Chapter 9: Complications

Jonathan looked up from his pile of textbooks, dismayed to find that it was already seven o’clock. It seemed that only a few minutes ago he had come home from class and started studying for his exams. The evening had gone by too quickly.

He realized with a start that he had not checked his e-mail. ‘I hope she has written me back,’ he thought as he returned to his bedroom. Forcing himself not to analyze this eagerness to hear from Celeste, Jonathan logged on and quickly went to his mailbox.

His smile broadened as he read her name as one of the senders. Ignoring the other messages, which included one from a professor, he open Celeste’s message.

Jonathan, hi. I got your card and it was hilarious. So far I haven’t encounter any women in kimonos, but I will be on the lookout. I am pretty jet-lagged but I am functional. Setsuna and I are going to spend the day together, visiting some of her friends. We’ll see how it goes. I will tell you more later, when I can. --Celeste

He reread the message a couple of times, debating on what to write in his reply. ‘I don’t think Celeste would appreciate ‘Hi, I am miserable without you. Please come home.’ I don’t think that she is ready to hear that.’ His musings were interrupted by his doorbell. Muttering under his breath, he headed for the door.

Through the peephole, he saw two women dressed entirely in black. ‘Great, salespeople,’ he thought, rolling his eyes as he unlocked the door. ‘I hope they go away without a fuss.’

He opened the door. “Look, ladies, whatever you are selling, I am not interested. Sorry. Good night.”

The younger one stuck her foot in the door, blocking Jonathan’s attempt at closing it. “Sir,” her voice sugary sweet, “we won’t take much of your time.”

“We have an important proposition you must be a part of,” her companion added.

Their eagerness disturbed him slightly, but Jonathan dismissed the feeling. Sighing, he opened the door wider. “Okay, what do you want?”

The older one leered at him. “You.”

Before he could yell or even close his door, she grabbed his hair. Black light surrounded her hand, making Jonathan dizzy and weak. With a gasp, he collapsed to the floor.

Realizing that Jonathan was still conscious, Gypsum placed her hand on his forehead. The additional black energy plunged him into dreamless darkness. She stared at him until she was satisfied that he would be out long enough.

“Come on, Galena,” she ordered, grabbing Jonathan by his limp arms. “Scorpios is waiting.”

* * * * *

Celeste turned the locks of the door of her hotel room. She was still fighting jet-lag as her body tried to set its clock to the local time. Dropping her purse by the night stand, she walked to the small table.

She turned on her computer, listening to the beeps and whirls of the machine. While waiting for it to start, she got ready for bed. It felt good to be in her pajamas and brush her teeth. Turning off the bathroom light, she headed back to the computer.

She quickly logged on and went to her mailbox. Scanning through the list of messages, she was disappointed to find no message from Jonathan. Absently, Celeste read through the rest, including another plea from Dr. Armstrong to stay in school. Sighing, she realized that she really wasn’t paying attention to anything she was reading. She logged off and shut the computer down, snapping the lid closed.

Celeste tried to rid herself of the disappointment. She couldn’t expect Jonathan to wait around for a message from her, she told herself. He has his own life.

She pulled down the covers and got into bed. Pulling herself into an almost fetal position, Celeste pulled the covers over her shoulder. ‘Maybe he’ll write back tomorrow,’ she thought. Then she drifted off to sleep.

* * * * *

They had been walking forever, walking so long that her legs were numb and no longer protested their abuse. Charon continued steadily before her, no visible sign that he was exhausted. Yet, he had to be, she thought. No one could keep this up for ever.

It was so cold. The wind seemed to slice through her as her uniform offering little protection. Charon fared little better. His white dress shirt and his black pants offered a little more protection from the wind. Not much more, but enough to make her envious.

Charon paused, looking back over his shoulder. He waited for her to catch up. “It can’t be much further. If we don’t find it soon, we will rest for a moment.”

She nodded. The mission was what mattered. It was why they were on this frozen moon far from home.

“We have to find it soon," she said, her voice muffled by the wind.

"We will," Charon promised. "We will."


Complications Jonathan looked up from his pile of textbooks, dismayed to find that it was already seven o’clock. It seemed that only a few minutes ago he had come home from class and started studying for his exams. The evening had gone by too quickly. He realized with a start that he had not checked his e-mail. ‘I hope she has written me back,’ he thought as he returned to his bedroom. Forcing himself not to analyze this eagerness to hear from Celeste, Jonathan logged on and quickly went to his mailbox. His smile broadened as he read her name as one of the senders. Ignoring the other messages, which included one from a professor, he open Celeste’s message. Jonathan, hi. I got your card and it was hilarious. So far I haven’t encounter any women in kimonos, but I will be on the lookout. I am pretty jet-lagged but I am functional. Setsuna and I are going to spend the day together, visiting some of her friends. We’ll see how it goes. I will tell you more later, when I can. --Celeste He reread the message a couple of times, debating on what to write in his reply. ‘I don’t think Celeste would appreciate ‘Hi, I am miserable without you. Please come home.’ I don’t think that she is ready to hear that.’ His musings were interrupted by his doorbell. Muttering under his breath, he headed for the door. Through the peephole, he saw two women dressed entirely in black. ‘Great, salespeople,’ he thought, rolling his eyes as he unlocked the door. ‘I hope they go away without a fuss.’ He opened the door. “Look, ladies, whatever you are selling, I am not interested. Sorry. Good night.” The younger one stuck her foot in the door, blocking Jonathan’s attempt at closing it. “Sir,” her voice sugary sweet, “we won’t take much of your time.” “We have an important proposition you must be a part of,” her companion added. Their eagerness disturbed him slightly, but Jonathan dismissed the feeling. Sighing, he opened the door wider. “Okay, what do you want?” The older one leered at him. “You.” Before he could yell or even close his door, she grabbed his hair. Black light surrounded her hand, making Jonathan dizzy and weak. With a gasp, he collapsed to the floor. Realizing that Jonathan was still conscious, Gypsum placed her hand on his forehead. The additional black energy plunged him into dreamless darkness. She stared at him until she was satisfied that he would be out long enough. “Come on, Galena,” she ordered, grabbing Jonathan by his limp arms. “Scorpios is waiting.” * * * * * Celeste turned the locks of the door of her hotel room. She was still fighting jet-lag as her body tried to set its clock to the local time. Dropping her purse by the night stand, she walked to the small table. She turned on her computer, listening to the beeps and whirls of the machine. While waiting for it to start, she got ready for bed. It felt good to be in her pajamas and brush her teeth. Turning off the bathroom light, she headed back to the computer. She quickly logged on and went to her mailbox. Scanning through the list of messages, she was disappointed to find no message from Jonathan. Absently, Celeste read through the rest, including another plea from Dr. Armstrong to stay in school. Sighing, she realized that she really wasn’t paying attention to anything she was reading. She logged off and shut the computer down, snapping the lid closed. Celeste tried to rid herself of the disappointment. She couldn’t expect Jonathan to wait around for a message from her, she told herself. He has his own life. She pulled down the covers and got into bed. Pulling herself into an almost fetal position, Celeste pulled the covers over her shoulder. ‘Maybe he’ll write back tomorrow,’ she thought. Then she drifted off to sleep. * * * * * They had been walking forever, walking so long that her legs were numb and no longer protested their abuse. Charon continued steadily before her, no visible sign that he was exhausted. Yet, he had to be, she thought. No one could keep this up for ever. It was so cold. The wind seemed to slice through her as her uniform offering little protection. Charon fared little better. His white dress shirt and his black pants offered a little more protection from the wind. Not much more, but enough to make her envious. Charon paused, looking back over his shoulder. He waited for her to catch up. “It can’t be much further. If we don’t find it soon, we will rest for a moment.” She nodded. The mission was what mattered. It was why they were on this frozen moon far from home. “We have to find it soon," she said, her voice muffled by the wind. "We will," Charon promised. "We will."


Chapter 10: Captivity Resurrection: Sailor Sol Sarah's Sanctuary