He finished the inspection, told AICA to keep her sensors up about any news about that letter and told her goodbye for now.
He headed back to the Flight Center and changed into training clothes.
Waiting for his wingmen he allowed him some coffee while he was watching the base from the window.
The two women entered the room while he was staring out the window, lost in his thoughts.
"Hey SunTzu. Thanks for making Hotaru so happy, we really appreciate it." Haruka said.
"Oh. Hey you guys. Didn't hear you come. It's cool, glad when I could give her some pleasure." He turned around and said with smile. "Guess it's time for the other training now?"
"Indeed. The Neo-Queen instructed us to take it easy at the beginning and rather focus on fighting together than sparring. Also no casting attacks yet." Michiru explained.
"Which doesn't mean that I won't fuck you up now." Haruka chimed in.
Great. Maybe it was about time to start reading specialist literature about Bacta and it's kinds of secondary effects.
They took a motor pool vehicle to the Palace and went to the Senshi's Training room, that was located in the back building also.
When they walked in, Setsuna was also there, training combos with her Garnet Rod, reminding SunTzu, that she'd probably would kick his Ass too. With pleasure.
She was so concentrated on training that She didn't stop when the two Senshi and SunTzu arrived so the later three decided to not disturb her.
The plan was to train some basic hand to hand combat.
"I'll start if you don't mind." Michiru said to Haruka, who frowned.
"You should be lucky that I can't reject things to you." Haruka replied. "But leave some for me." She winked at her.
SunTzu didn't found that cool. And also he was not so cool to fight with a slender woman like Michiru was one.
They lined up on one of the fighting rings and nodded at each other.
Haruka gave the signal to start and Michiru immediately rushed towards SunTzu. She was fast.
Jumping up she tried to hit him with her fist but he could block it with two hands, making her give up her attack attempt and back up a bit. She started another attack and this time tried to go low with a kick to his knee cap that he barely could dodge.
Taking the swing with her she took another try with her fist immediately afterwards. And this time she hit his jaw.
He answered with a block and push against her, making room.
She hit harder than he thought. She attacked again with a high kick that he could only block with his shoulder.
Okay Girlfriend, Orders were Orders and he was ordered by the queen herself to do this. While he blocked the kick with his shoulder he tried to grab her but she was to quick.
He was leaning trying another time grab her. He wanted to use his higher mass to his advantage and subdue her.
But she parried fast and catapulted her feet against him, using the force to get away as he struggled against the impact.
So much for basic hand to hand training, when even Michiru was out to knock him out cold.
He immediately jumped after her but she was to fast, he used the energy to roll up and landed beside her in a bit of distance as she got up after landing on her back.
Immediately jumping up again he got after her and swing wide with his right arm.
His arm found a target but it wasn't Michiru. His fist crashed into her Deep Aqua Mirror she was suddenly holding up with both arms to cover her face.
"Owww! What the fuck! You said basic hand to hand combat not some magic items!" He complained shaking his hand in pain. The mirror was harder than the Vong's face he hit yesterday.
"Sorry! I was pretty sure you would hit me hard so I had to defend myself." She said with an apologizing face, pulling the mirror down. "Let me see your hand."
She took his hand and opened it gently with her delicate fingers, checking if something was seriously hurt.
"It's okay. I'm sorry, I didn't want to fight against you at all but I guess I got carried away after you hit my face."
"Same, but if it's for a greater good, you know."
"I know. I'm just not cool with fighting against the persons I'm here to protect. Especially if they're women."
She looked up into his eyes, her fingers in his hand.
"Draw?" She smiled.
"Draw." He answered and she closed her fingers around his for a handshake.
"Excuse me! You two know that I'm still here, right?" Haruka yelled, seeming pretty jealous. "How about that it's my turn now?"
"Awww, look who's jealous. Sorry my Love." She slowly moved her fingers of SunTzu's hand, caressing his hand while doing so, looking SunTzu in the eyes.
"I'll try to keep my fingers off the new coworker and leave him to you", she said with a provocative smile while she walked away with extra swinging hips.
Thanks to Michiru teasing, SunTzu would suffer even more now, he knew.
When Michiru reached Haruka both of them shared a passionate kiss and then traded places.
"Ready to get your arse kicked?" She asked SunTzu with a smile.
No, not after yesterday. Or last week. But it's not that anyone would ever care.
Both got into position and Haruka changed into a Combat Stance, holding her hands up. Michiru was about to give the signal to let the fight start, when the Garnet Rod appeared in front of her and Sailor Pluto walked in front of her looking at SunTzu.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to have this exercise with the Lieutenant my dear Haruka." Setsuna said with a serious tone.
Great, Mama was obviously not happy that her daughter went flying with me today, SunTzu thought.
Haruka let her Arms down and stepped back. Although she really wanted to find out how good SunTzu was in hand to hand combat, and give him a rundown for actually let Michiru use him to tease her, but she knew that one shouldn't get between Sailor Pluto and her adversary, not even other Senshi. Why Pluto was so eager to fight against SunTzu she didn't even know tho. Maybe she was angry because SunTzu really took Hotaru on a flight exercise. She felt a bit of bad conscience, after all Hotaru had a great time and SunTzu really took care, but Setsuna seemed angry and SunTzu was about to feel that.
And SunTzu knew. But he had a trick above his sleeve too. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and began his breathing techniques.
"Any objections Lieutenant?" Setsuna asked.
Yes, plenty but I'm not coming out of this anyway. He could feel her power in the force, it wasn't the force itself but another strong form of energy flowing through her.
"I wouldn't mind not fighting against someone who has a weapon to be honest"
"You think the enemy will hold back also?"
"Point."
Let's just get over with it. This won't take long anyway, SunTzu was sure.
"When you're ready Lieutenant."
"Thank you Doctor."
They lined up and Haruka gave the signal. Michiru was fast but Setsuna was like a flash. She crossed the distance between them and tried to hit SunTzu with a jumped of the Garnet Rod. SunTzu could only dodge with a jumped roll, she immediately went on and slashed after him. He could only roll away and move from left to right to avoid getting hit, as she was standing above him already. Her eyes
He tried to tackle her with a swift leg slash but she parried with her boot and a stomp on his ankle.
Through the sting of pain he tried to leg slash her again and this time she at least had to back up as reaction.
With clenched teeth he jumped up and got into a defensive stance.
"Not bad. I was pretty sure I could take you out with my first attack." She said with a respectful nod. She grabbed the Garnet Rod with both hands across her chest and carefully crossed the distance.
She had the advantage of Range, what is she doing, SunTzu asked himself.
Both opponents began to circle around each other, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Her icecold stare pierced through him.
Suddenly she leaped forward and with a slash from the downside she tried to pull him off his legs, he answered with jumping forward, intended to tackle her down. With a swift move she swung the Garnet Rod back, trying to fend him off. This stopped his jump but he held onto the Rod now with two hands.
While they both were wrestling for control of the garb their eyes met. They both stopped their struggle for a second. Her eyes were showing the hint of passion burning inside them now but there was also something else, a deep sadness. Like the whole fight hurted her.
"Sorry," she whispered.
He heard her say Garnet Ball and then was thrown back a few meters landing hard on the training mattresses.
Outside the ring Michiru and Haruka were sharing a rather shocked glance at each other.
He needed a moment to come back to his senses and when he opened his eyes she was already towering over him again, Garnet Rod aiming onto his temple and ready to strike.
Her eyes were showing the usual cold again.
"Pluto!" Michiru yelled. The older Senshi didn't show any sign that she heard her, just standing there, ready for a final strike.
SunTzu just glanced in her eyes, finding that sadness again.
"Pluto! Stop!" Michiru yelled again as the two other Senshi hurried over.
Pluto snapped out and lowered the Garnet Orb.
"Sorry, I got carried away." She apologized.
SunTzu sat up and looked at her again, as she stepped away a few steps.
"It's okay. Happens in the heat of battle." He answered. "Nice trick there."
"Are you okay?" Michiru asked him, kneeling next to him.
"I'm good I guess." he replied, looking forward with a stoic expression.
What was that right now?
"You still up for a fight against me now, Mate?" Haruka asked him mockingly, standing next to him.
He glanced up to here.
"Haruka, in all honesty. Fuck you." Haruka started laughing while SunTzu started rub his temple.
Sailor Pluto left, rare with words, and the other two Senshi and SunTzu gave the later a few moments to relax before he stood up. Neptune and Uranus apologized for their fellow Outer Senshi but SunTzu told them that it was okay. She was right, the enemy wouldn't hold back either.
They went back to the Airbase, showered and changed back into a regular uniform. The two woman went home, SunTzu told them he'd have dinner at the Base and then take a taxi home or see if he could catch a ride home with Ami.
It was already dark, when he stepped into the dining hall, which was pleasantly quiet and low frequented right now.
He got dinner, today was Fish'n'Chips Friday again and some greasy food was the right thing to cheer him up now.
As he sat there, a bit aside, and ate, Minako came over and sat down.
They greeted each other and she pulled out a phone.
Oh, Selfie Time.
But she wasn't taking a picture, instead she dialed a number and called someone
"Hey, it's me. I found him. He's here, having dinner at the dinning hall. Okay, I'll tell him. Bye." She ended the call and looked to him, smiling.
"The Neo-Queen asks for your audience in the Crystal Tower." He was about to stand up with a surprised face, when she motioned him to sit down. "After your Dinner. Trust me you have time. I'll take you there when you finished."
He basically vacuumed in his food and they left shortly after Minako showed up.
They walked over to the Crystal Tower with her leading on. This time he wasn't lead into the throne room tho. They followed one of the corridors on and Minako led him to a guarded elevator, who took them up the tower.
Around two third of the absolute height it stopped and let them out to what seemed to be the sanctums of the Royal Family.
Minako led him in front of a big door in the midst of the story.
She knocked on the door and a Come in could be heard.
"Just a second, please. I have to check something." Minako told him with an apologizing smile. "If you don't mind, would you turn around, please." She motioned him.
He did as told and she opened the door a bit.
He heard a flustered conversation.
"Usagi, are you dressed yet? I brought him with me, he's standing behind me."
"Give me a second. Luna, where are my Earrings?! Oh God, I got three missed calls from Mamo already. Mina I need your help with my hair!" The muffled voice of the Princess could be heard.
Minako turned around and smiled apologizing again.
"The Neo Queen will receive you in a moment. Please stand at ease." That said she disappeared in the door.
12 Minutes later the door opened again, revealing Luna, seemingly annoyed.
"If you might want to step inside Lieutenant." She said and motioned him to enter. When he passed her she whispered into his ear "I'm sorry, for keeping you waiting. And this mess."
He walked in what seemed the Princess room's. This here was a living room with a door leading to a big dressing room or walkable wardrobe, a door to a bathroom and another closed door, probably into the Royal Couple's Bedroom.
Minako was sitting at a Settee, looking quite stressed out too.
"Ah, yes. Here I put my earrings. I'm almost done girls. Where is the Lieutenant?" The Queen's voice came out of the bathroom.
Putting on a pair of Diamond Earrings she walked out of the bathroom.
She was wearing a beautiful pink ball dress and a smaller version of her crown as Tiara with her usual hairstyle of buns and long blonde pigtails. Stunning as always.
"Oh, there you are Lieutenant. Excellent. I need you to do me an important favor." She said.
"At your service your Majesty!" he stood straight and saluted.
"I need you to fly me to a rooftop in Old Tokyo Town. I have an important… Meeting there, with the King and the Princess already waiting for me. The fastest way to get there now is your Spaceplane. Is this possible?"
"For me it's not a problem, I can let AICA land on the Palace Landing Place in a few minutes. The bigger problem is the permission to fly through and land in Tokyo."
"Oh, that's no problem." She motioned with a wave of her hand. "Luna would you be so kind."
The black haired woman mumbled something that sounded like being late as an excuse for interference into flight safety policies isn't right but nodded.
"If you wish your late Highness."
"Maybe you can solve it that way, that we can make that exception for the Royal Family all the time now. Let Artemis do it or so?" The Queen shrugged.
Luna pulled out her phone and called.
"Yes, your beloved Wife. No I'm not coming back yet to help you to take Diana into bed. And if you, Admiral Smartass, don't want to have Bringing-Diana-to-Bed-Duty the whole week, I need you to do something…" she walked out the room for the rest of the conversation.
One day, one beautiful day, he'll find the time to think about all this and to really analyze the whole professionalism of this Kingdom.
He stood there for a few minutes more, with the Queen buzzing all over the place still getting ready with Minako's help, when a satisfied looking Luna came back.
"Permission granted. Permanently."
He nodded impressed. That actually was quite a flex to get that permission.
Over his chrono he called AICA and told her to get ready for takeoff and that fast but with triple checking everything, the Queen was about to be their passenger.
"I can fly like this, right?" the Queen asked motioning over her dress.
"I'll fly extra smooth, I'll promise. But we are construed for this sort of transport my Queen."
"Very well, I see you at the landing spot in five minutes."
"Affirmative, I'll be down, waiting, checking the Fighter again."
He said goodbye to Minako and Luna and left the tower, heading for the landing pad.
"AICA, Status?" he called her.
"Pre-Flight-Checks down, three times, Systems green, Fuel at a 100%. I'm leaving now, where to go?"
"Head for my signal, there's a Landing Spot here."
"Alright, be right there."
Two minutes later AICA sat down on the landing spot and SunTzu did another quick outside inspection. Not everyday that a Queen is your passenger at all.
After that he got into the cockpit and ran another check. Everything was running smooth. They were ready for their passenger.
But she didn't come after five minutes or ten. He let AICA even turn on music quietly again to kill time.
Soon as he got out to light a cigarette a gasping Neo Queen came in jogging holding her dress up to not get dirt on it. Minako followed her, helping her keeping the dress up.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant. Are we ready to go?" She asked, between two breaths.
"We are your Majesty. Let me help you inside." He gave her a hand so she could put her high heels into one of the embedded entry steps of the fighter and gave her a leg-up after. She sat down and smiled.
"Way more comfortable than I imagined."
"Thank you your majesty, I'll make sure your flight will be pleasant." AICA said.
"Oh, I forgot. Your ship can talk. Hello there!"
While AICA and the queen introduced themselves to each other, SunTzu got into the Fighter too and made sure that the queen was belted properly and safe.
"I hope I didn't destroy my hairdo now." The queen commented. And tried to get a glimpse at the rear view mirror.
"You're stunning my queen." SunTzu reassured her with a calm, neutral voice.
He got in his seat and strapped himself in, gave Venus a wave as goodbye and closed the canopy.
"Uhh, this is exciting. Ami already told it's great to fly in here." The queen babbled on the backseat. She was visibly excited.
He turned the engines on, asked for starting permission and turned around.
"We're good for take off. Where to your Majesty?"
"Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, direct on the roof if possible."
"Affirmative. On the way." That said he started the Repulsors and slowly lifted off into the night. After rising a few meters, he turned on the Thrusters too and began to rise forward.
Slowly but steady he rose over the palace and with a loop around the Crystal Tower they were off to Tokyo.
"Wow, what a view, I think I saw my quarters from here!" Serenity cheered from the back.
He smiled, that little maneuver didn't fail it's intention.
He rose more and picked up pace.
"You even have music here, I see."
"Oh, I'm sorry, if it disturbs you my Queen. I'll turn it off." He replied, the Ships incom was playing a song as they passed over the Bridge to Tokyo Harbor.
"No please, it sounds fitting." She said as they passed over the lights of the harbor. "And SunTzu, please call me Usagi in Private. You calling me Queen and Majesty all the time makes me feel old. Also someone who already saved my Senshi so many times earned that right." She smiled.
"I will your Maj… Usagi. By the way, we will be there in two minutes." He replied.
"I'm pretty late, is there a way we can at least guarantee a grande entrance?"
"Well, if it's okay for you I could take a low approach through the town and circle the towers a bit, before I land." He proposed. "Nothing too risky tho. You're in good hands with us."
"Sounds like fun." She answered. "Lieutenant, I hereby order you to commence Operation Grand Entrance." She said with a smile.
"Affirmative, hang on queen."
He boosted the thrusters and descended, turning left to Shinagawa and then another one leading to Azabujuban Station, overflying the part of the city the queen grew up. He took another turn and prominently took a loop around the Tokyo Tower, which the queen commented with more cheering.
"Okay, final spurt. You okay back there?"
"More than that, this is awesome." She commented beaming.
He flew in direction of the Skyscraper that was prominently standing in front of them, bathed in light.
He descended and when he arrived at the tower he rose in circles around it, giving everybody around a crazy show. People on the rooftop where completely stunned by the display of flying the Fighter was doing around the tower. Some were afraid, that it would hit the tower.
"I'm gonna land now"
He crossed the top of the Tower and started hovering. There was a rooftop bar with a pool In the middle. He know how he would even make it even better. He descended and hovered the A-Wing not even a meter over the pool. People were going crazy and the present press photographers started taking pics of the dark A-Wing as he hovered over the pool. SunTzu turned around, stood up and hanged over his seat, opening the queens seatbelt.
"Okay, AICA glide over a bit to the pool edge and I help the Queen get out." he ordered his ship. "Open the canopy when I tell you."
As soon as she was free, the asked for her hand and nodded to her, to see if she was ready. She also quoted the song.
"Put my voice on the speaker and open the canopy after." He ordered AICA.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Her Royal Highness, Neo Queen Serenity!" In this Moment the canopy opened and she stood up. SunTzu jumped on the wing and helped her out of the cockpit and onto the wing from where he helped her down to the building's roof.
People were speechless, he could make out King Endymion and Princess Serenity III. standing a bit afar, they're mouths open. The Queen was now posing for the Press Cameras at the rooftop and after a small salute to the King he got back into the cockpit, closing the canopy. A few of the photographers also took pictures of him. As soon as he was back in the cockpit he veered AICA off from the side the Queen was still sieged by the press. He didn't want to splash water on her when he rose. He slowly ascended and the queen shot him a last glance with a wink before she gave interviews for the Media.
After he had risen around 50 Meters above the Bar he gave thrust and shot off into the night.
Mission accomplished, although he had a good laugh, that he and the most sophisticated Starfighter in existence had just been abused as taxi for a Queen that was too late for a party.
He rose over the city and decided to take it easy with getting back. Being allowed to fly over the city was awesome. Tokyo's Night Lights looked stunning this Middle March Night.
"You have a new message." AICA came in.
"You're my smart phone now?" he asked.
"I decided to connect to it always now, yes. You're supposed to fly not texting." She explained.
"Okayyy. And what does it say?"
"Hi, I was wondering if you could pick me up and get me back to the palace. It looked like fun when you came in with Mom. And it's boring AF here. Bunny Emoji Wave Emoji Chibiusa."
Looks like he was the Royal Chauffeur today.
"AICA, tell her, we'll be taking her home and that we'll pick her up at the entrance of the Mori Tower."
He put AICA in a loop and headed back to Roppongi Hills.
A minute later he landed in front of the Tower, this time he went without stirring any attention.
A few minutes later the Princess came out of the tower, escorted by a bodyguard in a dark suit.
She told the bodyguard goodbye and walked over to AICA. She wore a pink dress, the same color as her hair and also a small tiara similar to her mother's.
He was waiting outside the starship, having a cigarette.
"Your Uber has arrived" he told her and saluted with two fingers.
„Dude, leave some coolness for us. First that entrance on the roof and now you're standing here, in front of Mori Tower with a damn starfighter smoking a cigarette as it's nothing." She said with a grin.
„Guess that comes with the job. Also the entrance was an order of your Mother. I was just following orders." He told her with a wink.
"Hello Chibiusa!" AICA told.
"Hello AICA!"
Ah, Hotaru wasn't alone all the time visiting AICA. Maybe it was time to check the security measures on the airbase.
"To the palace, right?"
"Yeah, if it's okay."
"No problem. I was on my way back anyway. Hop in."
"Wait a second and come here." She stood in front of AICA , waited till he was in the seeker and took a Selfie of them three.
He helped her inside, buckled her up safely and sat down too.
"You good, no problem with flying or something Princess?"
"Just excited. Hotaru said it's awesome. Oh and call me Chibiusa. I'm not your regular damsel and don't need the title. I'm cool when you call me by my name."
"Aye Aye Ma'am."
"Let's get out here. God, was it boring up there."
AICA lifted off and he steered her up through the Tokyo Skies.
"What is that Party about anyway? It seemed important to the Queen."
"Ah, something about backers of the Taskforce. Rich old men. Don't ask me how they were staring at me. I was so glad, that she finally got there and i could leave! A wonder nobody had a heart attack after your great show." She laughed.
"Wanna do the same trick around Tokyo Tower?" He asked her.
"That would be lit!" She yelled enthusiastically.
He steered AICA up the Tokyo Tower the same way he did with the Mori Tower. Chibiusa cheered the same way her Mother did. The resemblance was uncanny, in and out.
After the small stunt he climbed up and gave her a few moments to take pictures of Tokyo by night from the Sky.
Five minutes later they landed at the Palace Landing Spot, where a black wearing Hotaru was waiting.
"Dude, that was awesome. We need to do it again please!" Chibiusa rejoiced.
"Sure, just let me know."
He helped her out of the A-Wing and she waved him goodbye, running over to Hotaru who got a big hug. The two girls talked for a minute or two and then hugged again, the Princess left afterwards.
SunTzu was having another cigarette, he was tired. And his body started to feel sore after the rubdown Setsuna gave him.
Saturn waved at him and came over.
"Still flying I see."
"Been promoted to Royal Uber." He said ironically.
"Mind to take me home too?" She asked, more shyly then he would have expected from her.
"If you promise me, that your Mother won't be mad at me. She didn't seem happy after your earlier flight." He replied honestly and felt his ankle where she stomped onto him again.
"She won't. I guess at least. She didn't seem angry about it at all. Even more like being happy because I was so happy."
If this was happy he didn't want to see angry. All Bacta in the universe wouldn't safe him then.
"Okay, whatever. Jump in." He said and flipped his cigarette away. He was too tired to give fucks anymore today anyway.
Ten minutes later they landed in front of a nice house in the outskirts of the central prefecture.
He touched down and opened the Canopy. A happy, pictures with Tokyo by Night as well as another Selfie with the new Pilot richer, joyfully Hotaru literally jumped out the cockpit and landed safely next to it.
"Thanks so much again. I really enjoyed that too." She politely told him.
"It's all good Kiddo. You'll have a good night and I'll see you around."
She walked away and after a few steps she turned around and waved at him again.
Setsuna, now untransformed, appeared next to her. Hugging her from behind and telling something into her ear.
Hotaru left with a last glance to SunTzu and Setsuna walked over to AICA and her Pilot.
Maybe it would be better for an alarm take off. Or should he rather instruct AICA to arm the Self Defense Blaster?
"Good evening SunTzu." The Doctor greeted the Pilot.
"Good evening Doctor."
"Setsuna." She said.
"Setsuna." He replied.
"I know that you're probably not really in a mood to talk with me after earlier ago. But I wanted to thank you for the nice day you gave my adoptive daughter today. I haven't seen her that happy in a long, long time. Thank you." She said with the hint of a smile.
"Nothing to thank me for. I'm glad I could make her feel happy. I can imagine she didn't have the easiest of lives." He said soberly and looked down.
"Unfortunatly she didn't have so I really appreciate things making her as happy as it did today." Setsuna stated, looking down to the ground too.
"I see. Let me know, if I can or should take her flying again."
"I will. Good Night SunTzu."
"Good Night Setsuna."
He closed the canopy, while she backed up a few steps.
He rose into the sky and took course back to Crystal Tokyo.
Setsuna stood there, her gaze following the black A-Wing till it was out of sight.
He landed AICA at the base, checked himself off with the Flight Center, said goodnight to AICA and left the base through the main gate. A taxi, that he ordered on the flight to the base was waiting there for him to take him home.
—