Navy Cosplay

Chapter 3 - Bonds created

While still unconscious, darkness surrounded Sandra. After a short time, the pitch black changed to gray. Inside her mind, all was quiet. But only for a few moments, as unknown voices soon filled her head with words of encouragement. 'Be strong', 'You're going to be alright', 'We're right here with you', 'You have friends waiting for you.’

Not only did she hear their voices, Sandra could feel their presences around her as well. All these presences around her radiated great friendship and loyalty. One presence, though, stood out. This specific presence radiated not only friendship and loyalty, but enormous power as well. 'Just who is this person?' she thought. After all the others had left, two remained, including the super powerful one.

It was near midnight in the medical ward and Adrienne, still in her fatigues, stood next to Brandie and talked to her about what little she had found out. Brandie let out a small yawn, and then looked at the clock. Excusing herself for a moment, she left Adrienne watching over their friend. A few moments after she left, Sandra began to stir. Noticing this, Adrienne went over to her side and held her hand.

Sandra slowly opened her eyes. She looked up at the woman. "Where am I?" she asked, "What happened?"

"You're down in Medical right now. You had a little accident." Adrienne said, squeezing her hand slightly. "You're going to be alright." she finished, giving her a smile.

Sandra looked at her and nodded her head. She couldn't help but to trust this woman. And, for some reason, it wasn't because of her uniform. She looked closely at her, and felt like she knew her. "Excuse me, ma'am, but do I know you?"

Adrienne shook her head. "I don't believe we've met before. My name is Meiou. Adrienne Meiou."

"I suppose you already know my name." she said, then paused a moment, looking at her. "Meiou?" she asked, "You wouldn't happen to have any female relatives named Setsuna, would you?" she asked with a little bit of humor.

Adrienne looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, now that you mention it." Sandra gave her a look that said 'I KNEW it!' and was about to say so when Adrienne let out a little laugh, looking at Sandra. "That was a joke.” she said. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."

Sandra gave a small smile. "I figured it was too good to be true. So, what are you doing here?" she then asked. "You here to question me or something?"

"That's right." Adrienne said. “I’m here to ask how you fell down the stairs. It is normal procedure when someone gets hurt to look into the incident and find out how it happened.”

“I don’t know what happened. All I remember is the lights going out and feeling someone bump me just after it went dark.”

“Petty Officer Williams only saw you passing her office just before the lights went out. Just after they went out, she heard a gasp and then something fall. She came right out of her office to find out what had happened. There was no one in the area except you when she came out and found you at the bottom of the stairs. Are you going to tell me she pushed you down the stairs?”

“I don’t know who did it! I did not see or hear anyone, all I know is I felt a shove to my back and then the trip down the stairs. I had stopped moving when the lights went out so I would not fall, and the lights going out caught my attention.”

“So you could have fallen when you were distracted.” Petty Officer Meiou said.

“I had STOPPED moving. I may be a little clumsy at times but I am not THAT bad. Someone pushed me. I don’t know who, I did not hear or see anyone before the lights went out. All I know is I was shoved.” Sandra said and then started to cry.

“We’ll see. The investigation is still in process. Be ready for more questions as we try to figure things out. This is all I have for now.”

“What did I do to deserve this?” Sandra asked still crying lightly as Petty Officer Meiou got up and left.

Brandie was waiting just outside the door when Adrienne started to leave. She touched her friend’s arm and asked “Weren’t you a little hard on her? You know she is telling the truth.”

“I know, you know, so do the others, but does the captain? With the way this is going, the old man is going to get involved. If she had said she tripped it would be open and shut except for the safety checks of the lighting and ladderwell, but this…” Adrienne said with frustration in her voice.

“I know what you mean, sometimes I wish ‘she’ was not so stubborn. She does not even know how much danger she is in. I better go check up on my charge and make sure she gets to sleep. We don’t want her getting” Brandie let out another yawn, this one not so small ”sick on top of everything else” she finished.

“Yeah, and then you need to go to bed. I do not like the idea of leaving her unguarded but we don’t have a choice. We both still have to report to work at six and I still have this report to write. I see tomorrow is going to be another long day” Adrienne said as she yawned herself. “Take care of her and let me know how she is doing.”

“I will. Let me know how the investigation is going when you get a chance. I’m pretty sure the other two want to know what is going on as well from both of us.”

“Good night Brandie.”

“Night”

Elsewhere on the ship a few other people were unable to get to sleep. Amy could not get a few nagging thoughts out of her head. ‘Did Sandy fall or did someone push her? She must have fallen when the lights went out. Everyone who ever gets to know her becomes friends with her. I cannot think of anyone who would hate her enough.’ ‘Why are there so many people that resemble the sailor senshi? Is it our overactive imagination playing with us?’ Amy was still trying to figure out these thoughts and others when exhaustion finally pulled her to sleep.

"Dear Goddess, watch over my new friends and help them all stay strong in this time of trial, and please help Sandra get better quickly.” was one prayer heard in the dark.

‘What went wrong? My plan should have been fool proof. Even if she could have lived thought the fall she should have been injured enough to require leaving the ship. Did he not push her hard enough? No, she fell hard enough or they would not have called the medical emergency. Is one of the outer senshi here? Couldn’t be or I would have felt them. I need to find out who the princess actually is and make sure she goes away. Preferably permanently.’ Was thought by a young man as he lay in his rack.

The next morning after quarters, Brianna went to medical to see if she could visit Sandra and find out how she is doing. Once she got there she could not figure out whom to ask since it seemed the entire medical department was busy with the morning sick call. As she was about to give up in frustration, Petty Officer Flowers walked up to her and asked what she had wrong. “I’m fine. I was just wondering if I could visit Petty Officer Brown. She is a friend of mine that was brought in yesterday.”

“Petty Officer Brown? Where do you know her from?” asked Petty Officer Flowers, while thinking ‘as if I didn’t know.’

“Well, truthfully we just met two days ago. We were supposed to get together with a few other people but...” said a frustrated Brianna shrugging.

“Normally people in medical do not have people come to visit them so I will have to check with her doctor, but I do not think it is going to be a problem.” Brandie said, and then left to talk to a lieutenant and make sure it would be ok.

While she was gone, a young man came through sick call complaining of stomach cramps. While he was being led through, he tried to look in every space ‘She has to be down here. I have not felt her pass by my space at all today so she must still be hurt. Where is she? I cannot feel her in here.’ His face contorted with frustration that resembled that of someone with sever stomach pains. Medical could find nothing wrong with him, so they gave him some stomach medicine and escorted him out the far side.

Meanwhile Brandie returned to Brianna. “The doctor said you could go visit her but do not upset her and if she was asleep to let her be. She was up late last night answering questions for security.” Brandie said as she led Brianna to the recovery area of medical. “Currently your friend has the whole recovery area to her self.” ‘Which I am thankful for.’ “Here we are.” she said as they reached the area Sandra was asleep in. “I have to get back to work. Sick call still has another half hour and I’m needed back.”

“Thank you Petty Officer Flowers. I greatly appreciate this” Brianna said.

“Your welcome.” ‘And thank you for caring enough to come down here. I doubt he would try anything with anyone in here. Where are the other three?’

Brianna found Sandra sleeping. Keeping in mind what she was told, she sat beside Sandra’s bed. With her elbows on her knees, she rested her chin in her hands and looked at her new friend. “What happened to you? Two days ago you were all vibrant and alive, now you look like death warmed over. I know we just met, but I feel like I’ve known you for centuries and you have been my friend the entire time.” Brianna took Sandra’s hand and prayed over it “Goddess, please watch over my friend as a mother would a child, and God please bring her strength to heal quickly. She has friends that miss her.”

The sleeping woman was in the gray area of her mind again and heard the prayer. ‘Why would anyone pray to a Goddess and then to God, and what is this tingling feeling I’m getting? It’s like when I was small and in my mother’s lap getting a hug.’

Looking around the medical ward, Brianna saw Sandra’s coveralls crumpled on the table where they were put as the medical personnel had gotten Sandra ready for bed. Wanting something to do, and feeling helpless to help her friend, Brianna went over to the table and picked up the coveralls, intending on folding them up so they were somewhat neat when she was able to leave medical. As she looked at them, some discrepancies caught her attention. If all Sandra came to medical with was a mild concussion and some sprains why was there blood on the collar of her coveralls and on the both of the lower legs? Wondering what else might be funny she decided to look at the rest of the coveralls and found a smudge that looked like grease or oil and was about to touch it when Petty Officer Flowers came in.

“Folding her things for her?” Brandie asked when she saw Petty Officer Trapp holding the Princess’s coveralls.

“I was getting ready to when I noticed some funny things. Why is there blood on the collar and the legs when all she supposedly did was receive a mild concussion?” Brianna asked. “And do you know what this stuff is? Her coveralls were clean the other night I saw her at the open mike night.”

“The blood was most likely from scrapes. Have you ever seen how ANY head wound bleeds?” Brandie asked. “As for the stuff you found on the coveralls, would you please show me what it is? Security might be interested in it if what you say is true. It might lead to what caused her to fall.”

“Nani? They still do not know what happened?” Brianna asked. “The stuff on the back looks like grease or oil to me, but it might be from something you guys did when you brought her here. I don’t know. Here.” she said as she handed to coveralls to Petty Officer Flowers.

Brandie looked at the splotch on the back of the coveralls and did not like what she found. “Someone must have had some of the sanitizing cleaning gel still on their hands when the medical emergency was called. They probably got it on the coveralls when they picked her up to put her on the stretcher.” ‘Please believe that because I do not want to have to explain the truth.’

“Thank you. I better get going. I have to get back to work. Do you think it would be ok if four of her friends come to see her around 8:30 tonight?” Brianna asked, almost pleading knowing her new friends would like to visit also.

“I’ll see what I can do. Stop by around then and I will tell you, I won’t know until then. She must be popular to have that many friends want to see her in medical even though she has only been here a day.” Brandie said.

“Domo arigato gozaimasu!” Brianna said, “I hope you can get us in.”

“Like I said, I will try” Brandie said as she escorted Petty Officer Trapp to the door. “See you then.”

“Thank you. See you later, Sandra.” she said, putting her hand on Sandra’s arm momentarily before she left. No one noticed the bit of slime on Brianna’s hand. After she had left the medical ward she noticed the slime and taking it for the cleansing gel she was told she just rubbed it into her hands until it disappeared.

‘We were luckier than we thought, princess.’ Brandie thought as she walked over to one of the ship’s phones and made a call.

“Security, MA2 Stevens, how may I help you sir or ma’am?” Was the response to her call.

“Petty Officer Stevens, this is Petty Officer Flowers in medical. Is Petty Officer Meiou available?”

“Yes, hold on one moment please.”

“Meiou, how may I help you?” Adrienne said as she got the phone. She was not told who was on the other end.

“Full Moon. Petty Officer Meiou, this is Petty Officer Flowers from medical. Some information has been brought to my attention you might want to know. I do not know if it involves the girl who fell the other day or not, but from what I can tell it most likely does.” Brandie said.

At the words ‘full moon’ Adrienne froze inwardly. Outwardly she still presented the same expression she had a moment before. “Thank you. I will be there in a little bit.” She looked to the guy on phone watch “If I’m needed, I’ll be in medical talking with Petty Officer Flowers. It seems that something might have turned up that we didn’t notice before.”

“Ok, I will call you there if you are needed.”

On her way to medical, Adrienne was wondering what had spooked Brandie enough to use THAT line. Brandie met her at the door to the recovery ward and escorted her in.

Once inside and sure no one was around, Adrienne spun Brandie around. “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? What did you use THAT line for?” she asked in a loud whisper.

“This.” was Brandie’s only response as she handed Adrienne Sandra’s coveralls with the splotch up. “It was found by one of her friends as she was getting ready to fold her clothes. I just hope she did not touch it or we may have another emergency on our hands.”

“Your right. It might be dead now but ‘he’ could use it to track whoever it is on.” Adrienne said as she shook her head looking at the splotch. “How did she find it, and what did you say it was?”

“She noticed blood on the collar and legs. I assume, as she was getting ready to fold the coveralls. I saw her take a closer look just as I was coming in. I told her I thought it might be hand sanitizer one of the medical personnel had on their hand.”

“We’re going to have to get rid of those coveralls. Short of burning it or exposing ourselves, I do not know of any way of getting rid of the slime and I don’t want it any where near her.”

I know how you feel, but what are we going to do about another pair of coveralls for her to wear. You know this ship’s supply system. Explain every little item.”

“I know Bran, we’ll think of something. Right now we could probably get one of her friends to bring her a new pair to wear out of here. We can always salvage the crows and name tapes.”

“Yes. Uhm. We better check her and her other clothing to make sure nothing else is contaminated.” Brandie said.

They immediately went and checked Sandra while she was still in a drugged sleep but they found no traces. After checking the rest of her clothing, they found a small trace on her t-shirt but nothing else.

“We were lucky on this. I can explain the clothes away, but if we had to give her a decon scrub it would have raised questions.” Brandie said. “I’ll put the clothes in a bio-hazard bag and take them to the incinerator and get rid of them. Her friends are supposed to stop by this evening. From what the doc told me, she should be released around then. Will you call Vicky’s friend and ask her to bring her a change of clothes?”

“I can do that. Do you remember which one found the slime?”

“Mars. I do not remember what her current name is though.” Brandie said with a little regret.

“I believe her name is Trapp.” Adrienne said. “I’ll check up on her.” She was about to say more when she heard her name being called on the radio. Going to the hallway, she talked to the person for a moment. She then walked back into where Brandie was. “I’ve got to get going. Fight over in Air berthing again. I’ll keep in touch.” She said before rushing out of Medical.

It was around noon, and Amy sat on the mess decks and ate her lunch. She had her usual book in front of her. She didn’t get much reading done, as every few minutes, she looked at the empty seat across from her, where Sandra should have been. It was one of these moments when a young man came and sat down in front of her. He frowned at her. “Hey Perkins. You look depressed.”

Amy looked the young man, straight in the eyes. “I suppose you could say that.” She addressed him.

He looked around at the different tables. “Where’s your friend Sandra? She hasn’t re-issued her hazmat for a few days now. She’s usually punctual when it comes to taking care of stuff like that.”

Before Amy could answer, 3 girls joined them at their table. She recognized them immediately.

“Hey Ami-chan, Petty Officer Speer.” Erin greeted them. “Have you heard any word on Usagi-chan's condition?” she asked the girl.

Amy shook her head. “I haven’t heard a thing.” She said softly. It was then that Brianna spoke up. “I got a chance to visit her earlier today, right after quarters.” She then filled them in on what all had transpired in medical. Which included the suspicious looking coveralls.

“Who is this Usagi-chan you keep referring to?” the young man asked. Amy looked at him. “Sandra.” She replied.

He looked shocked. “She’s in medical? I can’t believe it.” He replied.

"She was that medical emergency the other day." Stephanie replied.

"The ladder well one?" he asked, and Ami nodded her head.

While this group talked, Adrienne, Vicky, Brandie, and Toni were sitting a few tables away. Adrienne and Brandie had just finished filling in the other two on what had happened earlier that morning.

"Have you gotten her a new pair of coveralls yet?" Vicky asked Adrienne, who shook her head. "I haven't had a chance to get a hold of her friend yet."

"You know," Toni then injected after eating a bite of her hot dog, "We need to figure out a way to keep a better eye on all of them."

Everyone agreed, but noone could come up with any feasible ideas. Then, an idea sparked in Adrienne's mind. "I think I have an idea." she said.

"What is it?" Brandie asked. The woman then proceeded to explain her plan.

"That's an awesome idea." Vicky said, and the two others agreed as well. "I'll make contact with Amy next time I see her, and get the idea planted in her mind." Vicky then said.

"Better yet," Toni said, "Why don't we just all go up to them as a group. Amy or Mars should make the connection."

"But to be able to find them all in a group when we are all together is nearly impossible." Brandie said.

"Not as impossible as you may think." Adrienne said with a smile, then motioned the others to look at the table where the other girls were. "Selene is most definitely watching over us."

The others looked over and saw the group. "Let's go ahead and put our trays up, then head over there." Vicky replied.

Meanwhile, the unknowing group had gotten talking about new anime releases in America.

"Well, according to Right Stuf Inc., the entire second season of Revolutionary Girl Utena should start coming out sometime this month." Erin told the group. "I plan on ordering it next time I get a chance to use the Internet."

"Really?" Brianna asked, "I've been waiting for them to release it. We may have to get together to watch it after it comes in. But you know what else I've heard? There are rumors of a 4th season of Slayers. I'm definitely crossing my fingers on that one."

"Slayers is such a hilarious show. You gotta love Lina's free-spirited attitude." Stephanie said. Amy was about to add something when she sees her Training friend, along with the Security girl from before and two others, approach them."

Vicky smiled and greeted the group. "How are you doing, Amy?"

"Been better." Amy said, then looked up at Adrienne. "Any word on how Sandra fell down the stairs?"

"We've come up with a few possible leads. We're checking them out and will let you know when we find out for sure." Adrienne said. "May we join you for a moment?" she then asked.

Ami shrugged, and the other four women sat down at the table.

"I overheard you guys talking about Slayers." Brandie then told the others. "But I'd have to say my favorite character would have to be Amelia Wil Tessla Saryuun. She is always out for justice."

"Perhaps a little too overenthusiastic about her quest for justice, though, don't ya think?" Brianna, then looked at her. "Wait a minute. You're that girl from medical. So you like anime as well, do you?"

Brandie nodded her head with a smile. "That's right. In fact," she continued, motioning towards her comrades, "We all are. We even do cosplay and masquerade sometimes at conventions while we're in port."

Everyone's eyes opened wide. "Really?" Stephanie asked. "That is so cool!! I've always wanted to do cosplay, but could never find anyone to do it with. That, and the fact that I'm not too great at sewing."

"What do you guys cosplay as?" Erin asked, her interest piqued.

"Toni and I," Vicky said, "Sometimes pair up as Anthy Himemia and Utena Tenjou from Revolutionary Girl Utena."

"Brandie-chan and I often go as Seira and Meimi from Kaitou Saint Tail. " Adrienne then added. "But our most potent grouping would be the four of us as the outer senshi from Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon."

Amy studied the four women in front of her and nodded her head. "I can definitely see that." she said. "You four look very convincing as them."

The only male at the table finally spoke up. "I've gone as Tuxedo Kamen from the same show, as well as Li Sharyon from Cardcaptor Sakura. Last year at Nekocon, I went as Tamahome from Fushigi Yuugi." he said.

Vicky looked straight at him. "You're Dale Speer. The one who won the overall hall masquerade last year. Am I right?" He nodded his head. "That was one awesome costume you had made."

He smiled. “Thanks." He said at last. "Did all four of you attend it as well?"

"Yep." she said. "We were in the cosplay competition. We didn't win anything, but we had a great time doing our skit. The one of the rebirth of Saturn."

Dale opened his eyes wide. "Now I remember you. That skit should have won first place. It was way better than any of the others that were there."

Brandie blushed a little. "Arigatou." she said.

"You know, I was just thinking that you four," Toni said, pointing at the four other girls, "could easily pass as the inner senshi from Sailormoon. While you," she continued, pointing at Dale, "look exactly like Tuxedo Kamen."

"I noticed that as well," Amy said. "Isn't it odd that there is a look-a-like for every one of the senshi here on the TR?"

'Not as odd as you may think, Mercury Princess.' Adrienne thought to herself. 'It is more like destiny.'

"Yes, we noticed that as well." Vicky said. Just after she said this, the bells rang over the ship's intercom, announcing the time.

"Well, I must be getting back to work. Lots of paperwork to take care of. I totally enjoyed our conversation here." Adrienne said, standing. She had just turned away when she suddenly turned back to Amy and her friends. "Oh, when you all come to take Sandra out of medical tonight, be sure to bring her another set of coveralls, as her other ones had to be thrown out." And with that said, she walked off.

Brianna looked over at Brandie. "So we can go visit her tonight. Are you sure that she is well enough to be released? When I saw her this morning, she was totally knocked out."

Brandie nodded her head. "She is just fine. We have run numerous tests on her, and find her fit enough to be released. Of course, she will still be SIQ for another 3 or so days, until we are positive she can go back to work." Brandie then got up as well. "Come to medical around 2000 tonight. All of you. I'm sure she will be happy to see all of you." Nodding her head at the group, she then departed, soon followed by Toni and Vicky.

"Well, that's good news." Erin finally said. "So, shall we meet up down in the vending area, then head to medical together?"

"Does 1945 sound good to everyone?" Amy asked. When she got nods from the entire group, she smiled and got up. "I'll see everyone tonight, then."

The entire group then departed the mess decks and headed back to their respective workspaces. The four other women stood by and watched them go, completely unnoticed by the ones that they were watching. Once they were out of sight, Toni turned to Adrienne. "Well, that's taken care of. I'm betting that by this time two days from now, we'll all hear from them, wanting us to join their newly formed cosplay group."

"I don't take sucker bets." Adrienne replied, then turned to face them. "Now the easy part is over. Now we have to keep our eyes open. Don't want 'him' to make contact with any of the girls. Especially the princess and prince." They all gave her nods of agreement.

"I'll be in medical tonight, even though I am off-shift. Adrienne will be with me. With us, and the inner senshi around her, noone will try anything." Brandie added.

"Be sure to let me and Vicky know what, if anything, happens." Toni then told the group. "We'll stay by the phones, in case of emergency."

After that, the group then said their goodbyes and headed off to their own workspaces.

'It's going to be one interesting evening tonight.' Brandie thought as she headed back to medical. And indeed, it would be.

Chapter 2 Chapter 4

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