Chapter 6: The Captain's Dilemma

She clenched her fists as she marched toward the throne room. Several of the guards snickered as she passed, well aware of her predicament. She glared at them from the corner of her dark brown, almost black, eyes as she walked past each laughing sentry. She wasn’t one of the youngest military officers of the Shadow Moon Empire for nothing.

‘You will all pay,’ she vowed. However, her vengeance would have to wait. Now, she would have to face the king and his displeasure.

She marched briskly through the massive metal doors, stopping only to bow before proceeding to the throne.

“Your Highness,” one of the attendants announced, “Captain Carina Essou, one of the youngest officers in your service.”

Carina bowed again and kept her eyes lowered to a respectful height.

The king studied her thoughtfully for a moment. “Carina Essou,” he repeated thoughtfully. “Ah, yes, you are involved with the patrol units, um, around the old ruins.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she replied. “I have just returned from our latest rounds. We encountered some problems.”

“Problems?” The king lifted one silver eyebrow as disapproval began to show on his face. “What problems?”

“We encountered a group of rebels. A conflict resulted and some of the men were injured, Your Majesty. Some of the rebels were injured as well but were able to escape detainment.”

The king drummed his fingers against one of the arms of his throne. “You are telling me, Captain Essou, that a unit of my men were defeated by a group of rebels. Worse yet, they were able to injure you and escape, although they suffered injuries as well. Is that what you are saying, Captain?”

Carina swallowed hard. “Yes, Your Highness, I am.”

The king gave a snort of disgust. “Against my better judgment and the advice of my councilors, I am giving you and your men a chance to redeem yourselves. You will wait further orders.”

She bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“You are dismissed, Captain.”

She clicked her heels together and left the room. The king watched her leave the room and then turned to his attendant. He snapped his fingers and the man knelt beside the throne.

“Your wish, Your Highness?”

“Send someone to find Celod. I wish to speak with him about his missions.”

* * * * *

“Well, well, well,” a deep voice laughed, “it looks like Rina is still lucky after all.”

She turned and faced him, her eyes narrowed into an evil glare though the man had several inches on her.

“That’s Captain Essou to you, soldier,” she spat.

Greven crossed his arms across his massive chest and returned her glare.

“Tell me, Greven,” her tone conversational, “are you still waiting for a promotion or have you managing to demote yourself completely?”

The contortion of his face in pure rage told her that he was still furious about her winning the title of captain instead of him. He closed the gap between with three strides.

“You won’t be so smug for much longer, Rina,” he growled. “Word about your little fiasco has gotten around.”

With her back ramrod straight, she closed the few remaining inches between them. “As an officer, I’d advise you to treat me accordingly. Understood, soldier?”

“Yes,” he muttered.

“I didn’t hear you, soldier,” she shouted.

“Yes, sir, captain, sir,” he shouted back.

“Dismissed, Greven.” She noted the murderous look on his face as he saluted, turned, and marched away.

‘I may not have the designation of captain much longer,’ she thought with a smile as she headed quickly to her quarters, ‘but I do enjoy moments like these.’

* * * * *

Celod glanced from Scylla’s pale face to the door of the cell at the knock.

“I’ll be back,” he said, as if they had been sharing a normal conversation.

Scylla forced her head back although it seemed to be made of lead. Whatever was put in her food was making her more ill. She was slowly losing the will to hold up against Celod but more frightening to the Guardian, was losing her ability to think. Each thought took so much effort.

‘By the House of Light, someone help me,’ she prayed, ‘or let this end quickly.’

She thought of her sister and her friends. She wondered what they were doing. Were they searching for her? Did they even know that she was gone?

She held her eyes tightly closed, fighting back the tears. She had never felt lonelier in her entire night, not even when her parents died. Not even when Almathea had disappeared. During her darkest moments, Dido had always been there.

If any of the other Guardians were going to find her, it would be her twin sister. Knowing her sister’s stubbornness and loyalty, she would come after her. ‘I will stay strong,’ Scylla told herself, ‘for Dido and myself.’

She hoped that she could keep her promise.

* * * * *

“You sent for me, Your Highness,” Celod said, rising from a bow.

The king nodded slightly. “I have. I need to know about your missions on Jupiter.”

“What is it that you wish to know?”

“Do they know what has befallen on the woman you call Ilene? Do they know of us? You have yet to give me a full report, occupied by the prize you brought back with you.”

Celod smiled. “My prize realized that it was the Redolarian curse. She is the only capable of administering the curse, which is one of the reasons I brought her back with me. A search party was sent here to find cure, composed of the Prince, the Princess, and the Guardians Cassandra and Dido. Yet, without my prisoner, they will not be able to save Ilene.”

The king waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Yes, yes, but why is the woman important. Your mission was to eliminate the Princess or the Prince of Jupiter.”

Celod lowered his head. “I tried, Your Majesty. However, Lady Ilene drank from the cup I intended to give to the Princess. Yet, the situation is still very beneficial to us and our cause, Your Highness.”

“How so?”

“Lady Ilene is also Sailor Io, one of the guardians of the Sol System. Her death will be very traumatic, especially to the Princess of Jupiter as her sister. Even as we speak, the Princess of Jupiter is here on Cignus. You can now strike at your leisure.”

The king studied Celod thoughtfully for a moment and then smiled. “You realize that you should be punished for your failure.”

Celod’s smile faltered, while the king’s smile grew crueler.

“However,” the monarch stated, “you have given me important information and demonstrated great loyalty. You may return to your guest, Celod.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After he had left the room, the king turned once more to his attendant. “Summon Captain Essou. I have her next assignment.”


The Captain’s Dilemma She clenched her fists as she marched toward the throne room. Several of the guards snickered as she passed, well aware of her predicament. She glared at them from the corner of her dark brown, almost black, eyes as she walked past each laughing sentry. She wasn’t one of the youngest military officers of the Shadow Moon Empire for nothing. ‘You will all pay,’ she vowed. However, her vengeance would have to wait. Now, she would have to face the king and his displeasure. She marched briskly through the massive metal doors, stopping only to bow before proceeding to the throne. “Your Highness,” one of the attendants announced, “Captain Carina Essou, one of the youngest officers in your service.” Carina bowed again and kept her eyes lowered to a respectful height. The king studied her thoughtfully for a moment. “Carina Essou,” he repeated thoughtfully. “Ah, yes, you are involved with the patrol units, um, around the old ruins.” “Yes, Your Highness,” she replied. “I have just returned from our latest rounds. We encountered some problems.” “Problems?” The king lifted one silver eyebrow as disapproval began to show on his face. “What problems?” “We encountered a group of rebels. A conflict resulted and some of the men were injured, Your Majesty. Some of the rebels were injured as well but were able to escape detainment.” The king drummed his fingers against one of the arms of his throne. “You are telling me, Captain Essou, that a unit of my men were defeated by a group of rebels. Worse yet, they were able to injure you and escape, although they suffered injuries as well. Is that what you are saying, Captain?” Carina swallowed hard. “Yes, Your Highness, I am.” The king gave a snort of disgust. “Against my better judgment and the advice of my councilors, I am giving you and your men a chance to redeem yourselves. You will wait further orders.” She bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness.” “You are dismissed, Captain.” She clicked her heels together and left the room. The king watched her leave the room and then turned to his attendant. He snapped his fingers and the man knelt beside the throne. “Your wish, Your Highness?” “Send someone to find Celod. I wish to speak with him about his missions.” * * * * * “Well, well, well,” a deep voice laughed, “it looks like Rina is still lucky after all.” She turned and faced him, her eyes narrowed into an evil glare though the man had several inches on her. “That’s Captain Essou to you, soldier,” she spat. Greven crossed his arms across his massive chest and returned her glare. “Tell me, Greven,” her tone conversational, “are you still waiting for a promotion or have you managing to demote yourself completely?” The contortion of his face in pure rage told her that he was still furious about her winning the title of captain instead of him. He closed the gap between with three strides. “You won’t be so smug for much longer, Rina,” he growled. “Word about your little fiasco has gotten around.” With her back ramrod straight, she closed the few remaining inches between them. “As an officer, I’d advise you to treat me accordingly. Understood, soldier?” “Yes,” he muttered. “I didn’t hear you, soldier,” she shouted. “Yes, sir, captain, sir,” he shouted back. “Dismissed, Greven.” She noted the murderous look on his face as he saluted, turned, and marched away. ‘I may not have the designation of captain much longer,’ she thought with a smile as she headed quickly to her quarters, ‘but I do enjoy moments like these.’ * * * * * Celod glanced from Scylla’s pale face to the door of the cell at the knock. “I’ll be back,” he said, as if they had been sharing a normal conversation. Scylla forced her head back although it seemed to be made of lead. Whatever was put in her food was making her more ill. She was slowly losing the will to hold up against Celod but more frightening to the Guardian, was losing her ability to think. Each thought took so much effort. ‘By the House of Light, someone help me,’ she prayed, ‘or let this end quickly.’ She thought of her sister and her friends. She wondered what they were doing. Were they searching for her? Did they even know that she was gone? She held her eyes tightly closed, fighting back the tears. She had never felt lonelier in her entire night, not even when her parents died. Not even when Almathea had disappeared. During her darkest moments, Dido had always been there. If any of the other Guardians were going to find her, it would be her twin sister. Knowing her sister’s stubbornness and loyalty, she would come after her. ‘I will stay strong,’ Scylla told herself, ‘for Dido and myself.’ She hoped that she could keep her promise. * * * * * “You sent for me, Your Highness,” Celod said, rising from a bow. The king nodded slightly. “I have. I need to know about your missions on Jupiter.” “What is it that you wish to know?” “Do they know what has befallen on the woman you call Ilene? Do they know of us? You have yet to give me a full report, occupied by the prize you brought back with you.” Celod smiled. “My prize realized that it was the Redolarian curse. She is the only capable of administering the curse, which is one of the reasons I brought her back with me. A search party was sent here to find cure, composed of the Prince, the Princess, and the Guardians Cassandra and Dido. Yet, without my prisoner, they will not be able to save Ilene.” The king waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Yes, yes, but why is the woman important. Your mission was to eliminate the Princess or the Prince of Jupiter.” Celod lowered his head. “I tried, Your Majesty. However, Lady Ilene drank from the cup I intended to give to the Princess. Yet, the situation is still very beneficial to us and our cause, Your Highness.” “How so?” “Lady Ilene is also Sailor Io, one of the guardians of the Sol System. Her death will be very traumatic, especially to the Princess of Jupiter as her sister. Even as we speak, the Princess of Jupiter is here on Cignus. You can now strike at your leisure.” The king studied Celod thoughtfully for a moment and then smiled. “You realize that you should be punished for your failure.” Celod’s smile faltered, while the king’s smile grew crueler. “However,” the monarch stated, “you have given me important information and demonstrated great loyalty. You may return to your guest, Celod.” “Thank you, Your Majesty.” After he had left the room, the king turned once more to his attendant. “Summon Captain Essou. I have her next assignment.”


Chapter 7: On the Homefront Jupiter's Gone