Chapter 4: Searching for Hope

“Elara, I’m glad you are up and about,” Lysia said, as she nodded to Cami and Galen in greeting.

“What’s going on?” Elara asked. “Where are Caitlyn and Alex?”

“They went to a meeting of the Guardian Council at Mayor Naffid’s demand,” Lysia explained, “but he had them arrested for treason. Since I have refused to turn control of Jupiter over to him and the Council, he is threatening to take it by force.”

“By the House of Light,” Iphigenia gasped.

“What are you planning to do?” Adam asked.

Lysia sighed and leaned against the back of a chair. “Although the Council meeting is being held hours away, I don’t believe that we have that much luxury of time. Elara, Dr. Cross, can Ilene be moved without furthering compromising her condition?”

Elara glanced at both Galen and Cami before answering. “I wouldn’t advise moving Ilene unless it was absolutely necessary. Why?”

“I don’t know what Naffid has done to Alex and Caitlyn. Benedicit is going to try to locate them and help them when he does. However, if Naffid does gain control here, at the palace, there is no telling what he will do to us. I think that we should get the children and Ilene out of here if at all possible.”

“Ilene shouldn’t be moved,” Elara repeated, “but I agree that Thebe and Adra should be taken to safety.”

“And who will do that?” Adam demanded.

“You, if you can,” Lysia replied, “or Dylan, if you will not.”

Adam froze, the conflict between staying with his wife and protecting his daughter evident on his face. Dylan watched his wife, his arms folded across his chest. Under his unruly brown bangs, his blue-green eyes flashed angrily.

“How can you ask for me to leave you alone to face this?” he asked.

“You’re a scientist, not a soldier,” Lysia stated. “I would feel better knowing that you were away from this, protecting our nieces and possibly the future of Jupiter.”

“What about Crystal Tokyo?” Diana asked. “Surely Neo-Queen Serenity will help.”

“I’ve already contacted them and help is on the way, but we can’t wait around for it to arrive. Please, we need to get the children out of here and strengthen our defenses whatever way we can.”

“I have to stay here with Ilene,” Adam said softly. “Dylan, will you take Thebe and Adra?”

“Where should I take them?” Dylan demanded.

“Take them to Mars or to Earth,” Lysia replied. “It doesn’t matter as they are off Jupiter. It’s would be probably better if none of us know where you’ve gone, just as long as you contact Neo-Queen Serenity upon your arrival.”

“Cami, Galen, and I will begin moving the patients to a more interior wing of the palace,” Elara said. “After the transfer, Galen will be responsible for the patients while Cami and I report back here.”

Lysia nodded. “Good idea. You’d better get started.”

Without further ado, the trio left the room.

“Dylan, please, will you save the girls?”

He studied his wife’s face for a moment before reluctantly nodding.

“Thank you,” Lysia said. “You and one of the guards should get the girls and leave as soon as possible. Adam, go with them so you can say goodbye to Adra. I will met you in the hangar shortly to say goodbye as well.”

She watched them leave the room, a myriad of conflicting emotions fleeting across her face. With a sigh, she focused on the individuals still in the room. “Captain, can you, the twins, and Iphigenia try to strengthen our defenses whatever ways you can? I will join you after I see Dylan and the girls off?”

All four nodded.

“Everything you need will be at your disposal,” Lysia concluded. “Good luck.”

As Lysia exited the room, Diana sighed. “We’ll need more than luck.”

“We’ll need a miracle,” Phoebe agreed.

“Let’s hope the gods will be merciful,” the Guardian stated.

The captain nodded. “Indeed, but we need to get to work, just in case they aren’t.”

* * * * *

Caitlyn was puzzled by the rough surface scraping her face. Opening one heavy eye, she noticed that it was her husband’s stubble. Mildly surprised, she opened the other eye so she could study his face better. She had rarely seen Alex when he was not clean-shaven.

However, she realized that they were both still dressed in court clothes. She sat up, the sudden movement making her head swim. As she fought the dizziness, she realized that they were not in the room.

Alex was immediately awake and sat up. “Caitlyn, are you all right?”

“Where are we? What’s happened?”

“Naffid arrested us at the conference for treason several hours ago,” he explained with a sigh. “I don’t know where they have taken us.”

Caitlyn closed her eyes. “I don’t remember,” she whispered.

“What?”

Slowly, her eyes opened. “I don’t remember the conference or anything. Why don’t I remember, Alex?”

Alex hugged her, stroking her hair. “You sensed something was wrong, but I didn’t pay attention to it. When Naffid ordered the guards to arrest, you tried to transform. However, you were knocked unconscious by a blow in the back of the head.”

“And I’ve been unconscious all this time?”

“Yes, Cait, all this time.”

She checked her pockets but wasn’t surprised to find her transformation pen was gone. Sighing, she glanced around the room before looking back at her husband. “Are you okay, Alex?”

“I’m fine, honey.”

“I guess there’s no way out of here.”

He gave a somewhat bitter laugh. “Not unless you can shrink us or something. I don’t think we have a lot of options here.”

“So we have to sit here and wait for Naffid to deal with us as he will.”

“Well, we can do one more thing?”

Caitlyn gave him a questioning look. “And what is that?”

“Hope for a miracle.”

* * * * *

“Where can we move all the patients?” Cami asked as they headed back to the medical wing.

Elara frowned in thought for the moment. “The guest and family corridors should have enough rooms for the patients. However, it will take some time for us for us to move all the patients and the necessary equipment over there.”

Galen was more worried about her at the moment than the patient transfer. Elara was still pale and her hands trembled every now and then. “Do you think that we could get some extra help?”

“Maybe,” Elara replied. “Some of the palace staff may be available, but I wouldn’t count on too much extra help.”

Cami was glad that they had reached the medical wing. “Look, you two take a moment. I’ll get the ball rolling on the transfers.”

Galen nodded and led Elara into one of the few vacant rooms in the medical wing. “Elara, are you all right?”

“I’ll be okay. We need to get the patients moved. Naffid probably won’t give us much time to prepare.”

As she tried to leave the room, he grabbed her arm. “Maybe you should rest and let me and Cami take care of this.”

“There’s too much to be done for me to rest right now, Galen,” Elara replied, her voice crisp.

His grip on her arm tightened in anger. “And just how long will you last before you collapse from exhaustion again?”

“If I stay as Sailor Europa, I should last long enough to help out.”

“You’re planning on fighting as well.”

“It’s my duty, Galen,” she cried, pulling her arm free. “While I have a duty to my patients, I have an obligation to protect Jupiter as well.”

“Look,” he said, running a hand through his hair, “I’m just worried about you, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt further.”

She smiled faintly. “I know. I’ll promise I will try to be careful.”

“I guess that is all I can ask.”

She covered his cheek with her hand. “Please don’t be angry with me about this, Galen.”

“I’m not mad at you, Elara,” he stated, placing his hand over hers. “I will worry about you, but it’s because I love you.”

“I love you, too. You know that don’t you?”

To answer her question, he pulled her into her arms and kissed her.


Searching for Hope “Elara, I’m glad you are up and about,” Lysia said, as she nodded to Cami and Galen in greeting. “What’s going on?” Elara asked. “Where are Caitlyn and Alex?” “They went to a meeting of the Guardian Council at Mayor Naffid’s demand,” Lysia explained, “but he had them arrested for treason. Since I have refused to turn control of Jupiter over to him and the Council, he is threatening to take it by force.” “By the House of Light,” Iphigenia gasped. “What are you planning to do?” Adam asked. Lysia sighed and leaned against the back of a chair. “Although the Council meeting is being held hours away, I don’t believe that we have that much luxury of time. Elara, Dr. Cross, can Ilene be moved without furthering compromising her condition?” Elara glanced at both Galen and Cami before answering. “I wouldn’t advise moving Ilene unless it was absolutely necessary. Why?” “I don’t know what Naffid has done to Alex and Caitlyn. Benedicit is going to try to locate them and help them when he does. However, if Naffid does gain control here, at the palace, there is no telling what he will do to us. I think that we should get the children and Ilene out of here if at all possible.” “Ilene shouldn’t be moved,” Elara repeated, “but I agree that Thebe and Adra should be taken to safety.” “And who will do that?” Adam demanded. “You, if you can,” Lysia replied, “or Dylan, if you will not.” Adam froze, the conflict between staying with his wife and protecting his daughter evident on his face. Dylan watched his wife, his arms folded across his chest. Under his unruly brown bangs, his blue-green eyes flashed angrily. “How can you ask for me to leave you alone to face this?” he asked. “You’re a scientist, not a soldier,” Lysia stated. “I would feel better knowing that you were away from this, protecting our nieces and possibly the future of Jupiter.” “What about Crystal Tokyo?” Diana asked. “Surely Neo-Queen Serenity will help.” “I’ve already contacted them and help is on the way, but we can’t wait around for it to arrive. Please, we need to get the children out of here and strengthen our defenses whatever way we can.” “I have to stay here with Ilene,” Adam said softly. “Dylan, will you take Thebe and Adra?” “Where should I take them?” Dylan demanded. “Take them to Mars or to Earth,” Lysia replied. “It doesn’t matter as they are off Jupiter. It’s would be probably better if none of us know where you’ve gone, just as long as you contact Neo-Queen Serenity upon your arrival.” “Cami, Galen, and I will begin moving the patients to a more interior wing of the palace,” Elara said. “After the transfer, Galen will be responsible for the patients while Cami and I report back here.” Lysia nodded. “Good idea. You’d better get started.” Without further ado, the trio left the room. “Dylan, please, will you save the girls?” He studied his wife’s face for a moment before reluctantly nodding. “Thank you,” Lysia said. “You and one of the guards should get the girls and leave as soon as possible. Adam, go with them so you can say goodbye to Adra. I will met you in the hangar shortly to say goodbye as well.” She watched them leave the room, a myriad of conflicting emotions fleeting across her face. With a sigh, she focused on the individuals still in the room. “Captain, can you, the twins, and Iphigenia try to strengthen our defenses whatever ways you can? I will join you after I see Dylan and the girls off?” All four nodded. “Everything you need will be at your disposal,” Lysia concluded. “Good luck.” As Lysia exited the room, Diana sighed. “We’ll need more than luck.” “We’ll need a miracle,” Phoebe agreed. “Let’s hope the gods will be merciful,” the Guardian stated. The captain nodded. “Indeed, but we need to get to work, just in case they aren’t.” * * * * * Caitlyn was puzzled by the rough surface scraping her face. Opening one heavy eye, she noticed that it was her husband’s stubble. Mildly surprised, she opened the other eye so she could study his face better. She had rarely seen Alex when he was not clean-shaven. However, she realized that they were both still dressed in court clothes. She sat up, the sudden movement making her head swim. As she fought the dizziness, she realized that they were not in the room. Alex was immediately awake and sat up. “Caitlyn, are you all right?” “Where are we? What’s happened?” “Naffid arrested us at the conference for treason several hours ago,” he explained with a sigh. “I don’t know where they have taken us.” Caitlyn closed her eyes. “I don’t remember,” she whispered. “What?” Slowly, her eyes opened. “I don’t remember the conference or anything. Why don’t I remember, Alex?” Alex hugged her, stroking her hair. “You sensed something was wrong, but I didn’t pay attention to it. When Naffid ordered the guards to arrest, you tried to transform. However, you were knocked unconscious by a blow in the back of the head.” “And I’ve been unconscious all this time?” “Yes, Cait, all this time.” She checked her pockets but wasn’t surprised to find her transformation pen was gone. Sighing, she glanced around the room before looking back at her husband. “Are you okay, Alex?” “I’m fine, honey.” “I guess there’s no way out of here.” He gave a somewhat bitter laugh. “Not unless you can shrink us or something. I don’t think we have a lot of options here.” “So we have to sit here and wait for Naffid to deal with us as he will.” “Well, we can do one more thing?” Caitlyn gave him a questioning look. “And what is that?” “Hope for a miracle.” * * * * * “Where can we move all the patients?” Cami asked as they headed back to the medical wing. Elara frowned in thought for the moment. “The guest and family corridors should have enough rooms for the patients. However, it will take some time for us for us to move all the patients and the necessary equipment over there.” Galen was more worried about her at the moment than the patient transfer. Elara was still pale and her hands trembled every now and then. “Do you think that we could get some extra help?” “Maybe,” Elara replied. “Some of the palace staff may be available, but I wouldn’t count on too much extra help.” Cami was glad that they had reached the medical wing. “Look, you two take a moment. I’ll get the ball rolling on the transfers.” Galen nodded and led Elara into one of the few vacant rooms in the medical wing. “Elara, are you all right?” “I’ll be okay. We need to get the patients moved. Naffid probably won’t give us much time to prepare.” As she tried to leave the room, he grabbed her arm. “Maybe you should rest and let me and Cami take care of this.” “There’s too much to be done for me to rest right now, Galen,” Elara replied, her voice crisp. His grip on her arm tightened in anger. “And just how long will you last before you collapse from exhaustion again?” “If I stay as Sailor Europa, I should last long enough to help out.” “You’re planning on fighting as well.” “It’s my duty, Galen,” she cried, pulling her arm free. “While I have a duty to my patients, I have an obligation to protect Jupiter as well.” “Look,” he said, running a hand through his hair, “I’m just worried about you, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt further.” She smiled faintly. “I know. I’ll promise I will try to be careful.” “I guess that is all I can ask.” She covered his cheek with her hand. “Please don’t be angry with me about this, Galen.” “I’m not mad at you, Elara,” he stated, placing his hand over hers. “I will worry about you, but it’s because I love you.” “I love you, too. You know that don’t you?” To answer her question, he pulled her into her arms and kissed her.


Chapter 5: The Princess Returns Jupiter's Gone