In The War Room (Open to Dark Senshi)

The early planning stages were often the most important. Presently, they had the element of surprise. And Thanatos knew that with that element, Queen Nyx and her forces could create such disorder in their unsuspecting enemies' lives, that they might never be able to recover. And when your enemy is off balance, it's the perfect time to land the finishing blow.

The pieces were right. But with those Youma? Thanatos frowned as he looked at the map of Tokyo he had pulled up on the large screen in front of him. They were terribly inefficient. He had seen video of plenty of youma being dispatched by those accursed Senshi. In order defeat your enemy, you had to understand them.

But, how could he understand them with such limited data? Something would have to be done. The Dark Senshi were a good wild card. They certainly wouldn't expect them. Perhaps they should send out youma, first. Monitor the enemy as they fight some cannon fodder. Let them THINK they know who their enemy is.

"Hm...possible." he muttered to himself. He still wasn't that committed to the plan. There had to be some way they could just wipe out the Senshi in one fell swoop. This first step was too important to take lightly.

The Dark Castle certainly lived up to its name. Floating above the city centre, the black marble castle was almost stereotypical in role as the headquarters of Queen Nyx and her evil minions. All that was missing was lightning, and it would be perfect.

Nariko sighed. Why did the Queen live in such an obvious den of evil? Surely something less... conspicuous would make it harder for the senshi to guess this was the base of their enemies? She sighed again as a shiver ran through her as she thought of the summons she'd received. She'd been working in the restaurant, earning money to pay for her cover. A summons from a Night General. It doesn't matter what she had been doing, Nariko was just a Dark Senshi, so she had to obey straight away.

She sighed again. Raising her arm above her head, her sleeve fell, revealing the bracelet she wore. 'Retipuj Black Star Power, Make-up!'

Lightning erupted from the green gem set into her bracelet, surrounding her. The lightning turned dark before it closed in on her body. A moment later the engergy burst away from her, leaving her in her Sailor Retipuj fuki: a green leotard, with triple layered shoulder pads. A light blue collar, with two thin white lines was on her shoulders, and the bow on the front was also a light blue, as was the one in her hair. The skirt she wore was double layered; the top layer being the same light blue, with two white lines as the collar, while the bottom layer was dark green. The bow on her back was also light blue. On her arms were elbow length white gloves, with a light blue band at the end, and light blue high heeled shoes were on her feet. Around her head was gold tiara with a green gem in the centre, and about her neck is a green choker with a light blue heart shaped gem in the centre. In her hand she held a gold whisk, slightly larger than a normal whisk.

Sailor Retipuj vanished and reappeared inside the Dark Castle. She walked through the halls until she came to the room where the summons said for her to go. She knocked three times, then announced herself. She waited three heartbeats before she entered the room.

Retipuj glanced around the room as she walked towards the chair before a bank of monitors. She stopped and knelt, one arm across her chest, head bowed. 'Sailor Retipuj, reporting as summoned, Night General Thanatos,' she said, keeping her head bowed, awaiting the Night General's commands.

Three knocks signaled the arrival the Dark Senshi. Sailor Retipuj, in specific. Thanatos found this particular Senshi to be rather interesting. Her strategy was to infiltrate the human society as a cook and privately fund her operations. Such a deep commitment to embedding herself amongst the enemy was commendable. Although, Thanatos did wonder how efficient of a plan this was.

Perhaps he could make use of this. Maybe this could provide an avenue of attack. A way to strike from the shadows and slip back into the cover. At least at the early stages. Eventually, this conflict would have to involve a large scale assault. Once they vanquished the Senshi, they could operate as openly as they pleased. It would be the most effective way to accomplish their goals. Perhaps a conversation could help hammer out some of the details.

"Excellent!" the Night General looked over towards Retipuj and gestured to the girl, to rise up from her kneeling position. "I've been thinking, Retipuj. Wondering just how we can kill the Senshi. Take a look!"

He pointed to the screens. They displayed the deaths of various youma. "Those who came before us, have failed in the most spectacular of ways." he said, "Blindly tossing these beasts at them. And somehow expecting a different result? Idiots!"

Thanatos scoffed, as he shook his head. Some of those fights were just embarrassing. "Which brings us to the top of strategy. You've lived in that city. What have you learned, so far?"

Rising as she was bid, Retipuj stood to attention, her back straight, feet together, arms by her sides, looking at a point just above General Thanatos's head, but beyond the wall behind him. When he motioned to the screens, Retipuj focused on them.

They showed the Senshi defeating youma after youma. 'It does seem a waste of resources, Night General,' she said carefully. 'It also appears that the ones who came before didn't learn from each others failures.'

When the Night General turned to her, and asked her opinion, Retipuj stood to attention again. 'I haven't had much chance to interact with anyone beyond those at school, my staff and customers,' she admitted. 'But I have been observing others as I go about the city. In most circles, the senshi are well liked, even revered as heroes. However, there are certain members of the city, those who enforce the human laws, and a few others, who don't like them. They see them as pests at best, criminals at worst.' She allowed herself a small smile. 'I have been doing my best to spread the feelings of mistrust in the senshi, using my cooking. It is slow, as I can only really plant the seeds of that mistrust, but those seeds will soon sprout into full hatred of them as they encounter more and more love of the senshi.'

Thanatos listened to what the Dark Senshi had to say. And as she concurred with his assessment of the fools that had preceded them, he gave a slow nod. He was more interested, however, in the intelligence she could provide on the enemy. At least from the what the civilians were up to. And while it wasn' a plan he would actively carry out, the general could appreciate the initiative she had taken in executing this plan of hers.

"Certainly a unique approach to our little problem." he said, "Turning the enemy to our side could be advantageous. Failing that, causing a division in their ranks will prove just as useful. Keep me informed of your progress. In the mean time, we need to gather as much intelligence as we can on the Senshi."

He gave a somewhat dismissive gesture to the screens behind him, "This is the sum total of what I've gathered, so far. The only good thing is that the Senshi are still quite blissfully unaware of our presence. And up until know, we know the caliber of enemy they are used to fighting. So long as they they remain under the impression that we are no different, we can lull them into a false sense of security. And we can gather more direct intelligence and make other moves while they do battle with low level opponents."

He paused for moment and tapped an idle finger against the armrest of the chair.

"Now then. This cooking of yours. How many people can you influence in a given day out of your restaurant?"

'Thank you, General Thanatos,' Retipuj said, bowing partly to hide to slight smile. She straightened once her smile had faded from her face, and stood, listening to Thanatos as he spoke.

His information backed up what Retipuj had picked up herself from listening and observing life in the city. But it never hurt to have your information verified. 'I haven't heard even murmurs of our presence, General Thanatos,' she said. 'In fact, it seems as though they are relaxing. While senshi have been spotted, they're not as active as they have been in the past.'

She paused for a moment, wondering if she should raise the idea she had been thinking about since she had been summoned, and had seen what was on the screens. But Thanatos beat her to it.

'Ummm... unfortunately I can only plant ten seeds per day,' she said. 'Any more and it not only weakens me, but also the spell. And they have to be susceptible to the spell in the first place. So it's limited, I admit, but it gives us a hidden weapon we could use. As, when fully sprouted, the spell bends the victims emotions to open hatred of senshi. To the point where, if they are so inclined, they will attack a senshi on sight.' She smirked as she reveled this part of the spell. 'However, I can't directly control their thoughts, but manipulate emotions. But since thoughts can be bent by emotion, it's a more subtle way of controlling someone, with less chance of them fighting against it.'

Once she had explained about her cooking and her powers, she stood, silently awaiting the Night Generals thoughts on her plan. All the while, straightening out her own thoughts on what she had seen on the screens. She looked at the screens, wondering if she should raise her idea or not.

Only ten seeds, per day? Well, that certainly seemed a bit restrictive. Although Thanatos would be quite the liar if he were to say that seeing civilians attack would not be worth the trouble. And if it was all a Dark Senshi's effort, which certainly would make it easier for the General to carry out his own plans.

In his own assessment, there were only benefits to this course of action.

"We'll find a way to work with this." he said, "Continue with your plan. I look forward to seeing it's results."

The other valuable piece of information was the knowledge that the Senshi were relaxing. This would be the perfect situation to begin the attack. Not the all out assault he would like, of course, but a few incursions could test the waters.

'Yes, General Thanatos,' Retipuj said, bowing. 'Thank you.' Retipuj smiled. Such praise from a Night General was great praise indeed! Especially one whose way of tackling things was different to her own. Though their ideas of what to do with the seeds she had planted were probably close.

Retipuj wondered if she should bring up her ideas, her thoughts on their possible future plans. She swallowed and stepped forwards. 'Night General Thanatos,' she began. 'Permission to speak freely.' She'd never spoken to Thanatos before, and didn't know how he would react to this behaviour. But from the little time she'd spent with him, he seemed open to new ideas.

Under most circumstances Thanatos preferred to rely on his own planning. But, this was a rather unusual situation. The way he saw it, the Dark Senshi were useful to fighting his enemies. The fact that his own forces had been all but eradicated also left him in rather awkward position. Before he could replenish the ranks of his own personal forces, he would have to rely on some alternative tactics.

So, when the Dark Senshi, Retipuj requested to speak freely, Thanatos turned a curious eye her way. Already, she had detailed a plan that was sure to provide some very interesting results. Did she have something else up her sleeve? Retipuj was certainly proving herself to be a very interesting asset.

He straightened back up in his seat and leaned back. Steepling his fingers together, he nodded, "By all means." he said.

Seeing the General sitting up straight, Retipuj straightened, wondering if she had crossed the line. But when Thanatos gave her permission to talk, Retipuj bowed. 'Thank you, Night General Thanatos.' She stood up straight, took a deep breath, using the time to straighten her thoughts out.

'From what little I saw of our predecessors has given me two thoughts, General Thanatos,' she said. 'The first one is they only had one idea going at a time. And the senshi would find out, either through intelligence or just luck, it doesn't matter. They stopped our predecessors plans, dead, while costing our predecessors resources in youma.' She swallowed before continuing. 'I believe the best way to beat the senshi is what you said. Cause a diversion, while carrying out our main plan on the other side of the city.' Her next idea was probably going to get her into trouble, but she had to raise it. 'My other thought, General Thanatos, is also from watching the senshi. The way they beat our predecessors is they worked together.

'Our predecessors were constantly fighting and bickering and stabbing each other in the back. They didn't work together. The senshi did. They even worked so well together that they could combine attacks.' She took a step forwards, took a deep breath. 'I believe, Night General Thanatos, if we are not to share the same fate as our predecessors, we must work together to defeat the senshi.' She waited to see what the Night General would think of her ideas, ready to accept any punishment he saw fit to dish out if she had spoken out of line.

Once again, Retipuj raised a rather interesting point. There was definitely a difference in tactics from the previous enemies of the Senshi, and the Senshi themselves. And that was in the teamwork that those insufferable Senshi utilized. Thanatos had to consider this matter very seriously. After all the evidence of what the Dark Senshi had to say was being looped on the screens he had set up.

"Perhaps." he said.

"Regardless of how the other Generals feel on this matter, one thing is for certain. We must keep the Senshi off balance. And if they work so well as a team." he continued, "Then it would be very prudent to keep them from functioning as such. Which coincides with our shared appreciation for the idea of creating as many diversions as we can. And, we would be fools not to learn from the mistakes that came before us. You may have a point."

Standing, waiting for General Thanatos to say something, worry started to gnawing away at her confidence. Had she overstepped the mark? Had she given Night General Thanatos something to think about? She got her answer several heartbeats later.

'Thank you, Night General Thanatos.' But she didn't allow herself to relax yet, not fully. All it meant was she would live, unscathed, to see tomorrow. A small smile formed on Retipuj's lips, before she wiped it off. 'I might have a way to set up a diversion, as well as a way to spread the seeds to more important people than my usual customers.' She took a deep breath. 'I've been invited to cook at some sort of night of music at the Shangri-La hotel.

'It's a high class establishment, and it's invite only. So there are going to be rich and powerful people there. It's possible that I might be able to plant the seeds of senshi distrust and hate in politicians, news editors or even the chief of police. Which would be a huge step in helping further our plans.' She sighed as one or two flaws came to mind. 'Unfortunately I won't be able to observe who orders which meal. But, I can pick up who is susceptible to my spell when they come in. So, if I plant an observer above the door, I can get it to mark the ones I tell it to, and I can know who orders what, and which meal to cast the spell on.' She sighed again. 'I can only sow ten seeds without tiring myself out, but, for a chance this big, if I push myself, I might be able to double it. I will be ill the following day, but it I can pull it off, it will be worth it if I cast the spell on some powerful people.'

"Have you now?" Thanatos lifted an eyebrow in curiosity.  It was good to see a little bit of ambition coming from one of his subordinates.  As she continued, he listened very carefully to the plan she had developed.  In a very fortuitous turn of events, this Dark Senshi's cover identity had been selected to serve for some of the city's elite.  Perhaps even the country's elite.  That was a game changer, to be sure.

Turning random civilians against the Senshi was one thing.  But actually controlling people who could make some decisions?  That sounded rather promising.  Imagine the Senshi fighting with the police...or even the military?  Half of their work could done before Thanatos even gathered an adequate force to crush the humans.

"So, you wish to bring a Youma along on this mission?" he said, "If it will help guarantee greater success, by all means."

The ill effects of the spell were of little concern to Thanatos.  At this point, having one Dark Senshi out of commission for one day was more than affordable.  The Night General had other plans he could execute in the meantime.

Watching Night General Thanatos arch an eyebrow, Retipuj knew she had piqued his interest in her plan. And as she continued to explain her plan, she watched with a growing confidence that he agreed with her plan. He was probably figuring out how to incorporate it into whatever plans he had. He was a Night General, they were always plotting.

'Thank you, Night General Thanatos,' Retipuj said, bowing slightly. 'That will increase the chances of affecting the correct people, the most important people dramatically.' She smiled as an addition came to mind. 'I may also show myself, cause havoc in the name of the senshi, while seeming to summon the youma. That way the seed will grow faster, and even those without the seed will grow to distrust the senshi.' She frowned, though she continued to smile. 'I will possibly be weakened, but I will still be able to handle a few humans.'

it seemed like a rather ambitious endeavor.  Enhanced by this Dark Senshi's desire to fight.  Thanatos could respect that level of commitment to a plan.  Even if that did put Retipuj at a greater risk.  He would have to keep an eye on this one.  She was bound to prove herself very useful as Queen Nyx's plans progressed.

"You certainly could." he concurred, "The humans are weak.  And at such a function, their guard will be lowered even further."

With a plan already in place, the Night General did not see much need for his further involvement.  The parameters were simple.  Infect the minds of some authority figures, feign an assault by the Senshi on these civilians and make a clean exit.  For now, he would have to think of the best way to take advantage of this situation.

"You are dismissed, Dark Senshi Retipuj.  I would say this has been a most productive meeting." he motioned to the room's exit, "Report back to me, once you have completed your mission.  I look forward to it's results."

'Indeed they will Night General Thanatos,' Retipuj said. Knowing when not to push her luck, Retipuj bowed to the Night General. 'Of course, Night General Thanatos. Thank you.' She straightened, turned and left the Generals war room.

Retipuj continued walking, her face a mask of indifference, her mind as still as she could make it. She arrived at the entrance of the palace and vanished.

She reappeared outside. She reverted back to her civilian identity, glanced back at the palace and smiled. The meeting had indeed gone well. Night General Thanatos seemed to approve of her plan. It was going to be glorious, sowing fear and distrust of the senshi amongst the cities elite! With that thought in her mind, and a smile on her lips, Nariko turned from the palace and headed home.