UNDERGROUND EXPLORATION

[supermistfrog]

Characters: Fran, Hitsugaya, Usagi, Raven, Harry, Sasuke, Naruto, Rei, Ami, Hinata, Tiera, Thallate the animus and the scientists!
When: Early o' clock on the 27th.
Where: The opening of the underground tunnels --> the area in which the scientists are.
Rating: PG-13 at the most.
Summary: Team shorty leaders Underground Exploration finally makes the

Comments

THE MAIN UNDERGROUND AREA

[supermistfrog]

tunnels: senshi team?

[buntails]

Sailor Moon felt a definite sense of relief as they came out of the tunnels into the main area. She didn't keep worrying they'd get lost anymore, and it felt less enclosed. The chill in the air wasn't quite as bad, either, or maybe she'd gotten used to it. Senshi uniforms weren't made for winter, really.

There was still the sensation of not quite feeling right. Right; she had to keep her focus. She brought her hands away from rubbing warmth into her arms. A quick look around was enough. That way looked like a wider path...

"Guys, that way might be the one. It looks like it leads somewhere, doesn't it?" Of course, they couldn't really be sure, without a map or a guide or any number of things they didn't have right now.

[marsfireignite]

"The only way to find out is to head there."

Mars, however, didn't move, shouldering the backpack they were given with half a frown as she scanned the area, her PCD in her hand, permanently set to recording. She wouldn't allow single moment of the journey to be missed.

[aquaticbeauty]

"Not necessarily." Mercury stepped forward, super computer in hand. "At the very least I should be able to get a reading to confirm if that tunnel is void of any hostile lifeforms."

With a press of her left earring, Mercury's visor bridged over her eyes, and digital readings started flying over its display. "Perhaps once we get deeper in, I can get a scan going so we can get a map, as crude as it may be."

[buntails]

"Hinata-chan said her vision techniques might not work as well here...the computer might not, too, but it'll still be better than not knowing at all. Try it, Mercury!"

This would all be a lot easier if they did have their full powers, but as they got closer, that was less and less likely. Usagi stopped to wait for Mercury's signal; better to go on an assurance than a guess.

[marsfireignite]

There was a tiny quirk of her lips as she glanced over at Mercury, amused at the difference. Mars would much rather go in and discover it for herself, but it had been so long since the team had been together that she had almost forgotten Mercury's ability to scan things from a distance. Useful. Practical. Very Ami.

"If these tunnels stretch all the way close to the Inner City, the Animus' presence will limit our abilities," Mars said, as a warning, wary to place full trust in her senshi powers, due to her last visit into the Inner City. "But who knows what the scientists have worked up, if they are down there.

"Do you have anything, Mercury?"

[aquaticbeauty]

Mercury furrowed her brow, her lips pulled to a thin line as she frowned. "I'm getting readings, though I can't attest to their accuracy down here." She switched off her visor for a moment and looked to the girls. "If there's anything in there, it's not giving off strong enough signals to be detected by my computer."

Not a good sign, if the computer's detection was to only get weaker the deeper they go. "We should remain on our guard, though."

[buntails]

"Got it. Let's go, then." It was like... well, it was like the beginning, when she'd just barely discovered there were other senshi. Rei - Mars - had stayed by her all this time, but the fact she could say sailor team again meant a lot. It made Sailor Moon smile despite the seriousness of the situation.

Despite her words and willingness to hurry ahead, she kept alert and on her guard as she stepped forward, and once or twice snapped her head around to look at something that proved to be a perfectly natural sound. She was a bit on-edge.

"Next area, all together."

[marsfireignite]

The moment they stepped into the tunnels, Mars remained quiet, one hand on her PCD, the other hand barely letting her fingers scrape the wall. The sound of their footsteps was nearly deafening in the silence, but Mars almost preferred it that way. It was easier to focus on something far less obvious -- her own unique brand of scouting.

The tunnel felt empty. The only significant levels of power that were around were them, unless they had discovered a way to cloak or hide themselves. She supposed that would change once they got closer to whatever they were looking for, but she wasn't going to say that out loud. Why jinx it when it was so calm now?

"This is a horrible place to fight in," Mars muttered suddenly. Tunnels. Enclosed. Tight. It was almost nostalgic of their descent into Beryl's lair.

[aquaticbeauty]

Mercury remained close to Usagi, who pulled her back to let Mars scout ahead. Mars had the greatest offensive advantage, and as such, would be able to drive off any danger in order to prevent the princess from facing any harm.

"I think it was intentional." Mercury kept her voice at a whisper. She brought her arms forward to keep a firm hold on Usagi's elbow with one hand, and quickly went silent to listen.

[buntails]

"Mercury, it's alright. I'm here to fight, too." She loved her friends, and understood her role as their princess; but keeping herself safe at their expense was something she just couldn't do.

"Mars, is it clear? Do you sense anyone?" It did remind her a bit of those horrible caverns; but that was a thought best swallowed away before she became afraid.

[marsfireignite]

"Intentional or not, it's annoying."

Mars strode forward a few more steps, unafraid, before her way became slightly brighter -- fire, held just between her fingertips, as she revealed the crevices and cracks, in order to truly see whether or not anyone was there.

"We're fine. Let's keep moving. Stick together."

[aquaticbeauty]

"Sailor Moon." Mercury looked to Moon, giving her a reassuring nod. There was nothing to fear. With Mars as the lead, and Mercury bringing up the rear, whatever dared to attack them down here would have to go through them, first.

As much as Mercury wished Jupiter and Venus were present, she reminded herself that they went several months like this before they had arrived. With Mars's fierceness, and her tactical prowess, and Usagi's raw power--they would at least have a high probability of surviving.

And that's really all she could hope for, at this point.

[buntails]

As she went, Sailor Moon looked to the right and left, a mixture of curiosity and unusual caution. People had been living here, this close to them all, and while they'd realized it after awhile, they hadn't known where or been able to do anything until now. It was a sobering thought. Once or twice, she tried to peek ahead and around Mars; but she was mostly content to keep moving. In between her comrades, she silently promised herself they'd all return.

"Mars, can you see anything ahead?" Curiosity got the better of her.

[marsfireignite]

"It looks like the the tunnel splits soon."

And Mars was correct -- there was a fork in the road, and the senshi stopped slightly to stare down both, frowning. She lacked a map, but she did have her intuition -- and Mars closed her eyes to focus, toward the bad, the foreboding, the dampening of her power --

"Left," she said after a second or two of contemplation, glancing back toward the other two for confirmation.

[buntails]

Sailor Moon took a quick look both ways, but it was almost impossible to guess which might be the way by looking. She trusted Mars' intuition and senses, and after a second, she nodded.

"Left." They didn't have the luxury of a lot of time to make the decision, if they were likely to run into resistance.