Full Circle

Part 1 of 5

Disclaimer: The story you see here is not for profit. Star Trek is copyrighted by Paramount, et al (i.e. not by Emily Bayma or Katie Radun) and Sailor Moon is copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, et al (similarly, not by Emily Bayma or Katie Radun). The Harry Potter elements, where present, are the property of J.K. Rowling et al (again, not Bayma or Radun). Any missed copyrighted material is similarly the property of its owner(s).The plot, the original characters, and original elements are copyrighted by the authoresses Bayma and Radun. This story may be archived elsewhere if permission is expressly given by Bayma or Radun and this disclaimer is attached. A Character Guide is available if you are unfamiliar with any/all of the characters. Permission, comments, questions, and praise may all be addressed to sagory@deviating.org.That is all.

<>There is space in the background<>

Space: The final frontier.

A starship zooms across the screen

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....

Abruptly the narrator is cut off by an unfamiliar song. Extensive research has revealed a name for it: Moonlight Densetsu. As it plays, the ones called Sailor Senshi appear. Eight shadows appear behind them and squash most of them, two escape.

As they are carried off, another Senshi and a girl appear. They frantically search for something, but disappear after a fruitless search. They appear on the starship Enterprise, as Moonlight Densetsu is interrupted and a woman singing opera comes on. Another Senshi disappears.

The scene switches to Princess Serenity and Captain Kirk shaking hands. The Senshi flank the princess while the crew of the Enterprise flank Kirk. The new Senshi and her normal looking friend hover nearby, obviously unassociated with either party. The scene fades out.

The Time Gate and Pluto appear out of the darkness. Pluto gestures and the Gate opens to reveal another scene....

RRIINNGGGG!!!!

Usagi shot up in bed. "Oh gods, I'm gonna be soooo late! Why didn't anyone wake me up?! I..." As she began dragging on her clothes, she finally noticed the other occupants of her room. Rei was frowning near the door. Ami was sitting on a cushion, working on her computer. Makoto and Minako were sitting at the end of the bed while Chibi-Usa held up the alarm clock triumphantly.

By now, Usagi had read the clock. It was seven thirty on a Saturday morning. Chibi-Usa smiled at Rei. "See, I told ya I could get her up before eight! That'll be ten bucks, better pay up!" Rei grudgingly dug out ten while Ami finally put her computer away and Usagi finished dressing. "Hey guys," Usagi began, "wanna go shopping?"

Rei snorted. "That's why we came and got you up, Odango Atama. You wanna hurry up?"

Usagi sniffed. "Aw Rei, why're you always so mean? I don't get it..."

Minako had had enough of this. "Okay guys, take a chill pill. We going shopping or not?"

Usagi turned her waterworks down to a trickle. "Of COURSE we're going shopping!" She grasped her communicator and called the Outer Senshi, who promised to meet them downtown.

* * * * * * * * *

Pluto studied the whirlpool of time intently. A ripping sound attracted her attention. She watched as the rip grew in size and she gasped in alarm. "Neptune!" she called.

Neptune walked out of the shadows. "What's up, Pluto?"

"There will be an attack downtown today. Something bad will happen to the Senshi. Here's what I want you to do..."

* * * * * * * * *

"How does this look on me?" Minako was wearing a bright yellow evening gown with a non-existent neckline.

Haruka looked up. "It looks fine, Minako."

The sound of a skylight breaking claimed their attention. Usagi looked slightly worried but covered it up quickly. "Moon Cosmic Power, Make up!"

The others looked at each other before calling out their respective phrases. When they had finished, Mercury and Pluto were noticeably absent. "Where are Mercury and Pluto?" Mars asked.

"No time to worry now," Uranus said. "We've got to stop them!"

"Sailor Senshi! Come out and play!" a voice called.

Sailor Moon paled, as did the Inner Senshi.

"What is it?" Saturn asked. "I recognize the voice," Sailor Moon said quietly. "It's Rubeus."

Uranus cracked her knuckles readily. "Let's go get him!"

"Sailor Senshi!" A feminine voice cooed. "FACE US!!"

"Oh no!" Venus said. "He's resurrected himself and changed the Uncanny Sisters back!"

The Senshi ran for the mall courtyard to meet Rubeus, the Uncanny Sisters, Dimando, Safiir and Esmeraude.

Dimando cackled evilly. "Sailor Moon, you thought you were rid of us. Now we will triumph because you won't interfere!"

"Prince Dimando," Sailor Moon pleaded, "I thought you were good at heart. I thought you had all changed your ways."

Esmeraude crossed the short distance to Sailor Moon and slapped her across the face. "Wake up, baka! This isn't playtime anymore! Prince?"

Dimando nodded and cast a spell over the Senshi. As he carted them away, he didn't see Mercury and Pluto arrive and quickly disappear.

* * * * * * * * *

"Pluto," Mercury said warningly. "We could have done something!"

Pluto shook her head. "We need help. We couldn't do it even if we still had all the Senshi." Pluto cocked her head to the side as a thought entered her mind. "And I know just the people to call. They might even make a planetary call just for us."

* * * * * * * * *

Captain Kirk carefully picked himself off the deck of the U.S.S Enterprise. Trying to ignore his pounding headache, he called out, "Mr. Spock! Report!"

Spock answered promptly, "Unknown, captain. Our sensors were damaged during this..." he hesitated slightly, "incident."

Looking around, Kirk noticed that most of the bridge crew was back at their respective stations. Scotty was helping Uhura back into her seat at the communications console before getting into the turbolift, presumably on his way to see what all the shaking had done to the ship. In front of Kirk, Sulu and Chekov were back in their seats and were discussing something heatedly. Before Kirk had a chance to ask them what was wrong, a light lit up on the armrest of his chair. Someone from Sickbay wanted to talk to him, surprise surprise. He pushed the button.

"Yes, Bones, everyone's fine and no, we don't know what happened," Kirk said.

A surprised Southern drawl answered him. "Goodness, Jim! Am I really getting that predictable?" Kirk decided it was a rhetorical question and didn't answer. McCoy spoke again. "Anyway, I know you, Jim, and you could be dying and you would say nothing was wrong. That's why I'm going to come up there and check you out anyway."

"Fine Bones, whatever you say." Kirk had a hunch that McCoy just wanted to be on the bridge when they found out what was going on. He remembered that Sulu and Chekov had been discussing something just as...

"Sulu, I'm telling you! It's the only possible explanation!" Chekov said loudly. Realizing that everyone was now staring at him, he lowered his voice. "I know it would be nice, but it just couldn't be. I'm really sorry I have to burst your bubble, but it isn't," Chekov finished.

Slowly Sulu nodded and smiled at his helm partner. "I know, but it would've been nice, wouldn't it?"

Chekov smiled his trademark lopsided grin. "Da, it would have." All of a sudden he turned serious. "But we still have no idea where we are! I mean we do, but we couldn't be, so we can't be, but we are..."

Uhura piped up, "Honey, you're babbling again."

"Oh sorry, but I can't help but be confused," Chekov said sheepishly.

Kirk interjected, "Would the two of you mind telling me what has the two of you so worked up?" Everyone was quiet. Sulu and Chekov just stared at each other. It was at this moment that McCoy decided to arrive on the bridge.

"Well, now I know something's wrong," he muttered, not so quietly, under his breath. "It's never this quiet up here."

Spock stepped in just before McCoy could say anything else. "I believe I know what Mr. Sulu and Mr. Chekov are 'so worked up about', as you say, sir."

"Don't leave us waiting in suspense, Spock! Tell me what just happened to my ship!"

"Yes sir," Spock said, totally unfazed by Kirk's outburst. "If you would, Mr. Sulu, the main view."

The viewscreen flickered momentarily before coming into focus. On the screen was the unmistakable picture of a blue and green planet called Earth. It was even quieter on the bridge before McCoy broke the silence with a whispered, "Great Bird!"

Kirk spoke next, "Spock, is that what I think it is?" If it were, it would explain Sulu and Chekov's conversation.

"I am attempting to determine that at this time."

Kirk settled himself for the wait by reviewing some of the numerous reports that Yeoman Rand had prepped for his signature. Fuel consumption...crew evaluations...another notice for his physical...

A beep at the communications console attracted his attention. Uhura picked it up and patiently listened. Spock bent over his console, peering at the equations and miscellaneous babble that appeared there. Kirk turned impassively in his chair as Uhura got his attention.

"Sir, Mr. Scott reports that the engines have taken several blows. There is major damage and he claims it will take several hours to fix, possibly a day."

"We seem to have our work cut out for us," Kirk mused. "Tell Scotty to give me an estimate, and maybe something monumental will happen in the intervening time."

McCoy piped up. "Spock could find something that's not scientific to preoccupy himself with."

Spock turned and raised an eyebrow at him before returning to deciphering the babble on his screen.

* * * * * * * * *

Nearly two hours later, Kirk finally broke the efficient silence of the bridge. "Status report?"

The bridge was quiet until a new voice spoke up. "Not good."

Kirk turned and faced the newcomer, standing next to Uhura's communications console. It was a teenage girl, wearing a short blue sailor outfit that matched her hair and eyes. "Who the hell are you, and what do you think you're doing here, just popping in like that?" Kirk questioned, jumping up out of his chair. By this time, the phasers were trained on her.

"No need to try and kill me. I need your help desperately," she pleaded. "I'm Mercury. An enemy is invading my planet and I can't defend it alone."

Chapel felt a twinge of compassion for her. "Don't worry, we'll help," she said, glancing meaningfully at Kirk. If he started to say they wouldn't she swore she'd...anyway, she led her down the steps so she could sit down on them, but Chekov jumped up from his seat and gestured her into it.

Chapel smiled gratefully at him. Mercury said softly, "Thanks, I needed a rest."

Chekov kneeled down next to her and said softly, "What's wrong? You look terrified. I should know, it's a common state with me." He was trying to coax a smile out of her.

"Everything's wrong!" Mercury practically shouted, ignoring his attempt to cheer her up. Chapel rolled her eyes at Chekov, pushed him aside, and put her arm around the shaking teenager's shoulder, trying to calm her down. Eventually, with Chekov's help, she led Mercury away towards temporary quarters, eager to learn more about her.

* * * * * * * * *

When Mercury woke up, the first thing she thought was, *Where am I?* She saw a shadow flutter across her peripheral vision. In a surge of adrenaline, she shot up out of the bed and was about to bolt for the door when she recognized whom it was.

"Miss Chapel!" she exclaimed, relief washing over her. Chapel handed her a cup of what looked like orange juice but tasted sweeter. She nodded her thanks and drank it thirstily.

Chapel smiled. "I thought you'd want something. You've been asleep for nearly two hours. The captain wants to see you as soon as you're able."

Mercury smiled gratefully. "Thank you. Are you a nurse?" At Chapel's nod, she continued shyly, "I want to be a doctor someday." She and Chapel talked together for a while, becoming fast friends.

After a time, Chapel stood up. "Do you think that you're ready to face the captain?"

Mercury smiled and stood. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied. "Let's go."

As they strolled towards the turbolift at the end of the hallway, Mercury wondered just what she was going to tell the captain and the crew of this mysterious ship.

* * * * * * * * *

Sailor Mercury entered the conference room, ready to answer any question that she thought the Enterprise crew could throw at her. Already sitting at the table was Kirk, who was talking about engine fluxes with Spock, Scott and Chekov, who was working on a data pad, his head bent over it with intense concentration. Sulu and Uhura were in the corner, talking about what they were doing after shift. Since everyone was there, they sat down on the left side of the table. Sulu tapped Chekov on the shoulder, but the ensign was too engrossed in the data pad to notice.

Uhura smiled at him. "Don't tell me you like doing that kind of stuff."

"Huh?" was his only reply, wondering what her statement had to do with navigational equations.

Mercury sat down in the only empty chair left, next to the preoccupied Chekov. She glanced over his shoulder to gaze at the datapad. She pointed. "There's your problem. The anomalies of the space time rift you traveled through caused your navigational deflector to become misaligned."

Chekov stared. "You know, you're pretty smart for a teenager."

Kirk cleared his throat. "Could we begin?"

Mercury couldn't help. She began to giggle. Chekov caught it and began chuckling. His deep chuckle blended with Mercury's and was soon joined by everyone except Spock, who merely raised an eyebrow. After they all felt more at ease, Kirk cleared his throat again. "Who sent you here?"

Mercury glanced at him. "Sailor Pluto sent me here. I'm Sailor Mercury."

Chekov extended his hand. "Velcome to the U.S.S. Enterprise, Mercury. I'm Ensign Pavel Chekov."

Mercury shook it and further introductions were made. "Sailor Pluto is the Guardian of Time."

"We know," Kirk said to her. "Pluto is a friend of mine and sometimes takes long voyages with us."

"She does?" Chekov asked innocently.

"Yes, she, um, travels with me," Kirk said sheepishly. Everyone except Mercury simultaneously rolled their eyes groaned.

"What?" Mercury asked curiously. "Did I miss something?"

"Trust me," McCoy said. "You don't want to know."

Kirk was desperately trying to change the subject. "Getting back to the task at hand, do you know where the other Senshi are? We should meet with all of them, shouldn't we?"

Mercury looked down. "They've been captured by our current archenemy, the Black Moon Clan."

Chekov grinned. "Scary music begins to play."

"Shut up! It's not funny!" Mercury burst out.

Taken aback, Chekov said, "Hey. Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it, really." He paused. "I think I'll shut up now."

"Good," Kirk said. "I wanna hear this. Who are these people?"

"As far as we know, a group of society outcasts from the 31st century. They are very powerful and extremely dangerous." Mercury looked a little scared. She finished her statement, whispering, "We nearly died last time."

"If they simply wanted to destroy you, why didn't they when they had the chance? Why did they take the other Sailor Senshi?" Sulu asked, putting his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his hand.

Mercury looked thoughtful. "I really don't know. I guess because they're following the Intergalactic Script for Super Villains. Act One, scene three: capture do-gooders and take them to secret lair."

"And you didn't like my joke," Chekov said with a smirk on his face.

"Well," Mercury said, grinning, "when you've fought so many that follow the exact same pattern, you tend to think that there is one."

"It even crosses different realities. That's how it usually goes where we come from too..."

Chekov was about to say more when Kirk interjected. "Back on the subject, people! What would they want with your friends?" He sent Chekov an icy glare that he hoped would keep him quiet for a while.

"We are the defenders of Earth. To conquer it, you would need to defeat us." Mercury gave Kirk an innocent smile. "Surely you know that."

"Where we come from, people don't try to conquer Earth every day," he said sarcastically.

"That still doesn't explain why they kept them alive," Uhura reminded them.

"We don't know if they're alive," Sulu interjected.

"Sailor Moon is, at least," Mercury put in. "One of their leaders loves her."

"That means there's a good chance that the rest are alive," Spock said. "If he loved her, then it is logical to assume that she would have the other Sailor Senshi kept alive. He would be most likely to do what she said."

"On the contrary, Mr. Spock," Mercury disagreed politely. "Dimando is more likely to kill them and keep Sailor Moon alive."

Kirk was now thoroughly frustrated with these little tangents. "People please!" To Mercury, he asked, "Where's Pluto?"

"In the Time Vortex." Mercury bent her head to the communicator that suddenly appeared on her wrist. "Pluto? I need you here."

A flash of dark green announced Pluto's arrival. "Pleasure to see you again, Jim."

Kirk got to his feet. "Setsuna, I missed you." He embraced her. "We'll talk later. Right now, we have work to do."

"I don't see what we can do, Jim. As the saying goes, my hands, at least, are tied. I can't find the other Sailor Senshi because they aren't being held within a normal timeline. Being there cuts off communication and hides their location from my prying. I'm afraid I have no idea where they are." She looked sadly at Mercury. "I'm sorry, but I can't see how I could be of any help."

"Captain, I believe that the only option still open to us is to wait until the adversaries strike again, and see if that leads us to any clues of what is really going to transpire," Spock concluded.

"As usual, Mr. Spock, you are correct, but I wish we could do more," Kirk conceded.

"Sometimes the best action is inaction," Spock pointed out.

Kirk sighed. "All right, this meeting is adjourned." Everyone left except Chekov, Chapel and Mercury, whose visor and computer were in attendance.

Chekov looked over her shoulder. It was a myriad of complex equations, written partially in Japanese, beyond his understanding. "What are you doing?"

Mercury sighed. "My computer can trace the others, the existing program just needs to be modified. I can't figure out the configurations I need."

Chekov whistled. "Beyond me. Wanna go somewhere and relax with us?"

"Sure." Mercury tweaked her earring and put her computer into her subspace pocket. She followed Chekov and Chapel out the door and into the passageway. "Where are we going?" she asked. She hadn't had time to memorize the ship's layout, and was afraid she might get lost.

Chekov and Chapel looked at each other. "Are you hungry?" Chapel asked. Now that Mercury thought about it, she hadn't eaten anything since this whole thing started.

"For fear of sounding like Usagi," she quipped, "I'm starved!"

Chekov smiled. "Then let's go to the rec room," he said, gesturing for the two women to go ahead of him to the turbolift.

After exiting the lift, Chapel went over to the replicators. "What does everyone want?" she asked.

"Just tea for me, thanks," Chekov said, sitting down.

"And you?" Chapel asked, looking at Mercury.

"Um..." Mercury thought fast. "Just sushi," she said finally, taking the most famous Japanese food.

"Isn't that the same stuff Sulu likes?" Chapel wondered.

Chekov made a face, clearly expressing his opinion of it. "Yes."

Mercury grinned. "Well, it is very good. I see Sulu has good taste."

"Ha, ha," Chekov said. "Very funny."

Suddenly, a klaxon started blaring. "This is not a drill! Red Alert!"

Chekov jumped up and dragged Mercury along. "We're needed on the bridge," he explained hurriedly.

***********

Prince Dimando twirled his wineglass thoughtfully. "That was way too easy. I am surprised at the lack of resistance." His eyes flashed. "At least I have my prize. Serenity will be my queen."

Esmeraude rushed in and bowed hurriedly. "My prince, two Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen are not with the others."

Dimando glared at Safiir. "I thought you said we'd capture all. WHAT WENT WRONG?!"

Safiir flinched and Rubeus stepped forward. "The Senshi and Cape Boy never showed up, otherwise we would've had them. What shall we do now, my Prince?"

Dimando didn't look happy. "Find the Senshi. Cape Boy is useless on his own." He grinned evilly. "I must go see my bride. You're dismissed."

The room cleared and Dimando teleported away. He appeared in Serenity's room, where she lay sleeping on the bed. Her resistance to the brainwashing had sucked up most of her energy, but she had submitted. Her protectors were harder, but they too had submitted. He pounded his fist into his open palm. Those damn Senshi! He'd finally figured out who was missing: the Time bitch Pluto and meek little Mercury. Safiir better find them. A stirring on the bed attracted his attention. Ah, she was finally awake.

Serenity opened her eyes and smiled at Dimando. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Only a few hours, my pet." Dimando bent and kissed her. "Would you like refreshment?" He offered her his arm.

"That would be lovely." Dimando led her out of the room.

* * * * * * * * *

Safiir studied the printout in his lab. It indicated powerful energies and Senshi-like auras orbiting Earth. He jumped up and ran for Dimando. He figured Serenity would be awake, so he went to the Senshi quarters, and hoped they were there. In his haste, he ran directly into Uranus.

"Watch it!" Uranus snarled. "We may be allies but that doesn't mean we like it. Stay out of our way!"

Safiir took another step back as the others came up. He'd never battled the Outer Senshi and didn't care to try his luck. "I'm sorry, okay? I have important news for the Prince and Princess! Where are they?"

Venus snarled. "Does it look like we know?"

"Well, you are the Princess's damn protectors."

Uranus took a step forward. "What did you say?"

Esmeraude, Rubeus and the Uncanny Sisters appeared behind Safiir. "You heard him, bitch!" Rubeus growled.

Neptune glared at him. "Who invited the Peanut Gallery?"

Safiir threw a shockwave upwards. "Does any damned villain know where the Prince and Princess are?!"

Beruche stepped forward. "They're dining."

"THANK you," he said sarcastically, teleporting away.

He reappeared and bowed to them. "My Prince and Princess, I found powerful energies orbiting Earth."

Serenity nodded. "Excellent, Safiir. Dimando?"

He cleared his throat. "Send Sailor Venus and Rubeus here; we'll let them deal with it." Safiir nodded, and relayed the summons.

* * * * * * * * *

Pisces hummed happily to herself as she flipped the pancakes, thoroughly enraptured with the process. In the months they'd spent on this ranch, she'd been making breakfast herself every day, never using magic. She was proud of herself.

"Oh gods, Pisces...you've gotten domestic!" a disgusted voice exclaimed from behind her.

She turned. "We have a doorbell, Pluto. Maybe you could have the decency to use it next time."

"I have a matter to discuss with you," Pluto said icily, her tone the only sign of her hearing Pisces's rebuke. "It supercedes doorbells and pancakes."

"Take a seat Pluto, before I change my mind." Three-quarters of Pisces's attention returned to the pancakes.

Pluto sat, considering all she had to say and the best way to say it all. "There's a temporal emergency I need you to take care of," she said briskly.

"Another one?" Pisces questioned dryly. "It would suggest that you aren't doing your job correctly, with all the temporal emergencies I take care of for you."

Pluto let it slide by with a scowl. "Don't make me drag the Queen into this, Pisces."

"Oh, so I'm your personal assistant, am I?" Pisces poured more batter onto the griddle.

Pluto stood abruptly, whirling Pisces to face her. "Q has been mixing realities again, Pisces. You and I are the only ones qualified to diffuse the situation and I am, unfortunately, bound by the Gate. That leaves you."

"What's he done?" Pisces calmly turned back to the process of cooking.

"He's given the Black Moon Family new life and new powers. Undoubtedly they will go after the unprepared Senshi."

"And you aren't going because..."

Pluto sighed. "I'm already in that timeline," she said impatiently. "I can't be there twice."

"Aren't I already in it too?"

"No. You've already left."

It was Pisces's turn to sigh. "What year?"

"Late 1993. The Sailor Senshi's universe."

Another sigh from the chef. "I'll get on it...after breakfast."

"Good." A pause. "Take Dusha with you. Her technical expertise may be needed. I doubt Ares's assistance will be necessary."

"Fine, fine...whatever. Dush and I'll get on it after we eat." Pisces untied her apron and began to set the table, not bothering to acknowledge Pluto's departing flash of light.

* * * * * * * * *

Pisces, after calling the various males of the household to breakfast, mounted the stairs with Dusha's breakfast tray. The petite Russian was still recovering from her incarceration, but she was as close to fine as she'd get by staying in bed. "Morning, Dusha," she greeted, laying the tray on Dusha's lap and taking a cautious seat on the bed.

"Morning, Pisces," Dusha said with a little sigh in her voice. "No more breakfast in bed, okay?"

"Sure," Pisces agreed, tracing a finger idly over the patterns in the quilt on Dusha's bed.

Dusha eyed her suspiciously. "All right, what's going on?"

"Mission for Pluto. Apparently I'll need your help."

"Great," Dusha griped. "As long as I don't get killed, I'll go willingly. And no more experimentation."

Pisces laughed along with her best friend. "We'll leave after breakfast. I know you'll be thrilled to leave the ranch."

"You bet I am. Starfleet's technical journals and watching the vineyards around here are only so interesting, you know."

* * * * * * * * *

Pisces and Dusha materialized, and immediately the sensation of freefall grabbed them. Dusha crashed unceremoniously to the ground, while Pisces flipped and landed gracefully on her feet.

"Pisces," Dusha said shakily, accepting the hand Pisces offered her, "you've really got to get Pluto to get that thing fixed."

"Remind me to put it on my to-do list, Dusha," Pisces quipped lightly, hauling Dusha to her feet.

"No prob," Dusha answered, steadying herself. They smiled at each other, and looked around. They'd landed in an abandoned parking lot. "Pisces, you might want to change. Then you'll be inconspicuous, like me."

"As usual, Dusha," Pisces said, "an excellent idea." She changed into an orange tank top and jean shorts with sandals.

"Oh brother," was Dusha's only reply. "So, do you know what we're doing here? Looks to me like everything's okay. Of course, I'm just a normal ol' human and don't have any super powers like some people I know."

"Pluto wouldn't damage her pride by asking for my help unless something was dreadfully wrong," Pisces said. "Dimando is here somewhere; we just have to find him."

"Got any ideas of where that might be?"

Pisces sighed. "Nope. Pluto might be someplace, though. She said she couldn't be, but..." She abruptly cut off, her eyes darting around to glance at the passerby.

"What?" Dusha asked, concerned.

"I can't feel the Senshi's auras," she whispered. "They're not in the city."

"So Dimando's already been here," Dusha quipped. "Splendiferous."

Pisces rolled her eyes. "I'll try and contact her by telepathy."

* * * * * * * * *

"Okay, this is new..." Rubeus said. He and Sailor Venus stood looking at the Enterprise, deciding just how to take it down.

"I say we go and blow it up," Sailor Venus said excitedly.

"You would," Rubeus said, rolling his eyes. "We'd better get going anyway, so we can get this done and get back ASAP."

"Sure, whatever," Venus acknowledged him, and left Rubeus to follow in her wake.

* * * * * * * * *

Chapel, Chekov and Mercury arrived on the bridge, just as the ship was rocked by a force of...well, something. Pulsating energy was Mercury's guess. Chekov slipped into his seat and took a sidelong glance at Sulu. "What's happening?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the viewscreen.

"We don't know," Sulu admitted. "The ship is getting shaken by something, and we don't know who's doing it."

Mercury had her computer out in a flash. "I'm picking up two high-energy reading," she said slowly. "It's them, they've come for me. Look, I'll just leave and you won't get hurt..."

"No way!" Chekov and Chapel said at the same time. "Captain!" Chekov continued, "you can't let her..."

"I have no intention of letting her, Ensign, so just calm down."

"Thank you, sir."

Another surge of energy hit the ship, and the inertial dampeners temporarily went off-line, so everyone was thrown to the floor.

"Captain," Spock said, facing him, "Shields are down to 40%."

Mercury went down to the captain's chair. "You have to let me go!" she said despairingly.

"Please!" Kirk turned to her.

"Maybe if we had a plan..."

"Sir!" Chapel burst out.

"I'm just saying..."

"HELLO??"

Everyone on the bridge looked around, searching for the source of the voice that hailed them.

"CAN ANYONE HEAR ME???"

Kirk glanced around. "Can anyone else hear that?"

"Aye sir, I think we all can," Scotty said wryly.

"Jim, why don't you answer?" McCoy prodded.

"Uh, okay. Yes! We can hear you! Please identify yourself!"

* * * * * * * * *

Dusha watched as Pisces's face when through a waterfall of emotions. "What? What's happening?" she asked excitedly. She hated being left out of anything.

"Well, I've made contact with someone, 'cept I don't know where. They just asked who I was."

"So we're back to the original problem," Dusha concluded grumpily.

"Right," Pisces agreed grudgingly. She cocked her head, listening to voices only she could hear. Her eyes widened.

"What?" asked Dusha.

"These people are in trouble," Pisces reported. "I just heard one of them address Sailor Mercury."

Dusha's eyes widened excitedly. "So, at least one of the Senshi is with...whomever you're conversing with."

"Maybe she knows where Pluto is..." Pisces mused. "But first, I think we should help them."

"Why didn't you say so?" Dusha exclaimed. "If you can get me up there, I can probably help." She took a palm-sized computer out of her back pocket. "You know I'm pretty handy with computers." She booted up her computer and logged on.

All of a sudden, Pisces gasped. Dusha looked up. "What is it now?" she asked warily.

Pisces took Dusha's hands and started jumping up and down like a two-year-old. "Pluto's with them!" she sang. "They're on a starship, called the Enterprise, and they desperately need help." She grinned widely. "Maybe Dad's there...he wasn't the first CMO, and we don't know what time they're from, but it could be the right one!"

"Really?" Dusha was unable to keep a smirk off her face and the irony out of her tone. "And the plot thickens..."

"Whatever," Pisces said excitedly, already gathering the necessary energy to teleport.

"Let's go!" Dusha exclaimed. "We've got a starship to save!"

* * * * * * * * *

In the next seconds, the two women reappeared on the bridge of the starship Enterprise. "Pluto!" Pisces said half-chidingly. As she attempted to get closer to her, the ship was hit again.

"Shields down to 15%, sir," Spock reported.

"Hmm, fifteen percent. Not good, huh? Here, scootch over," Dusha said, forcefully pushing Spock out of his seat at the science station.

"Security to Bridge! Intruder Alert!" Uhura said into the com system.

"It's all right," Pluto said quickly, "I called them here."

"Really, we come in peace, now please shut up," Dusha said hurriedly, as her hands flew over the keyboard.

"What are you doing to my ship?" Kirk yelled.

"I'm trying to save it from being blown up, now please shut up!" Dusha said irritably.

"You should probably do as she says, Captain..." Pisces gestured for his name. She didn't feel that it was appropriate to confess that she knew it already, and she wasn't particularly comfortable with doing so at the moment.

"Kirk."

"Kirk," Pisces repeated, trying not to grin. "She can get really violent if interrupted while she's working." Another energy burst rocked the ship.

Spock glanced over Dusha's shoulder. "Shields at five percent, sir," Spock reported.

"SHUT UP!!" Dusha yelled. Everyone was quiet, waiting for the ship to be blown up. Everyone held their breath except Pisces, who seemed lost in her own little world. No one noticed that Dusha had stopped typing.

"Does anyone want some tea?" Dusha asked brightly.

"How could you ask that at a time like this?" McCoy wanted to know.

Dusha grinned. "Easy, I just did. We're not going to blow up; I've reconfigured your shields, watch," Dusha said, winking at an oblivious Pisces.

The next energy wave that hit the ship did not cause it to explode.

"Captain," Spock reported, "shields are at 25%." His voice bordered on skepticism, but never quite got there.

"But...how?" Kirk asked quizzically.

"Easy," Dusha cut in. "I reconfigured your shields so the energy shot at them would be absorbed and used to strengthen the shields, not destroy them."

"Amazing," Scott said. "Lassie, where did you learn to do that?"

Dusha paled slightly. "Learn it? Uh...I can't tell you."

"Why not?" Scott whined, unable to resist learning.

"Because I just can't, okay? Now does anyone want some tea?" she asked irritably.

"I'd love some," Chekov said as he turned around. "You want some, Sulu?"

"How 'bout coffee instead?" the helmsman suggested. Dusha's and Chekov's faces clearly reflected their views on the evil bean drink.

"You can get that nasty stuff yo'self," Dusha shot back.

Sulu looked slightly annoyed, but said nothing. Kirk looked confused and angry. "Okay, who the hell are you two?"

Pisces stepped forward. "Oh, I'm sorry...I'm Pisces and this is..."

Dusha cut in. "I'm the boogeyman."

Pisces glared at her. "Dusha, shut up! We're from the future."

"Fascinating. So are we," Spock informed them.

Pisces nodded. "We know."

"We did?" Dusha asked, giving Pisces a Look. Pisces's eyes widened and elbowed her.

"Yes, we did." She elbowed her again for emphasis.

Dusha was about to say something when her wrists were duct-taped together and more covered her mouth. Pisces looked smug. "There, now she can't object. As I was saying, we're from the future."

Chekov looked inquiringly at the saucy, duct-taped Russian. "Is she always like this?"

Pisces nodded. "Yes. I simply can't take her anywhere." She leaned closer to Chekov and said in a stage whisper, "Duct-tape can fix anything, you know."

Spock raised an eyebrow and Chekov grinned. "Anyway, why are you here?"

Pisces glanced at Pluto, who nodded. "I truly don't know," she admitted. "Pluto said that she needed mine and Dusha's help, and so we came. We didn't expect to see her or you or your ship here."

Pluto nodded. "I cannot stay and I expect you and Dusha to control the situation here."

Pisces waved a hand at Dusha and the duct-tape disappeared.

Dusha lunged at Pisces. "You little..." She paused as Pisces disappeared, sighing heavily. "I wish she wouldn't do that."

Pisces appeared on McCoy's shoulders. "You do, don't you?" She hopped off the befuddled doctor, winking at him. "Okay, next shot you take at me I'll ignore." Dusha looked at her and said nothing.

Kirk cleared his throat. "Maybe we should hold another meeting."

Pluto smiled. "Jim, it wouldn't help. Neither of us knows anything else."

He glanced at her. "Damn that curse of Time, Setsuna."

Chekov was deep in conversation with Dusha and Spock. They were discussing better weapons when Pisces gasped. "Venus and Rubeus are still outside!"

She grabbed Dusha, who protested. "Hey! What do you think you're..." They both disappeared.

Kirk glanced at the empty spaces that had previously contained the two women. "Mr. Chekov, ready photon torpedoes."

* * * * * * * * *

Pisces glared at Venus. "Get your sorry ass out of my sight."

Venus tossed her hair. "It'll be a pleasure to kill you, bitch."

"Invisibility Arc!" Pisces and Dusha disappeared. Venus and Rubeus glanced around warily. Rubeus had fought her and Venus had seen her fight, but neither wanted to risk getting killed, as they'd also seen her do.

"Element Barrage!" The mixed elements of fire, lightning, water, and others hit them. Venus threw her chain around, but Rubeus grabbed her arm. "That hurt more than last time! We know very well what she's capable of!"

Venus yanked her arm free and yelled, "I'll be back to kill you, bitch!" With that having been said, she and Rubeus disappeared.

* * * * * * * * *

Pisces and Dusha reappeared on the ship and Dusha turned to Pisces. "I said I hated it when you teleport! What makes you think I like it?" Dusha burst out.

"That's your freebie," Pisces warned.

"Yeb vas," Dusha said and turned away.

Pisces raised an eyebrow at her and Chekov laughed.

"Don't you love it when you can do that?" he asked Dusha.

"Knowing another language does have its benefits. Russian is da bomb, of course. But we all know that."

Pisces rolled her eyes. "Do you ever shut up about Russian? I can't speak it fluently, but I do know some things."

"Do you? You always complain about me talking, when you talk just as much as I do. It's not *my* fault that I don't have super-powers."

"Yes it is," Pisces countered. "You were offered them. It's not my fault you had a hundred reasons for why it was unorthodox." She grumbled something under her breath in Japanese. Sulu choked on his coffee.

"Can't say I've ever heard that used that way before," he said, wiping the coffee off his chin.

"I know that's an insult," Dusha piped up, "but you ought to be glad I'm such a nice person, or I would kill you. Hell, I might kill you anyways. You're such a waste of good space, it might be considered a good deed." Dusha turned away coldly.

"Ouch," Pisces said good-naturedly.

Dusha spun around. "Ha! You said 'ouch' first! That means I won!"

The entire bridge crew had their mouths hanging open. McCoy whispered to Pluto, "Do they always argue like that?"

Pluto sighed. "You ought to see them when they're *NOT* playing their little game."

"Shut up!" the two women exclaimed.

Pluto took out her staff threateningly. "SILENCE! Pisces, this is very unprofessional."

Pisces shrugged. "I'm sorry you feel that way. You're welcome to leave."

"And Dusha," Pluto continued, ignoring Pisces's barb. "I'll send you back to that stupid ranch if you don't calm down."

Dusha glared. "You hate me. You'll always hate me. Frankly, I'm tired of your shit and your control over me. I'm leaving." She stalked into the turbolift.

Pisces glared at Pluto. "Nice job, Setsuna." Her voice was filled with sarcasm.

"I think she's pissed off," Kirk said, unsure if he meant Dusha or Pisces.

"You would be too if you had just been duct-taped," Chekov pointed out.

"Very true," Kirk observed.

"Somebody ought to got get her," Sulu said, nudging Chekov emphatically.

"I'll go," Chekov volunteered. He strode off in the direction Dusha had gone.

Pisces glanced around. "Well, what are we going to do? Dusha is the best hacker I've ever met. We need her to upgrade your systems to withstand magic." She sighed. "Ashley better stop giving Pluto those little green pills. They're making her psychotic."

Kirk raised an eyebrow. "Um...okay."

* * * * * * * * *

Chekov found Dusha staring off into space in the observation lounge. "Go away, please," she said softly.

"No way," he said firmly. "There's a bunch of people up on the bridge who are very concerned about you, including your friend Pluto."

Dusha snorted. "Pluto is *not* my friend. She hates my existence, and she isn't overly fond of Pisces either. She only uses us to diffuse time paradoxes because she doesn't have the time to watch those and guard Time."

He tried to recall the thoughts that Pisces had hurriedly slid into his mind, so he could help Dusha. "Didn't Pluto introduce you to Pisces, in an offhand sort-of not really way?"

"Yeah, she did. But only because Pisces was sent to make sure I didn't do something stupid, like stop a city from being created."

"She's always helped you out, hasn't she?" Chekov asked.<