Data 2: Ms. Morgendorffer Goes to Tokyo Lawndale International Airport was kind of lonely at this time of day. Except for a few Hare Krishnas here and there, not too many people were in the lobby. "Now, Daria, did you pack some clean underwear like I asked you to?," Helen asked. "Yes, Mother," Daria answered "Daria," Quinn asked, "Could you bring back one of those kimonos for me, please?" "Quinn," Daria stated, those kimonos are pretty damn expensive." "Pretty please?," Quinn whined. "C'mon, Daria," Jake said, "this is probably going to be the only time you'll ever get to go to Japan." "OK, OK," Daria said, resignedly; "if I see one at a reasonable price, I'll get one for you." "Thanks, Daria!," chirped Quinn Besides Daria and her family, there was Jane, and the only two friends in Lawndale High School they had, Jodie Landon and Michael Jordan Mackenzie, or Mack for short. "If there's any airheads at the high school you're going to, Daria, heckle them for me," Jane said. "And see if they've got a Japanese version of 'Sick Sad World' over there." "Right," responded Daria. "Have a nice time over there," Jodie added. "Let me know what you think of the sushi." ""I've got a cousin at an American base not too far from Tokyo. Maybe you can look him up," Mack said as he gave Daria a slip of paper. "I'll try my best, Mack," Daria answered. The airport PA system announced that the flight to Tokyo would soon be boarding. "You'd better get on board, Daria," Helen said. "Right," Daria said. " Bye, everyone. I'll write often." With that Daria hugged her family and friends, and went down the gate. "Man, I really envy Daria right now," Quinn said. "She's going to Japan and I have to go to the big game in three days and put up with Beavis and Butt-Head." As if there couldn't be anyone dumber than those two, Kevin Thompson, the star quarterback for Lawndale High, and his girlfriend, head cheerleader Brittany Taylor, appeared. Kevin was wearing his football uniform (which he wore everywhere) while Brittany was in her cheerleader uniform, which showed how well endowed (and stupid) she was. "Hey, what's up, everyone?," Brittany asked as she twirled her hair around her finger. "Daria just left for Japan," Jake said. "Hey, I hear Japan's a pretty cool country," Kevin said. "But not as cool as you, Kevin," gushed Brittany as she hugged Kevin. "Aw, gee, Cupcake!," Kevin replied. "Anyway, when's the next drill, Mack Daddy?" "Kevin," Mack said, "For the last time, don't call me 'Mack Daddy'! I hate that name!" "OOPS! Sorry!", Kevin gasped. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Narita Airport (or New Tokyo International Airport, as it was officially known) was hopping when Daria arrived. Already jet lag was taking its toll on her. She looked like she'd been through a war. "They're right," Daria muttered to herself, "Airline food is lousy!" She did look disheveled. She didn't sleep too well on the flight. Her hair was a wreck, her olive drab jacket was scrunched up, her black skirt was hiked up, and one of the laces on her combat boots was untied. Just then, she walked right into someone. "A thousand pardons to you, Madam!," said the stranger. "Up yours!," Daria yelled back. Daria didn't know it, but she bumped into the person who was going to nuke Lawndale in three days time. Akbar went up to a rent-a-car counter and rented a Toyota Corolla 2-door. He then went to a pay phone to book a room at a nearby motel. "In three days time," Akbar said to himself, "The Great Satan will have his war brought home to him!" Daria, meanwhile, was surprised to see a chauffeur standing with a card that said "Morgendorffer" on it. "Are you Ms. Daria Morgendorffer?," asked the chauffeur. "Yes, and who might you be, the welcoming committee from Hell?" "Your sense of humor is sharp," the chauffeur said, "but I was sent at the request of Mizuno Ami, your friend. She told me to take you directly to Sendai Hill Shrine. It was important." "Lead the way," Daria said. "Things couldn't get much worse. After all, the food was lousy, and I didn't sleep well at all." "Right this way," the chauffeur said. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- "Ami," Hino Rei, the miko of Sendai Hill Shrine began to say, "you'd better have a good reason why you asked all of us to be here right now! You interrupted me right in the middle of shrine services!" "This won't take long," Ami promised. "As you know, in three days, I leave for Germany. However, the Sailor Senshi won't be undermanned. I got someone coming who will take my place while I'm gone." "This better be worth it," Kino Makoto added, "since the last time you were planning to go to Germany, you changed your mind at the last minute." "Yeah," Usagi added, "and Mamoru had dumped me!" "AHEM!," Mamoru cleared his throat. "OOPS! Sorry!," Usagi gasped. "I'm pretty sure that the person you will meet will live up to everyone's expectations," Artemis said. "Ami said that she was as smart as she is." "Great," moaned Aino Minako, "another egghead who prefers curling up with a good book instead of going to the movies with a guy! Don't eggheads like you have lives, Ami?" "And what do you mean by that remark, Minako?," Ami demanded. "Now, now, ladies," Luna said, "Let's not get hot under the collar! I'm pretty sure all will work out for the best." Just then, Daria arrived. She introduced herself rather curtly: "Hello. My name is Daria Morgendorffer. I'm from Lawndale, USA. I just had one Hell of a flight, my stomach's upset from the airline food, I didn't sleep well, and I've got a short temper. So let's cut the crap and get down to business." Usagi swallowed with a loud "ULP!" Ami knew she had to defuse the situation quickly. "Well, Daria, I'm sorry that your flight didn't go too well," Ami began to say; "Please, let me introduce you to my friends. The one with the long blonde ponytails is Tsukino Usagi. The black- haired lady in the white robe and red hakama is Hino Rei, the miko of this shrine. The girl with the auburn ponytail is Kino Makoto. The other blonde with the bow in her hair is Aino Minako. The girl with long dark green hair is Meiou Setsuna. The one with the short, dirty blond hair is Ten'ou Haruka. The girl with the green hair is Kaiou Michiru. The lady with the short black hair is Tomoe Horatu. The little girl with pink hair is Chibi-Usa. The guy with black hair is Chiba Mamoru. The black cat is Luna, and the white one is Artemis." A less-than-enthusiastic "Hello" issued from everyone. "I see this is going to be a tough crowd," Daria said. "OK, Usagi," Ami said, "I guess you should let Daria know our secret." Usagi drew a deep breath and began: "Daria, what if I told you that everything is not as it seems here?" "You dragged me all the way here to tell me something I already know?," shot back Daria, sarcastically. "What a gyp!" "Trust me on this one," Usagi continued, "what if I told you that a thousand years ago we all lived on the Moon as members of the Royal Court of the Moon Kingdom?" Daria groaned, "Beam me up, Scotty, this planet is going to Hell in a handbasket!" "C'mon, Daria, I'm being serious here!," continued Usagi; "You see, a thousand years ago Queen Beryl and her Dark Kingdom destroyed the Moon Kingdom and my mother, Queen Serenity. We were sent to Earth and reincarnated so we could protect the Earth from the Dark Kingdom and all other threats. We defeated the Dark Kingdom, Ail and Ann, the Wiseman and the Four Sisters, the Death Busters, the Black Moon Circus, and--most recently--Sailor Galaxia. You see, we are the Sailor Senshi you may have heard about in the news. I'm Sailor Moon; Ami's Sailor Mercury; Rei's Sailor Mars; Mako's Sailor Jupiter; Minako's Sailor Venus; Chibi- Usa's Sailor Chibi-Moon; Setsuna's Sailor Pluto; Haruka's Sailor Uranus; Michiru's Sailor Neptune; Hotaru's Sailor Saturn; Mamoru's Tuxedo Mask, and Luna and Artemis can talk." Daria began to sarcastically hum the theme from "The Twilight Zone". "Daria," Luna said, "I will not allow you to act sarcastically! That is not the proper way for a Sailor Senshi to behave! This is a serious situation you're in. Let Ami explain." "Daria," Ami said "as you know, I have to leave for my medical studies in Germany in three days. Someone has to take my place as Sailor Mercury while I'm gone. I think you're the best person there is." Daria shot back, "First, you cook up some cockamamie story about being recreated from some Moon Kingdom, now I have talking cats to deal with. Is this 'Candid Camera', and if so, where's Allan Funt?" "Daria," Luna replied, "believe me, I know this is kind of difficult for you to take, but at first we didn't know if this would be feasible, since you weren't around during the Silver Millennium. But I think it can be done. Ami, give me your power stick." Ami handed it to Luna; she then gave it to Daria. Luna continued, "Now, the both of you hold on to my tail". They both did, and Ami's Sailor Mercury powers left her and entered Daria. "I didn't notice a damn difference," sneered Daria. "Now, hold the power stick up high and say 'SUPER MERCURY STAR POWER, MAKE-UP!,'" said Luna. "OK, but I don't think anything is going to happen," was Daria's curt reply. Daria held the power stick like it was some moldy breadstick the local pizzeria back at Lawndale was giving away, and said "SUPER MERCURY STAR POWER, MAKE-UP!". Immediately, Daria had the sensation that someone had ripped her clothes off. "Great, now the whole damn world can see I've got small breasts!", she muttered to herself. As soon as the transformation was complete, and Daria was in Sailor Mercury's seirafuku costume, everyone knew that the transfer was successful. "Congratulations, Daria! You're now the new Sailor Mercury!," Usagi blushed. She motioned Daria to a nearby mirror. Daria took one look. "I hate this seirafuku," Daria replied; "it looks frumpy on me! I want something else!" "Daria," Luna said, "this is the uniform of the Sailor Senshi. Wear it with pride." Daria stepped on Luna's tail in response; Luna gave out a loud "ROWR!". "UP YOURS!," Daria bickered. "I don't think Daria's going to be a good team member, Mamoru," whined Usagi. "I couldn't agree with you more, Usagi," conceded Mamoru.. ----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Hamada Ieyasu was just a typical person living in a quiet street in a suburb of Narita. That is, he would be typical except for one thing: he had a working-order Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu night fighter/ground attack aircraft in his backyard. He had a long, gray, tapered Fu Manchu beard and was greasy from his work. He wore a soft cap and a velvet jacket. He was doing some routine maintenance on it when his grandson Hideki asked him about the plane. "You're pretty proud of that airplane, aren't you, Grandpa?," began Hideki. Ieyasu began to tell him about the plane: "Yes I am, Hideki. I may have flown it in a losing cause, but it served me well. I was just lucky that I managed to salvage parts for it and rebuild it; after the way, the American occupation forces scrapped most of our nation's war capabilities. Remember, back then, we and the United States were not on the best of terms. Ruthless military men had virtual control of our nation in name if not in fact. They had launched a foolhardy quest to annex much of East Asia to our territory and committed many atrocities. This plane was one of the best craft ever built. Did you know that it was this plane, and not the Mitsubishi A6M that made the first Kamikaze attack on American naval vessels? The Americans called this plane the 'Nick' like the A6M was called the 'Zero'." Ieyasu paused to go toward the tail of the Nick. He continued: "You may notice that the Rising Sun is on a white stripe on this plane. That meant that this plane was serving in the defense of the homeland. And the marking of the tail indicates that it was with the 1st Chutai of the 53rd Sentai based in Matsudo here in Chiba-ken." Hideki asked, "What was your greatest adventure in this plane?" "Well, one time," Ieyasu answered, "shortly before the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, we went up against the Americans and their Superfortresses on one of their raids against Tokyo. I managed to shoot down three that night. However, my tailgunner was killed when a fourth retaliated after we bungled an attempt to shoot that one down. I was lucky to escape with my life." Ieyasu then added this rather suddenly: "You know, Hideki, I wonder how things might have been different if the military hadn't slowly crept into power and we didn't join the Nazi Germans and the Fascist Italians. We might have joined the Americans and together forced both of them to surrender sooner that they did. We might have launched a campaign to expel the Germans from the Soviet Union. We might have gone into Berlin instead of the Soviets. What I don't figure is why both our government and the American government won't just own up to what happened. They say the Americans should apologize for using the atomic bomb but why won't our government apologize for the Rape of Nanjing or the Korean comfort women or the Baatan Death March when most of its citizens are indeed sorry for those things. Why can't both our nations admit that mistakes were made by everyone, make a commitment to make sure nothing like this ever happens again, and get on with our lives? Why is it that the people know better than our elected leaders?" "Beats me, Grandpa," said an astonished Hideki; "I guess adults aren't better than us kids." Ieyasu got a good laugh over that. "Grandma should be ready with dinner soon," he said. "You'd better go in and set the table. I'll have this plane ready for the Narita Air Show by the end of the week, or I'll eat my hat. And tell your father when he and your mother come to pick you up that I hope he'll make it this year. This old bird's gonna win the Grand Prize this year, or I'll have to commit seppuku." "You wouldn't!," said an alarmed Hideki. "Just kidding, Hideki," reassured Ieyasu. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Vander Helffen was at his office. He was poring over his latest plans to hijack the Neo-Zero prototype when Yoriko arrived. "Time for your pill again, Yoriko," he said. She took a bottle marked "Hi no Tori" Immortality Pills and ingested one of them. "Now, on to business, Yoriko," he continued. "I have grave concerns for Ryu." "How so?," Yoriko wanted to know. Dr. Vander Helffen replied, "Our ninja spies have seen him hanging around with known SDF intelligence agents in the Ginza." He proceeded to take some photographs out of a manila envelope. "So, I see," was her reply. "If Ryu is indeed acting as a double agent, he is to be eliminated," Dr. Vander Helffen stated. "We're tailing him now, even as we speak. If he is working for the SDF behind our backs, give the kill order." "Understood, Dr. Vander Helffen," replied Yoriko. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Gen. Torymura had gotten the full report from Ryu of the NIRAA's plot to steal the Neo-Zero prototype, and now he was ready to take action. "This is serious," he began; "If the NIRAA seizes the prototype, nothing in the SDF arsenal can stop it. We will need to get some additional help. If the rumors are true about what I heard about the Sailor Senshi, they may be our only hope against the NIRAA." "I think I know someone who can contact them;" replied Ryu. "His name is Chiba Mamoru. He's in the self- defense class I teach at the Morita Dojo. If what I suspect of him is true, I can get the Sailor Senshi on our side." "Proceed," ordered Gen. Torymura. "The fate of Japan rests on your shoulders, Ryu." Ryu departed, not noticing that the receptionist had overheard everything that had happened. She was an NIRAA ninja spy, and was now sending a secret message by a secret relaying device to NIRAA headquarters. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- "Japan Air Lines, how may I help you?," asked a ticket agent on the phone Akbar was ordering his ticket.. "This is Akbar el-Salaam," he began; "I would like to book a seat on the Saturday flight from Narita to Berlin." Luckily for Akbar, this was his first hijacking, and there would be no record of him by any of the aviation or law enforcement authorities on file. Until now, Akbar had been content with the occasional strafing of Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and throwing rocks at Israeli troops. Now he was in the big leagues. "What class?," the agent asked. Akbar answered, "First class." The agent replied, "Smoking or non-smoking?" "I thought all flights were now non-smoking," inquired Akbar. "That's only for United States airlines, sir," replied the agent. "Non-smoking," answered Akbar. "OK," the agent said; "you can pick up your ticket at the gate on the morning of departure. Thanks you for flying Japan Air Lines, and have a nice flight." "It will be nice all right," Akbar sneered as he hung up the phone. "My destination will be with Allah in Paradise." ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Gov. Nagai was holding a rally at the Ginza, Tokyo's entertainment district. There was a huge crowd. PA speakers were everywhere, as well as streamers and signs. Nagai was making a speech where it seemed he'd promise sushi in everyone's heated dinner table or a full rice cooker if that would make Japan prosperous again. "My friends," Gov. Nagai began, "we can make Japan better than it is now. We just need the courage to take the difficult steps that need to be taken. Let us go forward with that vision." Tetsuo was going down the street and noticed the rally. He then looked at a balcony across the street. He noticed something sinister going on. A man dressed entirely in black was setting up a high-powered rifle. He was going to assassinate Gov. Nagai! Quickly, Tetsuo ran to a nearby alley. He raised his hands as in supplication to the sun. "Amaterasu-Omikami, give thee thy mortal servant the power of the Solar Warrior!," he shouted. Instantly it seemed that Tetsuo was engulfed in flames, and a transformation took place. He emerged in red robotic armor with a yellow sunburst on the chest. He leapt up to the balcony. "Miscreant!," he yelled; "Stop where you are! I am the Solar Warrior, servant to Amaterasu-Omikami, Goddess of the Sun! In the name of the Sun, you will be judged!" The assassin growled and fired, but the bullets ricocheted off the armor. The Solar Warrior then yelled, "SOLAR FLARE DISCHARGE ATTACK!" Two discs, one on each gauntlet, glowed, then discharged. The assassin was incinerated. The crowd saw what happened. They had just realized that this mystery hero had just saved Gov. Nagai from certain death. The Solar Warrior disappeared, leaving a cheering crowd shouting "BANZAI!" behind. "Find this person," Gov. Nagai said to one of his aides. "I might have a position for him in my campaign." ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Ami was just finishing packing up for her trip. In just three days, she was off to Berlin. "Think you might want this, Honey?," a voice said as it entered the room. It was Ami's mother. Ami turned around and saw her old teddy bear. "Mom, I don't need that teddy bear," said an embarrassed Ami; "Really!" "It was always your good luck charm," continued her mother. "I want you to do well over there in Germany. I want you to make your father and me proud. I can't believe you're going away in three days." "I'll miss you, Mom," said Ami, "but I'll e-mail you and all my friends and family every week. I promise." Ami finished packing., then said, "I'd better get to bed." "Good night, Ami," her mother said. Ami then took off her clothes and her bra. She stood next to the open window and felt the cool evening wind against her face and breasts. It felt so good after such a hot late summer's day. She stood like that for a few minutes, then slipped on her nightshirt, a football jersey- looking blue shirt with a white "15" on it, and went to bed. Mizuno Ami didn't know then what Hell she was going to go through.