense to me," Jupiter added, ignoring the
latest misquote.  "After all, what if you run into a phaserproof youma?"
     "It's only logical," said Mercury.
     "You've been around Spock too long."
     "Bones..."
     "Mars is right," Sailor Moon said, drawing several surprised
looks from the others.  "And I'm the one who should go."
     Mars was about to object vehemently, but Spock spoke up first.
"She is correct.  In their recent battles with Malachite, Sailor Moon
is the only one who has demonstrated the power to face him one on one.
Since the mission of those who stay behind is merely to provide a
distraction, it is logical for the most powerful member of your team
to accompany us."  The hot tempered Scout subsided, but still looked
unhappy.
     "Let's go, then."  The three of them moved off and the others
waited quietly.  Ten minutes after they left, several youma entered
the chamber and began moving the apparatus under Malachite's direction.
     "Where are they taking it?" Jupiter asked.
     "It doesn't matter," Giotto replied.  "If they move it, the
Captain won't be able to get the crystals.  We'll have to attack now."

     "Excellent," gloated Malachite.  "Soon the Negaforce will be
released."
     "Not in your lifetime, negatrash!"
     Malachite spun around. "Who...?"
     The Sailor Scouts stood by the entrance.  "You should know us by
now, Malachite!  Those crystals don't belong to you!  In the name of
the Venus..."
     "...in the name of Mercury..."
     "...in the name of Mars..."
     "...and in the name of Jupiter..."
     "...we'll punish you!"  they concluded simultaneously.  A keen
observer would have heard the slight groan that come from beyond the
entrance.
     Malachite was utterly dumbfounded.  "Impossible!  You can't all
be here!  Obsidian should have injured you badly enough that you
couldn't interfere!"
     "Another one of your 'brilliant successes', Malachite?" quipped
Darien.
     "It doesn't matter," snarled Malachite.  "You were fools to enter
the heart of our domain alone, Sailor Scouts!  Especially without your
precious leader!"  He motioned the youma carrying the crystal
apparatus.  "Destroy them!"
     The youma charged the Scouts, only to be met by five phaser
beams.  Giotto shifted his aim from a now vaporized youma to Malachite.
"They didn't come here alone."

     "Are you sure you know were you're going?" Sailor Moon asked.
     "Yes," Spock responded.  "Tricorder range may be limited, but is
sufficient to map out the immediate area.  The entrance we want should
be just around the bend."
     When they rounded the curve Spock indicated, they bumped into a
rather large youma that was carrying an equally large crystal.  They
gaped at each other for a moment, then the youma charged.  Kirk fired
his phaser, but it had much the same effect as when he fired on
Obsidian.  Which is to say, none.
     Sailor Moon reacted instinctively.   "MOON TIARA... MAGIC!"
    Spock bent down to examine the crystal that lay amid the dusted
remains of the youma.  "Interesting.  This appears to be some form of
storage device for bioenergy."
     "You mean that's the energy they collected?" Sailor Moon asked.
Spock nodded.
     "Well, this should put a crimp in their plans."  Kirk motioned
for them to get back and aimed his phaser at the storage crystal.
He fired and it vanished in a bright flash that was followed closely
by  the whine of more phasers being fired.  "They're early," muttered
Kirk.
     "Commander Giotto is normally quite punctual," Spock noted.  "The
situation must have changed."  The two officers and the Sailor Scout
ran into the room.

     Malachite watched the display of weapons fire from behind his
force wall.  "Very impressive," he said.  "But ultimately useless."
The guards hurriedly dodged the energy bolt he sent at them.

     They arrived at the crystals.  Sailor Moon glanced at the ongoing
battle.  "Hurry!  I don't know how long the others can handle Malachite."
     Imperturbable as always, the Vulcan merely nodded.  "We need only
two point three minutes to remove the crystals.  Then we will be ready
to beam out."

     "MARS FIRE...IGNITE!"
     Mars' fireball splashed off Malachite's forcefield.  He sent a
blast of energy her way, knocking her off her feet.  A security guard
rushed out to pull her into cover.
     By this point, the youma had been vaporized, dusted, electrified
or otherwise disposed of.  Disposing of Malachite was proving to be
another matter.  Giotto and his men kept firing, trying to distract
Malachite from the Scouts as much as possible.
     Darien watched the battle.  'Strange,' he thought.  'they don't
seem to be trying to get to...' He glanced back at the crystals.
'...aha!  Very clever Captain.'

     "Last one," said Kirk.  He moved towards the last crystal.  As he
reached for it, a black blur cut across the back of his hand.  He
recoiled instinctively, looking at the black rose imbedded in the wall.
     "I don't think so, Captain Kirk."  Startled, they turned to face
a masked man in a tuxedo, complete with cape, cane and top hat.
     "Who are you?"
     "Tuxedo Mask!"
     "At your service," he answered, brandishing another black rose.
"And you're not getting those crystals, Captain."

     "What does it take to get to this guy?" muttered Giotto.  One of
his men was down, with McCoy tending to his injuries.  The remainder
of his squad was maintaining a near constant barrage against Malachite,
as were the Scouts.  So far, all their attacks just bounced off his
force field.
     "VENUS CRESCENT BEAM..."
     "JUPITER THUNDER...."
     "...SMASH!"
     "...CRASH!"
     The combined attack seemed ineffective once again, but Giotto
could swear he saw several beads of seat on Malachite's forehead.
Perhaps they where finally beginning to were him down.  He aimed his
phaser rifle and pulled the trigger.
     The tip of the rifle glowed slightly, but there was no other
reaction.  The charge in the power pack was exhausted.  He moved
quickly to change it out for a fresh one.

     Kirk drew his phaser.  "Get that last crystal, Spock.  I'll try
to hold him off."
     "Be careful, Captain," Spock advised.  "Tuxedo Mask is another
alias for Prince Darien, and was an erstwhile allay of the Sailor
Scouts before he was recently coopted by the Negaverse.  He has
abilities akin to the Scouts."
     "Your pointy-eared friend is right." Tuxedo Mask smiled and threw
the rose,  impaling it on the phaser.  "Give it up, Kirk.  You haven't
got a chance against me."
     Kirk threw the ruined weapon at Tuxedo Mask and charged.

     Malachite flung his arms wide, unleashing a wave of energy.
Giotto felt a wave of nausea as it washed over his position.  He
snapped back up again and quickly evaluated the situation.  Not good.
Besides himself, only one other security man was still up.  The third
had been injured in the last blast, McCoy moving to tend to his
injuries.  The Scouts were knocked down, but were slowly getting back
up.

     Kirk hit the ground hard.  He got to his feet slowly, trying to
catch his breath.  Tuxedo Mask was a lot stronger than he looked, and
he was fast.
     "Stay out of my way, Kirk.  I don't want to have to hurt you, but
I will if I have to.  You're not getting those crystals."  He turn to
face Spock.
     'Big mistake.' Kirk grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him
around.  He punched him in the jaw with a right cross, followed by a
left to his stomach.  The two punch combination would have stunned even
a Vulcan for a few seconds.
     Not Tuxedo Mask, apparently.  He snarled and lashed out with his
cane, striking Kirk across his face.  Again, he fell to the ground,
stunned.  'Maybe not such a big mistake.'
     Tuxedo Mask brandished another black rose.  "Enough!  Stay down
and out of my way, Captain Kirk, or die!  You can't possibly win."
     Kirk struggled to get to his feet.  "I've... heard that line...
from tougher people... than you."  Admittedly the person Kirk was
thinking of was a Gorn, but it was true, nonetheless.
     "Have it your way."  He got ready to throw the rose.
     Sailor Moon interposed herself between the two men.  "Darien,
wait!"

     Giotto and the other guard fired at Malachite.  He sneered at
their efforts.  "How utterly pathetic."  He raised his hand, preparing
to fire a concentrated burst of energy at Giotto.  The force field
fell for the split second necessary...
     "VENUS CRESCENT BEAM... SMASH!"
     The beam of light caught Malachite squarely.  He had managed to
erect his forcefield enough to deflect some of the blast, but enough
got through to hurt him.

     "Darien, you don't want to do this,"  pleaded Sailor Moon.  "Try
to remember who you are.  Beryl couldn't have completely erased your
memories."  Tuxedo Mask stared silently at her. "You've helped us a
lot fighting the Negaverse."
     Kirk watched the interplay between the two of them as he
attempted to catch his breath.  Amazingly, her words -- imploring him
to remember who and what he had been -- seemed to have some affect on
Tuxedo Mask.  His face was strained, as if some internal struggle was
going on, that some memory buried deep in his subconscious was trying
to surface.
     Finally, he said "Enough."  He flung the rose in her direction,
embedding its in the cavern floor.  "I'll let them go with their
crystals, and your friends too, Sailor Moon... if you give me the
Silver Crystal."  She hesitated.
     "No."  Kirk spoke up.  "You don't have any right to the dilithium
crystals... or the Silver Crystal, either.  We're leaving here with
them."
     "As if you can get by us," replied Tuxedo Mask.  "Look around,
Kirk.  Most of your men here are injured.  And you certainly aren't
getting past me."  A hand grasped his shoulder at the base of the neck
and squeezed.  Darien's eyes rolled up and he fell unconscious.
     "As ever, Mr. Spock, your timing is impeccable."  Spock looked at
his captain, raising an eyebrow.
     "Darien!"  Sailor Moon raced to his side.
     "He is undamaged," Spock reassured her.  "The Vulcan Nerve Pinch
is a non-lethal method of subduing a foe.  He will recover shortly.
Captain, since we have the crystals, I suggest we withdraw to the
Enterprise."
     "Agreed.  Kirk to Enterprise."
     "Enterprise, Lieutenant Uhura."
     "Mission accomplished.  Tell Chief Kyle to get us out of here."

     Giotto continued firing, as did the remaining guard.  Mars and
Jupiter were back on their feet and alternated with Venus in launching
their attacks on Malachite.  Every now and then Mercury obscured the
area with fog.  The 'run and shoot' mode prevented Malachite from
getting a solid shot on them, but his forcefield was still powerful
enough that he hadn't been hurt seriously either.  At best it was a
stalemate.
     His communicator chose that moment to beep. "Giotto here."
     "Uhura here.  Stand by for beam out."
     "Right Lieutenant," he answered.  "Standing by."  He maneuvered
himself over to Sailor Mercury's position.  She had her visor deployed,
trying to find some weakness in Malachite's shield.  "We're pulling
out.  Think you could arrange for some cover for us?"
     Mercury nodded.  "Yes." She stood up and summoned her power.
"MERCURY BUBBLES... BLAST!"
     Malachite peered through the dense fog.  'Where were they?'
Typically, the Scouts would use this cover to launch an attack of some
type, but the area was strangely silent except for a humming noise
that repeated itself several times.  As suddenly as it appeared, the
fog bank lifted.
     His eyes widened as he scanned the cavern.  They were gone!

     The lights in the shuttle flickered and the low hum from the
engines began to fade.  Scotty raced over to examine the subspace
field readouts and uttered several gaelic curses.  "The power drain
has become critical.  We cannae maintain the field."  He snapped open
his communicator.  "Scott to Kyle.  Did ye get them all out?"
     "No sir.  The subspace field density dropped just as we were
about to beam the last batch out," Kyle replied.  "The corridor isn't
wide enough to get a positive lock on the captain and the others."
     "What happened?" Artemis asked.
     "In generating the field, we've drained the shuttle's engines
dry.  What power we've got left is coming from the batteries."  Unless
he could come up with some sort of solution, and quickly, the Captain,
Mr. Spock and Sailor Moon were trapped in the Negaverse.
     "We need more energy to increase the field integrity?" asked Luna.
     "Aye.  But the engines havnae any power left."  He looked down at
the black cat.  "Unless ye happen to have a power generator hidden
somewhere."
     "Would a large surge of electricity do the trick?" Jupiter asked
over the communicator.
     "Aye, it could.  But what...?"
     "That's it!" cried Artemis.  "Beam Jupiter down here!"
     "Sir?"  Chief Kyle sounded confused.
     Scotty looked at Artemis, puzzlement clear on his face.  Then his
expression brightened.  "Ye heard the cat, Mr. Kyle," Scotty answered
the chief.  "Beam Jupiter to the Galileo."

     "We're working on a solution, Captain, but it's going to be a few
minutes before we can give it a try."
     "I suggest you hurry, Scotty.  Kirk out."  He snapped his
communicator closed and looked at his two companions.  "We better find
a hiding place until Mr. Scott can perform his miracle."
     "We can't leave Darien behind," said Sailor Moon.
     Kirk nodded.  "We'll bring him along.  But we better get out of
here, quickly."  Before either he or Spock could pick up Darien, a
force field of black energy enveloped him.
     "I don't think so, Kirk!" roared Malachite.
     "Run!" said Kirk.  They headed for cover just before a bolt of
black energy swept over their location.  As they raced for an exit,
Kirk paused long enough to scoop up his ruined phaser.  It may not be
able to fire, but if the power cell wasn't damaged it still could do
one thing...  He twisted the controls to maximum and a whine came from
the weapon, slowly rising in pitch.  He turned and tossed it to
Malachite.  "Catch!" he yelled, then ran down the tunnel as fast as he
could.  When he judged it to be the correct time, he yelled "Down!"
to Spock.  Grabbing Sailor Moon, he headed for cover himself.

     Malachite glanced down at the phaser where it lay on the ground.
Did that fool think that throwing this would hurt him?  Still, the
noise from it was becoming very high pitched... and loud.

     "What's going on..." she began to ask when there was a massive
flash of an explosion from behind them.  The cavern shook as the
tunnel collapsed behind them.
     "Darien!"
     "I'm sure he's fine," Kirk reassured her, hoping that was indeed
the case.  "Remember, he was enclosed in one of Malachite's force
fields."
     When the dust settled, they got up and looked back at the now
impenetrable tunnel.  "That should slow down any pursuit," Kirk said
with satisfaction.
     "Not entirely, Captain," Spock answered.  "We have seen that some
of the entities here have the ability to teleport.  I suggest that we
expedite our departure from our current position as rapidly as possible."
     Sailor Moon looked puzzled. "Would you mind repeating that in
english?"
     "He said run," Kirk translated.
     They ran.

     Malachite growled in anger.  Those vermin from the starship and
their sailor brat allies were becoming annoying.  He had just managed
to teleport himself and the fool Darien out of harms way before the
explosion.  It was a good thing too, for he wasn't sure he could have
handled a blast that large.
     How he was going to make Kirk pay for the indignity...

     Scotty worked hurriedly to rewire the power systems of the
shuttle's engines to accept a direct power feed from Sailor Jupiter.
From there it would channel directly into the subspace field generator,
hopefully without overloading.
     "Hurry," urged Luna.
     "I'm going as fast as I can, lass.  We're only going to get one
shot at this.  If it doesnae work the first time, the engines and the
field generator will be just so much scrap metal.  And then we'll
never get the Captain or the others back."

     Kirk and Spock raced through the tunnels of the Negaverse,
trailing Sailor Moon.  They hurried along the tunnel, until it stopped.
     "Dead end," said Kirk.
     "Did you have to phrase it like that?" asked Sailor Moon.  They
stopped for a moment and listened for sounds of pursuit. Nothing.
     Spock glanced at his tricorder.  "I detect no signs of pursuit."
     "Does that mean nobody's after us?" asked Sailor Moon.  She
hardly appeared to be winded.
     Kirk nodded, breathing heavily.  "I think... we lost them."
     "Don't be too sure of that, Kirk!"  Malachite appeared nearby.
He fired a quick energy blast that knocked Spock's phaser from his
hand, leaving it smoking on the ground.  "I'll take those crystals
back now.  And thank you for delivering the Silver Crystal here."

     "Ready," announced Scotty.  He nodded at Sailor Jupiter.
     Lita concentrated, feeling the power building up within her.  She
was battered, bruised and exhausted from the recent battle, but she was
determined to succeed.  Too much depended on her for her to fail.  Kirk,
Spock, all the people on the Enterprise... but most of all, Serena
depended on her right now.
     And there was no way she was going to fail her.
     Not now... not ever.
     She felt the power yearning for release and strained against it.
Even so, some of it managed to leak through, manifesting as sparks
coruscating along her hands.  She gritted her teeth against the pain,
trying to force the energy level up as high as she had ever done.
Finally she unleashed the energy with a loud cry.
     Alarms came from half a dozen systems as a sudden burst of energy
surged through the Galileo.  "Now, Mr. Kyle!" urged the chief engineer.
     "I've got a transporter lock!" the chief replied.  "Energizing."
Sparks began to fly from several of the consoles.

     "You're not getting those crystals, Malachite!" exclaimed Sailor
Moon.  She moved in front of the starfleet officers, Crescent Moon
Wand in hand.  "Or the Silver Crystal, either!  In the name of the
Moon, I'll punish you!"
     Kirk was astonished at the amazing change in her demeanor.  One
minute she was leading the way in running out of here, the next she
was brazenly challenging a being that had singlehandedly held off the
combined forces of the Sailor Scouts and a heavily armed Starfleet
security detachment.  And the really odd thing was that he thought she
could do it, too.
     Malachite seemed less than impressed.  "We'll see about that
Sailor Moon!" he said, throwing an energy bolt at the three.
     It never arrived.  At Sailor Moon's mental command, the Silver
Crystal pulsed and unleashed an energy bolt of it's own that met
Malachite's head on.  The was a brief flash as the light and dark
energies canceled each other out.
     Then a low humming noise filled the tunnel.  An orange-blue
light enveloped Sailor Moon and the two Starfleet officers and they
vanished.
     "They're gone!  And with the crystals too!"  Malachite's eyes
narrowed.
"Queen Beryl isn't going to be pleased about this!" he muttered.

     "Good work, Scotty," Kirk's voice came from the communicator.
     "A little too good, sir," replied Scotty.  He waved at the smoke
filling the room, trying without much success to clear the air.  Baker
was busy with a fire extinguisher on the small fires that had erupted
from several of the panels.  "Jupiter's energy discharge fried half the
systems in the shuttle.  It'd be a while before it would be ready to
take off, even if the fuel reserves weren't exhausted."
      Jupiter staggered while trying to her feet.  The recoil from the
blast had thrown her to the floor and the strong use of her powers had
left her feeling weak as well.  "Er, sorry about that."
     The engineer shook his head as he helped her up.  "Don't be,
lass.  Ye did what ye had to get our people out of there."  He surveyed
the smokey interior.  "All this can be replaced, but their lives
cannae.  Ye did a damned fine job."

     "Escaped?!?  With the crystals??  How did this happen, Malachite?"
Beryl snarled menacingly.
     Involuntarily, Malachite shivered.  Beryl was in one of those moods.

"The crew from the starship sent a raiding party to steal the crystal
from us, my queen.  They were accompanied by the Sailor Scouts."
     Beryl was beside herself.  "How did they manage to get here?"
     "I'm not sure, my queen.  We knew that the starship had matter
transmission capabilities, but I had believed that piercing the
dimensional barrier was beyond them.  Apparently they have formed an
alliance with the Scouts."  Malachite paused for a moment, staring into
space.  "My queen, I can detect the ship again.  I could go there and
get the crystals back."
     Beryl leaned back in her throne, considering.  "No.  I have a
better idea."

     Jupiter looked up as the shuttle began to shake.  "What is that,
an earthquake?"
     "I don't know, lass."
     Luna and Artemis felt the fur on the back of their necks rise.
"Something's dreadfully wrong!" Luna exclaimed.  "We have to get out
of here, now!"

     The intercom whistled insistently.  "Captain," said Chekov,
"sensors are picking up a large dimensional distortion forming right
on top of the shuttle!"
     Kirk looked questioningly over at his science officer.  "Spock?"
     Spock activated the auxiliary viewer and glanced at the readouts.
"Something is emerging from a pocket of subspace."
     "Mr. Kyle, get our people out of there!"

     The space above the shuttle seemed to shimmer, and an odd ship
appeared.  It was much larger than the Federation starship, black as
night and looked something like a mutated sea urchin.  It quivered as
if alive, then a bright beam came from it and neatly cut the shuttle
in two.

     "LITA!" screamed Sailor Moon upon seeing the shuttle destroyed.
The other scouts looked on, horrified.
     "Chief, did you...?"
     Kyle nodded.  "Yes sir."  He smoothly brought down the levers for
the final activation sequence.  "They're materializing now."  On cue,
the shuttle crew appeared on the transporter pads.  The scouts
clustered around Jupiter, welcoming her back.  Luna and Artemis
squirmed in the bearhugs they were getting from Sailor Moon and Sailor
Venus.   Scotty and Baker skirted the celebration and stepped off the
platform.
     "Welcome back, Scotty."
     "Thank you, sir," Scotty said.  "That was a wee bit too close for
comfort."
     "Captain," said Spock over the din of the Scouts celebration.
"The alien craft is approaching rapidly."
     Luna struggled in Sailor Moon's grip to get a better look at the
screen.  She gasped when she saw the creature.  "Oh no..."
     "Do you know what that is?"
     "We've seen them before," Artemis answered.  "We don't know who
they are or where they cam from, but they helped Beryl in her attack
on the Moon Kingdom.  I think it's safe to assume it's hostile."
     "We'll recloak and..."
     "I don't recommend that, Captain.  Activating the cloak will
preclude the use of shields.  And at the rate the creature is
approaching, it will be in weapons range before we can fully cloak."
     "Then let's do the next best thing:  Get the hell out of here."
Kirk snapped on the intercom.  "Kirk to bridge.  Raise shields and
proceed out of orbit at warp factor one."

     The Enterprise turned from the dark ship, accelerating towards
the speed of light.  The shadowy vessel almost seemed to scream, and
another beam of energy sliced through space, striking the starship's
shields as it entered warp.

     The ship shook slightly when the shields were hit, then pitched
more violently and the lights flickered.
     "What was that?" asked Sailor Venus.
    Scotty swore softly.  "The dilithium crystal just blew!  We won't
be able to use the warp drive now!"
     Kirk handed Scotty the bag containing the other four crystals.
"Scotty get these installed fast!"
     "It will take at least ten minutes..." the scotsman began.
     "You have five. Go!"  Kirk watched the approaching ship on the
viewer, then activated the shipwide intercom.  "This is the captain.
Red alert!  All hands to battle stations!"

Next Time:  They've managed to regain the dilithium crystals, but it
may prove a Pyrrhic victory as the Enterprise is nearly helpless in
the face of an attack by a powerful ally of the Negaverse.
     Tune in for part 6: "Moon Cosmic Power!"

Bill Harris
"I don't do Windows... 95 or otherwise!"
Sci-Fi quote of the month:
"We do not commit mindless violence!" - Cmdr Koenig, "Space:1999"

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Sailor Trek

Chapter 6 -  Cosmic Moon Power!
     "Captain's log, supplemental.  We've managed to recover the 
dilithium crystals with minimal casualties.  Unfortunately, the ship 
is now under attack and we are unable to use the warp engines."

     The red alert klaxon started blaring while Uhura's voice echoed 
through the ship, "Red alert!  All hands man your battle stations!  
This is not a drill. I say again, this is NOT a drill!"
     The Scouts followed Kirk and Spock as they sprinted for the 
turbolift.  "Bridge."  The doors closed, and they heard the distinctive 
hum of the turbolift in operation.  Kirk snapped the intercom.  "Kirk 
to bridge."
     "Sulu here, Captain."
     "Status report, Mr. Sulu."
     "The alien has closed to forty thousand kilometers, but it hasn't 
fired again," the helmsman began.
     "Probably trying to close the gap before it does so," Kirk 
speculated softly.  Spock nodded.  It seemed a logical conclusion.
     Sulu continued, "Warp drive is offline, but the impulse engines 
are at full power."
     "Very well, Sulu.  Maintain distance as best you can," Kirk 
ordered.  "Kirk out."  He glanced over at his science officer.  "What 
the hell is that thing?"
     "It's a spacecraft of sorts that appears to utilize some form of 
organic technology."  Kirk looked up in surprise.  The answer hadn't 
come from the Vulcan, but from Mercury instead.  Still, he really 
shouldn't have been all that surprised.  Reading from her palmtop 
she continued, "It's nearly four times the size of this ship and 
it's power levels are comparably higher to the earlier readings 
I took of the Enterprise."
     Spock nodded.  "That seems to be a reasonable analysis.  I take 
it you are accessing the sensors through the interface linkup?"
     "Yes.  It seemed reasonable to keep it going until this is all 
over."
     Kirk decided to let that go for now.  Of more immediate concern 
was the present tactical situation.  Which didn't look good for the 
Enterprise at the moment.  ""Can you make some estimate on it's 
firepower potential?"
     She frowned and hit several keys.  "Based on it's earlier firing 
on us, I'd say it's firepower is greater than the Enterprise's.  But 
I'm not detecting anything like your deflector shields."
     Kirk grimaced.  "Well, at least we have some advantages.  Let's 
hope it buys us enough time for Scotty to get the crystals back in."

     Beryl watched the ship in her crystal ball as it approached the 
Enterprise.  She cackled with obvious pleasure.  "Soon those wretched 
Sailor Scouts will be out of my way... forever!  And the Silver Crystal 
will be mine!"
     "Do you think it's wise to use the shadow vessel to attack the 
starship, my queen?" Malachite asked reluctantly.  "After so many 
centuries isolated, the youma controlling it may be insane and 
uncontrollable.  The Silver Crystal could be destroyed."
     She shook off his concerns.  "Nonsense, Malachite.  I have total 
control over it.  We'll batter down their defenses and then offer to 
let them go if they turn over the Silver Crystal to us.  They'll have 
no choice but to comply."
     "And the ship will destroy them after we have the Silver Crystal?"
     "Of course.  A simple, direct plan." She looked pointedly at 
Malachite.  "Much better than any you ever thought up."  Malachite 
glowered, but did not dare reply.

     The lift doors opened to the bridge.  Kirk practically leapt from 
the turbolift to his command chair.  Spock made his way to the science 
station, while the Scout gathered together in the rear of the bridge.  
"Report, Mr. Sulu."
     "The alien ship has closed to twenty thousand kilometers.  Shields 
are up, and we're proceeding at full impulse."  Sulu glanced into his 
viewer and shook his head.  "It's still closing."
     "Continue evasive maneuvers.  Phaser status?"
     "Phaser stand ready, sir," Chekov answered.  He faced the captain 
with a sorrowful expression, "but only at thirty three percent of 
maximum."
     'Wonderful,' thought Kirk.
     The shadowy ship fired an energy beam that swung around and struck 
the ship amidships.  The deck pitched under the force of the impact.  
Having been through this many times before, the crew were able to hold
themselves in place.  In the rear of the bridge, the Scouts tumbled 
over each other.  "Get off of me, Serena!" a low voice hissed.
     "It's not me!"
     "Shields holding, Captain, but weakening," Spock said over the 
commotion.  "Now at eighty percent."
     "Mr. Sulu, lock phasers on target," ordered Kirk.
     Sulu worked the phaser controls.  "Phasers locked."
     "Fire!"  The red energy beams lanced out from the ship, striking 
the enemy vessel.  It writhed as if in pain, but then came at the ship 
again.
     "Direct hit," reported Spock.  "Sensors detect no discernable 
damage to the alien.  It absorbed the phaser energy by dissipating it 
throughout itself."
     "Could it do the same with a photon torpedo blast?"
     "Unknown."
     Kirk tightened his jaw.  "Then let's find out.  Mr. Chekov, ready 
photon torpedoes, minimum possible spread."  The ship trembled again 
from another direct hit.
     Spock looked up from his viewer.  "Shields are down to forty 
seven percent.  They cannot handle another hit."
     "Torpedoes ready, Keptin," reported Chekov.
     Kirk took a deep breath.  "Fire!"
     The ship bucked slightly as three photon torpedoes discharged 
from the firing tubes.  Two hit the alien ship and the remaining one 
exploded on a proximity blast.
     "Got him!" exclaimed Chekov.  His glee was short lived however, 
for the alien emerged from the glare from the torpedo explosions 
apparently unharmed.
     "Minimal effect," Spock confirmed.  "It was able to absorb the photon 
energy as well.  It would seem that our weapons are only marginally 
effective against it, even if we had full power available."
     Kirk stabbed at the intercom.  "Scotty, I could use some good 
news about now."

     Scotty gave the communicator an exasperated look.  Why was it 
that he always had to rush his repairs?  "I've almost got them 
installed," he replied.  "I only need a few more minutes."
     "We don't have a few minutes!" Kirk exclaimed.  The ship rocked 
again, more violently than before.

     "Shields have failed,"  reported Spock.
     "I'm getting damage reports in from several decks," said Uhura.  
"Damage control teams are on the way."
     Kirk watched the alien ship turn to gather itself for another 
attack on the Enterprise.  Without the shields, this one would surely 
destroy the ship.  Then, inexplicably, it stopped, hovering a constant 
distance from the ship.  "What the hell?"
     "What's it doing?" Sailor Moon asked.  "Why's it just sitting 
there?"
     "Unknown," Spock replied.  He was obviously just as mystified as 
they were.
     Uhura touched her earpiece, listening intently to it.  "Captain, 
we're being hailed."
     "Hailed? By who?"
     "He identified himself as Malachite, sir."
     "What does he want?" Jupiter asked.
     "At a guess, I'd say this," Sailor Moon replied, hefting the 
Crescent Moon Wand.
     Kirk nodded.  "On screen." 
     The screen wavered, and the image of the Negaverse general 
appeared on the screen.  Luna hissed, and the scouts glared at him.  
"We meet again, Captain Kirk."
     Kirk saw no need to engage in pleasantries with him.  "Why have 
you attacked my ship, Malachite?"
     "You need to ask?  You invaded our kingdom and stole several 
objects from here."
     "We recovered that which was rightfully ours," Kirk snapped.
     "I'm not going to debate semantics, not when your precious 
dilithium is no longer an object of desire for us, Captain.  But the 
Silver Crystal is.  Turn it, and the Sailor Scouts over to me, and 
I'll spare your ship and crew."
     "Forget it, Malachite!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.  "You're not getting 
my Crystal!"
     "It's not your decision, Sailor brat," the Negaverse general 
sneered.
     "As if!"
     Kirk tried to look thoughtful.  "How do I know you'll keep your 
word?"  
     Sailor Moon's jaw dropped.  "What?!?"  The tone in her voice 
caused him to wince internally, but he force himself not to look back.  
He had to play out this bluff as far as he could if he was going to 
give Scotty enough time to work his usual brand of engineering magic.  
Behind him, the other Scouts looked uncertain, except for Mars.  She 
simply stared intently at him, eyes narrowed.
     The smugness on Malachite's face was unbelievable.  "You really 
have no choice, do you?  Your shields are gone, your ship defenseless 
and your pitiful weapons are no match for our ship!  Surrender the 
Scouts to me!  NOW!"
     Kirk put on his best poker face, trying to look reasonable.  
"Allow me a few minutes to consult with my senior officers."
     "You have sixty seconds, no more!"  The screen shimmered and 
went blank.

     The Scouts watched a grim faced Kirk move over and start talking 
with Spock.  "He's not going to give Malachite what he wants," Mars 
commented quietly. "He's just trying to buy time."  The others nodded, 
understanding now.
     Sailor Moon's face shifted from shock to realization.  "Oh, yeah.  
I knew that."  Mars bit back the automatic retort, but glared at her 
nevertheless.
     "Even if Mr. Scott manages to get the warp engines back online, 
the Enterprise won't last long against that ship with the shields 
down," Mercury observed.
     "There's got to be something we can do!" Jupiter said.
     "There is," Artemis answered her, "I've got an idea."
     "Better late than clever."
     "Just listen..."

     Kirk moved back to his command chair.  Behind him he could hear 
Luna and Artemis talking hurriedly to the Scouts, but he didn't have 
the time to find out what they were saying.  He activated the intercom 
to engineering again.  "Scotty, now would be a good time to tell me 
you're finished."
     "Very nearly, sir!  I only need another minute or two!"
     Kirk nodded.  This was going to be another close call.  Perhaps 
too close this time.  "Lock phasers and stand by torpedoes, 
simultaneous barrage," he ordered quietly.  The helmsman and navigator 
acknowledged the order just as quietly.
     Uhura winced.  "Malachite is demanding to speak to you, Captain.  
Rather loudly."
     Kirk grimaced.  Why did the bad guys always have to be so 
punctual?  "Very well, Lieutenant.  Open channel."
     Malachite's image reappeared on the screen.  "Well, captain?  
Your time is up.  What's your answer?"
     "My answer?"  Kirk saw no reason to continue the bluff.  It was 
all or nothing now.  Either Scotty would be finished in time or he 
wouldn't.  "You've attacked this ship without reason or provocation.  
You and your agents have boarded my ship; have assaulted and killed 
members of my crew.  And you have the unmitigated gall to demand that 
I turn these girls over to you?"  He stood up and took a step towards 
the screen.  "My reply is this: Go to hell!"
     "You'll regret this, Kirk!" Malachite snarled, and the screen 
flickered to show the black ship again. 
     "Stand by to --"
     "It's firing!" Spock interrupted.  Kirk watched the energy beam 
that would surely destroy the ship slue ever closer.  It had been a 
close race, but there was nothing more he could do.
     "Now!" Artemis yelled.  The Scouts nodded, and raised their 
transformation pens.
     The Starfleet personnel stared at the Scouts, wondering what 
they were doing.
     "VENUS POWER!" An orange globe of energy formed over her head.
     "MERCURY POWER!"  A blue globe formed, and joined the orange 
one.
     "MARS POWER!"  Another energy globe, this one red, formed.
     "JUPITER POWER!"  Her's was a green globe.
     The four energy globes united above them and expanded outward, 
forming a spherical barrier around the ship.  The energy beam came 
into contact with it, but was completely deflected.  The only evidence 
that those inside had that the ship had been hit was that the deck 
shuddered slightly, but this was barely noticeable.  Frustrated, the 
alien struck again, but the energy beam was deflected once more by 
the Scout's barrier.  The ship trembled only slightly at the second 
impact as well; while inside the Scouts grimaced at the strain of 
maintaining the force field.
     "They are generating an energy field of unknown type that is 
surrounding the ship," said Spock.  "It is shielding us from the 
alien's attacks, much like a deflector shield would.  More efficiently, 
in fact."  He stood up and looked at the Scouts.  "Fascinating..."
     "I didn't know they could do that," Kirk said, astounded yet again 
by their abilities.  "Still, we have to figure out a way to destroy 
that thing."
     "We have a plan, Captain," Luna told him.  "Now, Sailor Moon," 
she urged.  "Use..."
     "I'm on it, Luna.  That thing is moon dust!"  Sailor Moon raised 
the Moon Wand above her head, the Silver Crystal glowing with power.  
"COSMIC MOON POWER!"
     The Silver Crystal flared and sent out a bright beam of energy 
that amazingly passed right through the roof of the bridge without 
damaging it.   It surged onward, striking the alien craft.  It moved 
about frantically, trying to escape the energy blast, but was held in 
place like a fly in a spider's web.
     Spock bent over the sensor hood, analyzing the state of the 
shadow vessel.  "The crystal's power is destabilizing the alien ship's 
organic matrix, but at a very slow rate.  It's attempting to adapt to 
the crystal beam and dissipate it."
     Kirk glanced over at Sailor Moon.  "Is what she's doing 
sufficient to destroy the alien, Spock?"
     "Possibly.  However, at this point the outcome is uncertain."
     "Can she put more power into it?" Kirk asked the cats.
     "Sailor Moon could use more power from the crystal, but it's 
dangerous.  If she uses it's full potential, it will draw upon her 
life force and then..."  Luna's voice trailed off.
     "I can do it, Luna..." she said in a strained voice.
     "No, Sailor Moon!  You'll be killed!"
     "That's not an option," Kirk said firmly.  Too many had already died 
on this mission.  He wasn't about to ask a teenager to sacrifice herself 
for his ship.  There had to be an alternative.  "I..."
     The intercom whistled, interrupting him.  "Scott to bridge.  
Dilithium crystals are reinstalled.  Warp power is online."
     Kirk smiled.  "Scotty, you're timing's is perfect!  Divert warp 
power to weapons.  Mr. Sulu... set phasers to maximum and lock onto 
target.  It's time to show these beings from the Negaverse what a 
starship can really do."
     Sulu quickly readjusted the controls.  "Phasers at full power."
     "Torpedoes ready," Chekov added, his voice eager.
     "The Sailor Scouts have helped us many times so far.  Now it's 
time to return the favor," Kirk stated.  "Open fire, all weapons!"
     The phaser beams lanced out at the Negaverse ship again, this 
time much brighter than before.  At the same time a barrage of photon 
torpedoes were launched, all of which found their mark.  The ship 
writhed and twisted, almost seeming to scream in pain.  Two of it's 
spines had been sheared off by the torpedo impacts, a blackish 
substance oozing outward from the wounds.
     "Multiple direct hits," reported Spock.  "It's defenses have been 
significantly damaged.  It was unable to compensate for the combination 
of our weapons and the Silver Crystal's power."  The ship rocked again 
as the shadow vessel unleashed another energy beam at them.  "Though 
it is apparently still capable of resistance."  The ship continued to 
shake as the shadow ship sent a continuous beam at the Enterprise in 
a desperate attempt to breach the Scouts' barrier.
     "Sulu, maintain phaser fire."  Kirk risked a quick glance at the 
Sailor Scouts.  They were maintaining the shield around the ship, 
while Sailor Moon was still directing the energy beam at the shadow 
vessel; but was apparent to him that the strain of this was beginning 
to tell on all of them.  Who knew how much longer they could keep it 
up?  "It's time to end this.  Mr. Chekov, prepare another volley of 
photon torpedoes; target the same spot as the phasers."  After the 
navigator nodded that the torpedoes were ready, "Fire!"  The torpedoes 
struck again in conjunction with the phasers, this time breaching the 
skin of the organic spacecraft.  A mental command from Sailor Moon 
sent the power of the crystal flowing through the wound into the core 
of the ship.  Giving one last cry of despair the shadow began to 
crumple up, then exploded outward into a rapidly expanding ball of 
dust.
     "Got it!" Chekov exclaimed.
     "Dusted!" cried the Scouts.  They began giving each other high 
fives.
     As usual, Spock was characteristically more restrained.  "The 
alien ship has been destroyed, Captain.  I recommend that we cloak 
before Malachite can attack again."
     "Agreed, Mr. Spock.  Mr. Sulu, engage the cloaking device."

     Beryl screamed in frustration as the Enterprise faded from view.  
"No, it can't be!  I was so close!!"
     Malachite kept his face passive, but inwardly smirked.  'Much 
better than my plans, hmmmm?'

Next Time:  It seems like all said and done, doesn't it?  The crystals 
are recovered, the ship has been saved and safely hidden from view.  
Well, not quite...
    Be here for the epilogue: "Farewells"
soton@aol.com (Soton)

Sailor Trek

Epilogue - Farewells
     "Captain's log, Stardate 5049.3  With repairs complete and our 
dilithium crystals recovered, the Enterprise is ready to return our own 
universe.  But first we must return the Sailor Scouts back to their 
home."

     The Scouts were clustered around Mercury, their expressions 
anxious.  "This doesn't look good," Venus commented.
     Sailor Moon shook her head.  "I have faith in Mercury.  She'll 
pull through, just you wait and see."
     "Not this time," McCoy commented.  "I'm afraid she's had it."
     Mercury tried to block out the whispered conversations going on 
behind her and concentrated on her next move.  At last she made her 
decision and reached out to move her queen.  "Your move," she said to 
her opponent.
     Spock nodded slightly and contemplated the new positioning of 
the chess pieces.  After a few seconds of thought, he picked up the 
bishop and moved it.  Mercury's shoulders sagged and she looked 
downcast when she saw where he was moving it to.  "Check.  Mate in 
five."
     "No!  It can't be!" Sailor Moon cried.
     "I'm afraid so," Mercury said.  She put her hand on her king and 
toppled it over, resigning the game.  "Good game."
     "As was yours," the Vulcan replied.  "You play well for someone 
of your age and relative inexperience."  She nodded, accepting his 
congratulations.
     "I was sure Mercury would win," Artemis said.
     "So did I," remarked a depressed looking Chekov.
     "Why are you so glum?" Mars asked.
     He grinned ruefully.  "I just lost a bet with Sulu."
     The helmsman chuckled.  "When are you going to learn to never bet 
against the reigning chess champion of the Enterprise, Pavel?"
     "Well, someone's going to beat him someday!"
     "In the meantime, you owe me twenty credits."
     "And *you* owe me thirty credits," Uhura chimed in.  Chekov now 
grinned at the sudden change on Sulu's face, but it didn't last long as 
Uhura then turned and looked pointedly at him.  "You too, mister."
     "If Sulu was betting on Spock, then how did you win?" Luna asked.
     "She bet on the length of the game," Sulu answered.  "And it's 
never taken Spock longer than seventy moves to beat a noncomputer 
opponent."
     "Especially in two dimensional chess," Chekov added.
     The rec room door hissed open, allowing Kirk to enter.  Seeing 
the game was over, "Did I miss the rematch as well?"
     "Nope," Jupiter said.  "They just finished the first one."
     Kirk looked perplexed.  "Just finished?"
     "You should have seen it, Jim.  She gave Spock the match of his 
life.  Over eighty moves."
     "Eighty three," Spock amended.
     The look on Kirk's face was enough to start Sailor Moon giggling.  
"Eighty... three?  My longest game with you was fifty moves!"
     "Forty seven, to be precise."
     Kirk was saved from further embarrassment by the whistle from the 
intercom.  "Kirk here."
     "We've got the warp engines set along the frequencies that Mr. 
Spock calculated, Captain," Scotty answered.  "And the ship has been 
maneuvered into a high Earth orbit.  We're ready to beam the Scouts 
back home."
     "Thank you Scotty.  Kirk out."

     Chief Kyle looked up at the sound of the transporter room doors 
opening to admit Captain Kirk and Sailor Moon.  They were soon followed 
by Spock, Luna, Artemis and the other Scouts.  "Before you go," Kirk 
said, "I just wanted to thank you and your friends once again for your 
assistance during our stay in your universe.  You've undoubtedly save 
the ship several times over, as well as the lives of several members of 
my crew."
     "Also our chances of retrieving the dilithium crystals from the 
Negaverse would have been exceedingly remote without your aid," Spock 
added.
     Sailor Moon laughed lightly.  "Hey, not a problem.  With me around, 
there wasn't any real doubt about the outcome."  Mars looked like she 
was about to make a sarcastic comment, but she remained silent.
     "Yeah, saving the day is what we're best at!" added Sailor Venus.
     "Besides, you've already paid us back," Jupiter remarked.  "If 
it wasn't for Dr. McCoy, I don't think that Venus and myself would have 
survived."  The blonde Scout nodded.
     "Considering it was our dilithium crystal that was used to injure 
you, we did have some responsibility to remedy that," the captain 
responded.  "But I'll pass your thanks along to the good doctor."
     Luna scampered past them onto the transporter pads.  "Come along, 
girls.  It's time we got back to where we belong."
     "Yeah, by this time your parents are going to be really worried," 
Artemis added.
     "Don't be such a worry wart, Artemis," Venus said.  "We already 
covered that angle."
     "How?"
     "Uhura patched the ship's communication into the Tokyo telephone 
grid so we could make several calls to our parents," Mercury 
explained.  "We told them we'd be spending the night over at Lita's."
     "Oh."
     Jupiter paused as she was about to step onto the transporter.  
"You know, it's too bad you can't stick around to help us finish off 
the Negaverse.  With your help, it wouldn't take any time at all!"
     "True," said Kirk.  "And if we didn't have to get back to our own 
homes, I might be tempted to stay and help.  But we're needed back in 
our own universe as well."
     "Don't worry about it.  No problem," quipped Sailor Moon.  "As 
long as I'm around, Beryl and her goons don't stand a chance!"
     "At least until you clutz out again," retorted Mars, unable to 
contain herself this time.  "Which will be every five minutes!"
     "Put a sock on it, Mars!"  Sailor Moon snarled.
     "Thbbbb."
     "Thbbbb, yourself,"  Sailor Moon retaliated in kind.
     "That's enough, you two," Luna admonished.  "We don't have time 
for this!"  The two Scouts grumbled and took their places, occasionally 
throwing dirty looks the other's way.
     "Do you think we'll ever see you again, Captain?" inquired Sailor 
Mercury.
     "Improbable," Spock replied.
     "It's doubtful, but you never know," said Kirk. "The universe is 
funny that way.  Goodbye, Sailor Scouts.  And good luck!"
     Spock held his right hand up in the Vulcan salute.  "Live long 
and prosper, Sailor Scouts."  Mars and Jupiter tried to emulate him, 
but failed miserably.  The others settled for waving farewell.
     "Energize,"  Kirk said to Chief Kyle.  Nodding, the transporter 
chief activated the beam. The Scouts and their feline companions 
dissolved into pillars of orange-yellow light and vanished.

     The still night air in the Juban park was disturbed by a low 
humming noise caused by the Scouts materializing.  Once the process 
was complete, they looked around and noted with relief that they were 
back amid familiar surroundings.  "It's good to be back home," Venus 
commented.
     "Yeah, but you gotta admit that was some trip," Jupiter remarked.
     Artemis nodded in agreement.  "Yes.  That was one of the toughest 
fights you've had yet."
     "Well, it's over now," Luna remarked.  "And it's well past time 
we got home."  They nodded, and moments later the five Sailor Scouts 
were replaced by five teenage girls.
     "Hey, Lita," Serena remarked playfully, "I bet Spock didn't look 
like your old boyfriend!"
     "No," agreed the tall girl agreed, "but Captain Kirk sure did.  
And now that I think about it, so did Chekov!"  She looked puzzled at 
the groans this elicited from the other Scouts.
     "Well,  I guess I can't blame her," Venus commented.  "He sure 
is a hunk!"
     "Which?  Kirk or Chekov?"
     "Guess."
     "I don't know.  I found Spock more attractive," Amy said.
     An odd gleam shone in Serena's eyes and she playfully nudged Amy 
in the ribs. "Ah, so is he your new boyfriend, Amy?"
     She blushed a bright shade of red.  "Don't be silly!  He's not 
even human!"
     "Well, half human," said Luna, suppressing a yawn.
     Raye looked skyward, as if she were trying to spot the orbiting 
starship.  "Do you think they'll be able to get back home?"
     "Oh, I'm certain of it," Amy answered.  "Mr. Spock explained the 
process to me.  He's incredibly intelligent."
     Serena was about to tease Amy again, but turned her attention 
elsewhere.  "What's the matter, Raye?" she asked, indicating the 
gyrations Raye was doing with her hand.  "Can't do that Vulcan salute?"
     "I'd like to see you do it!" she snapped.
     "Hah!" Serena retorted and put her hand up in a near perfect 
imitation of what Spock had earlier.  "Now who's the clutz?"
     Needless to say, the tongue war was rejoined in earnest.

     Kirk sat down in his command chair.  "Mr. Chekov, plot a reverse 
course through the quantum flux."
     "Course plotted and laid in, sir," replied the russian ensign.
     "Warp engines are set to engage when we come in contact with the 
flux," Scotty added.
     "Well," Kirk remarked, looking back and forth at Spock and McCoy, 
"I can safely say that this has been one of our more... interesting 
encounters."
     "That's putting it mildly, Jim," McCoy replied.  "Teenage girls 
with superpowers, invading aliens from another dimension intent on 
conquering Earth... give me the Romulans or the Klingons any day!"
     Kirk chuckled in agreement.  "Still Bones, I'd have to say that 
the fate of this Earth is in capable hands."
     "Or at least paws," added the doctor.
     "Agreed," said Spock.  "Luna is highly intelligent and logical, 
as is Sailor Mercury.  I found that most refreshing in a human."
     "Oh, really, Spock?" asked McCoy.  There was a mischievous glint 
in his eyes.  "Are you sure that it isn't that you liked looking at her 
legs?"  In the front of the bridge, Chekov and Sulu exchanged grins.  
McCoy was at it again.
     Spock rolled his eyes in a Vulcan expression of impatience.  
"Really, Doctor, your preoccupation with physical attributes is most 
irritating.  You are fully aware that Vulcans are incapable of physical 
attraction."
     "In a pig's eye!" retorted McCoy.  He was smiling at the Vulcan 
now, thoroughly enjoying himself.  "You were definitely attracted to 
her computer."  He leaned over to the Captain and said in a loud 
whisper, "You know Jim, I really have to feel sorry for Spock.  He 
finally found the perfect female for him, and she had to be underage!"
     Spock raised one eyebrow.  "Most illogical, Doctor.  However, I 
did notice that you were occasionally admiring Jupiter's... assets."
     Kirk winced internally.  Spock had definitely gotten the better 
of that exchange.
     "Doctor McCoy!" Scotty exclaimed in mock horror.  "She's young 
enough to be your daughter!"
     McCoy turned beet red and leveled an accusing finger at the 
first officer.  "Now just a damned minute..."
     "Bones..." Kirk began.
     "I am merely making an observation, Doctor."
     "Gentlemen..." Kirk tried to intervene again in a louder voice.
     "...to suggest that I would act that way towards one of my 
patients..."
     "She was not your patient at that point, Doctor."
     "That's beside the point!"
     "Enough!" Kirk roared, silencing the two.  In a quieter voice 
he observed wryly, "You two are beginning to sound as bad as Sailor 
Moon and Sailor Mars."  Though neither of them replied, McCoy looked 
somewhat indignant, whereas Spock elevated both eyebrows.  Ignoring 
the looks he was getting from the two senior officers, Kirk addressed 
the helmsman, "Mr Sulu... take us home."
     "Aye sir," answered Sulu and activated the helm controls, moving 
the ship smoothly out of orbit.  Moments later, they all heard the hum 
of the warp engines engaging.
     The Enterprise was on her way home.

The End.


Authors notes:
     Wow.  It's hard to believe I finally finished this, I've been 
working on it for so long.  Looking at my notes, I've been working on 
this story for over a year now.  I only hope the end results are worth 
the effort.  But I've still got three other stories in this series 
left to work on.
     Thanks to Gene Roddenberry and Naoko Takeuchi, for creating their 
respective genres.

     In case anyone's wondering, Lt. Cmdr. Giotto originally appeared 
in the Classic Trek episode "The Devil in the Dark".  (Remember the 
Horta?)
     Mina's botched quote from Chapter 3 ("piece of pie") I originally 
got from "2010", though I recently saw it used in an episode of 
"Hogan's Heros".  Go figure.

     This was actually the second fanfic I started writing.  The 
first one got put on hold as I got more and more involved with writing 
the "Sailor Trek" saga, but it will make an eventual appearance.
     When I first set out to write this, my only intention was to 
write a decent crossover between Classic Trek and Sailor Moon, and to 
do it in a serious manner.  Most of the other Trek/Sailor Moon 
crossovers I have seen to date have been parodies (or at least have 
comedic tendencies), and all involving the TNG crew in one way or 
other. (Not that there's anything wrong with comedy, but Trek *is* a 
more dramatic genre than it is comedic.)
     This got me to thinking: Have people forgotten how Trek really 
started?  Can they really have forgotten Kirk, Spock and McCoy?  So I 
tried to come up with a way to involve these two genres and write in a 
way that it could have been made as an episode of the original series.  
And along the way incorporate every possible Classic Trek cliche that 
I could: Kirk's log entries, Spock saying "Fascinating" at the drop of 
a hat, the Vulcan Mind Meld, the nerve pinch, Scotty's latest miracle, 
the redshirts, "I'm a doctor, not a ...", etc.
     Oh, and of course, Spock and McCoy bickering.  What Classic Trek 
story would be complete without these two taking the occasional potshot 
at the other?  (I don't know about anyone else, but I've found the
relationship between Serena and Raye to be very similar to that between 
McCoy and Spock.)
     As I was writing this, I had an idea on a Scouts/TNG story and got 
to work on that as well.  Then, after reading Pocket Books "Invasion!" 
storyline (separate stories with a common thread among the four book 
lines), it hit me: Why not write separate stories involving all four of 
the Trek series (Classic, TNG, DS9 and Voyager) with the Scouts?  I 
already had two in the pipeline, so it was just a matter of coming up 
with storylines for DS9 and Voyager.  (Yeah, right!  Just!)
     And so I did.

     Personally, I think the TNG story is better than this one... and 
that the DS9 story is even better yet.  I'm not sure about the Voyager 
line yet, as it's still in a state of flux right now, but it's got 
pretty good potential.  (That's only natural since the others are in 
final draft form and the Voyager story has just had it's second draft 
done.)  But time will tell.
     But what I think doesn't matter.  Your opinions are the one's that 
count.
     So tell me... how'd I do?
     Send comments to: soton@aol.com

     Later...
     Bill Harris

     Next up:  Sailor Trek: The Next Generation - "A Borg to Remember..."
When an enemy of the Sailor Scouts is transported into the Trek universe 
and meets up with a Borg vessel, this spells trouble for the crew of the 
Enterprise D.  Especially when several teenage girls mysteriously 
appear on the ship.

Preview snippet:
     "On screen," ordered the captain.  The viewer flickered, and the 
distant form of another ship appeared.  "Magnify."  Again the screen 
flickered, and the image of the approaching ship filled the screen.
    Riker vocalized the puzzlement they all felt, "What the hell?"  
All along the ship there were projections of some crystalline substance.  
But the core of the ship, in the form of a cube, was very distinctive.  
All present recognized it immediately.
     "The Borg."  Picard stared at the screen, a sense of dread filling 
him.  It had been over a year since they had faced one of these ships, 
but he still had the occasional nightmare about it.  Troi glanced over 
at him, an expression of concern evident on her face.  "Highly modified, 
but it's definitely a Borg ship," he continued, his voice barely above a
whisper.  Then in a more assertive tone, "Number One, take us to battle 
stations."
     "Red alert!," Riker cried out.  "All hands to battle stations!"

Part 1 should appear by the end of the month.

Still to come:
     Sailor Trek DS9 - "Sailor Paradox"
     Sailor Trek Voyager - "The Negaphoenix"
     Highlander Moon