Chapter 6: Miscalculations

“I’m afraid that this has been planned for quite some time.”

Leda nodded, gesturing of the Guardian to sit down. “I’m glad someone is beginning to think that, Cassandra. It was too much to credit to coincidence. Do you think that Duthbert and Naffid planned this together?”

“It is a good possibility, Your Highness,” Cassandra stated solemnly.

“Then there could be more to Naffid’s betrayal than just his desire for the throne of Jupiter.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“How does the captain figure into all this?”

The Guardian shook her head. “I’m still not sure, but I believe she will be a powerful ally. However, she has been lied to and betrayed all her life. It is going to be difficult to win her trust.”

“But she isn’t necessarily loyal to the Shadow Moon Empire then?”

“No, she isn’t the most loyal imperial subject.”

The princess chuckled. “We should keep her away from Naffid. Imagine the damage the two of them could do.”

“I’m glad that you still have a sense of humor, Your Highness,” the Guardian replied with a broad smile. “Naffid has underestimated your strength and the strength of your family.”

Leda’s gray eyes darkened. There was still no word from Benedict regarding Caitlyn and Adam, who had refused to give in to the mayor and his demands. Scylla and the others were beginning their desperate attempt to save Ilene, a victim of the Redolarian Sleeping Curse. Lysia had been left to run the planet, during Leda and Paul’s absence. Elara, the youngest, had worn herself ragged between caring for the patients and helping hold Jupiter together. Yes, Naffid had definitely underestimated her family’s strength.

“Let’s hope he has underestimated about more,” she murmured, rising to check on the palace’s preparations.

* * * * *

Adam watched with faint amusement as his wife prowled the room. They had been kept in the same room for several hours with no outside contact. The solitude and the unknowing were beginning to plague on the nerves of the couple.

“If only I had my transformation pen,” Caitlyn muttered for the millionth time. “If only we could get out of here and do something.”

He had learned by this point not to respond to her outbursts. He collapsed against the bed, staring at the all too familiar ceiling. With a huff, Caitlyn stopped pacing and plopped down beside him.

“How can you be so patient?” she asked, leaning on his chest.

“Years of practice from being married to you,” he replied. He grunted when she thumped him solidly on the forehead.

“Leave it to you to make jokes even during a time like this,” she remarked, flipping some of her hair off her shoulder.

He smiled. “It’s just my way of whistling in the dark, dear.”

“Good idea,” she said, her tone more upbeat, “because you definitely can’t whistle.”

He playfully pulled her hair, laughing quietly with her. “I love you, Cait.”

“I know,” she replied. “I love you, too.”

The pair suddenly froze by the knock on the door. Exchanging worried glances, they quickly got to their feet. Adam squeezed her hand reassuringly before he walked over to the door.

“I can’t believed they knocked,” he murmured, earning a weak smile from his wife.

However, the door opened before Adam got to it. Four men entered the room. Two immediately grabbed Adam and began to pull him out of the room, while the other duo gave Caitlyn similar treatment. A fifth man stood waiting in the corridor, glaring as the couple was dragged into the hallway.

“Naffid wants them in one piece,” the new man growled. “He will not be happy if they are injured before they can be useful.”

“That’s okay, I’m not feeling too useful,” Caitlyn stated, stomping on one guy’s toe and elbowing the other.

Adam capitalized on the distraction, turning on his captors as well. The fifth man gave a shout of protest and grabbed Adam’s shoulder. Without hesitation, Adam turned and punched him, sending the other man to the floor.

A glance to Caitlyn confirmed that she had taken care of her end. With a broad grin, he grabbed her hand. As they began to run down the hall, the fifth man struggled to his feet.

“Lady Cait, please stop!”

Caitlyn froze. Letting go of Adam’s hand, she turned around, staring at the man. “Benedict?”

Nodding, the man walked toward her. “You’ll never get out that way. Follow me. I can get you both out of here.”

Adam stood protectively by his wife. “So, you’re the mysterious Benedict Martin.”

“Mysterious isn’t the adjective I prefer,” he replied, pulling his cap lower over his face, “but it will do. Come on, follow me.”

With an amazing speed, Benedict led them through several corridors and passages. Caitlyn felt like laughing when she realized that they had been kept in the guest wing of the mayors’ meeting hall all along. To her surprise, Benedict led them to a waiting van outside the compound.

“This is my sister, Charity,” Benedict explained, closing the door behind them. “Get us to the palace, little sister. I’m sure they’ll be needed all of us soon.”

“You got it,” the girl said, shifting the van into gear. “Better hang on.”

Adam glared at Benedict as his head nearly hit the roof. “What did you mean?”

“Naffid is planning on attacking the palace,” Benedict explained. “With the prince and princess gone, Lady Ilene ill, and you two captured, that left Lady Lysia in charge with Lady Elara as back up.”

Caitlyn shook her head. “Surely, Crystal Tokyo sent some help.”

“Yes,” Benedict said with a nod, “but I don’t know in what form.”

“Let’s hope it’s enough,” Caitlyn stated, glancing out the window at the passing buildings.

“It looks like we owe you a great deal, Benedict,” Adam said grudgingly after a pause, earning surprised looks from both Caitlyn and Benedict.

The other man finally shrugged before suddenly punching Adam in the jaw. With a broad grin, he declared, “I think we’re even now.”

* * * * *

“Do you think we’ll be ready, sir?”

After a moment’s pause, Paul finally nodded. “Yes, we will be, Captain.”

“What makes you so certain?”

“It’s been a long time since my wife and the other younger Sailor Soldiers have had to fight,” Paul began. “However, they have matured in their powers considerably since then. I don’t think that Mayor Naffid has thought about that.”

“What about you?”

“Me?”

The captain nodded.

“Somewhat,” the Prince of Jupiter finally replied. “My powers have increased somewhat, but I think that Leda and the others will be the real surprise.”


Miscalculations “I’m afraid that this has been planned for quite some time.” Leda nodded, gesturing of the Guardian to sit down. “I’m glad someone is beginning to think that, Cassandra. It was too much to credit to coincidence. Do you think that Duthbert and Naffid planned this together?” “It is a good possibility, Your Highness,” Cassandra stated solemnly. “Then there could be more to Naffid’s betrayal than just his desire for the throne of Jupiter.” “Yes, indeed.” “How does the captain figure into all this?” The Guardian shook her head. “I’m still not sure, but I believe she will be a powerful ally. However, she has been lied to and betrayed all her life. It is going to be difficult to win her trust.” “But she isn’t necessarily loyal to the Shadow Moon Empire then?” “No, she isn’t the most loyal imperial subject.” The princess chuckled. “We should keep her away from Naffid. Imagine the damage the two of them could do.” “I’m glad that you still have a sense of humor, Your Highness,” the Guardian replied with a broad smile. “Naffid has underestimated your strength and the strength of your family.” Leda’s gray eyes darkened. There was still no word from Benedict regarding Caitlyn and Adam, who had refused to give in to the mayor and his demands. Scylla and the others were beginning their desperate attempt to save Ilene, a victim of the Redolarian Sleeping Curse. Lysia had been left to run the planet, during Leda and Paul’s absence. Elara, the youngest, had worn herself ragged between caring for the patients and helping hold Jupiter together. Yes, Naffid had definitely underestimated her family’s strength. “Let’s hope he has underestimated about more,” she murmured, rising to check on the palace’s preparations. * * * * * Adam watched with faint amusement as his wife prowled the room. They had been kept in the same room for several hours with no outside contact. The solitude and the unknowing were beginning to plague on the nerves of the couple. “If only I had my transformation pen,” Caitlyn muttered for the millionth time. “If only we could get out of here and do something.” He had learned by this point not to respond to her outbursts. He collapsed against the bed, staring at the all too familiar ceiling. With a huff, Caitlyn stopped pacing and plopped down beside him. “How can you be so patient?” she asked, leaning on his chest. “Years of practice from being married to you,” he replied. He grunted when she thumped him solidly on the forehead. “Leave it to you to make jokes even during a time like this,” she remarked, flipping some of her hair off her shoulder. He smiled. “It’s just my way of whistling in the dark, dear.” “Good idea,” she said, her tone more upbeat, “because you definitely can’t whistle.” He playfully pulled her hair, laughing quietly with her. “I love you, Cait.” “I know,” she replied. “I love you, too.” The pair suddenly froze by the knock on the door. Exchanging worried glances, they quickly got to their feet. Adam squeezed her hand reassuringly before he walked over to the door. “I can’t believed they knocked,” he murmured, earning a weak smile from his wife. However, the door opened before Adam got to it. Four men entered the room. Two immediately grabbed Adam and began to pull him out of the room, while the other duo gave Caitlyn similar treatment. A fifth man stood waiting in the corridor, glaring as the couple was dragged into the hallway. “Naffid wants them in one piece,” the new man growled. “He will not be happy if they are injured before they can be useful.” “That’s okay, I’m not feeling too useful,” Caitlyn stated, stomping on one guy’s toe and elbowing the other. Adam capitalized on the distraction, turning on his captors as well. The fifth man gave a shout of protest and grabbed Adam’s shoulder. Without hesitation, Adam turned and punched him, sending the other man to the floor. A glance to Caitlyn confirmed that she had taken care of her end. With a broad grin, he grabbed her hand. As they began to run down the hall, the fifth man struggled to his feet. “Lady Cait, please stop!” Caitlyn froze. Letting go of Adam’s hand, she turned around, staring at the man. “Benedict?” Nodding, the man walked toward her. “You’ll never get out that way. Follow me. I can get you both out of here.” Adam stood protectively by his wife. “So, you’re the mysterious Benedict Martin.” “Mysterious isn’t the adjective I prefer,” he replied, pulling his cap lower over his face, “but it will do. Come on, follow me.” With an amazing speed, Benedict led them through several corridors and passages. Caitlyn felt like laughing when she realized that they had been kept in the guest wing of the mayors’ meeting hall all along. To her surprise, Benedict led them to a waiting van outside the compound. “This is my sister, Charity,” Benedict explained, closing the door behind them. “Get us to the palace, little sister. I’m sure they’ll be needed all of us soon.” “You got it,” the girl said, shifting the van into gear. “Better hang on.” Adam glared at Benedict as his head nearly hit the roof. “What did you mean?” “Naffid is planning on attacking the palace,” Benedict explained. “With the prince and princess gone, Lady Ilene ill, and you two captured, that left Lady Lysia in charge with Lady Elara as back up.” Caitlyn shook her head. “Surely, Crystal Tokyo sent some help.” “Yes,” Benedict said with a nod, “but I don’t know in what form.” “Let’s hope it’s enough,” Caitlyn stated, glancing out the window at the passing buildings. “It looks like we owe you a great deal, Benedict,” Adam said grudgingly after a pause, earning surprised looks from both Caitlyn and Benedict. The other man finally shrugged before suddenly punching Adam in the jaw. With a broad grin, he declared, “I think we’re even now.” * * * * * “Do you think we’ll be ready, sir?” After a moment’s pause, Paul finally nodded. “Yes, we will be, Captain.” “What makes you so certain?” “It’s been a long time since my wife and the other younger Sailor Soldiers have had to fight,” Paul began. “However, they have matured in their powers considerably since then. I don’t think that Mayor Naffid has thought about that.” “What about you?” “Me?” The captain nodded. “Somewhat,” the Prince of Jupiter finally replied. “My powers have increased somewhat, but I think that Leda and the others will be the real surprise.”


Chapter 7: Truths Jupiter's Gone