A few days went by and before the couple got talk with the Queen and the King both of the Royals left Earth for Coruscant again.
Sailor Mars was busy also. He didn't know why but right now the Diplomats and Politicians were pretty active again and it didn't took long that Rei had to leave too.
She was proud. Her first assignment not only as Diplomat of the Crystal Kingdom but also at the same time as official representative of the Galactic Alliance. She was scheduled to arrive at the Empress Teta System and it's name giving Capital Planet by tomorrow.
Her mission was to negotiate the terms for a special delivery of raw material straight up for Bilbringi. The Imperial Remnants' Shipyards, the Remnant received back for joining in the Galactic Alliance, there were ready to stamp out ships for the war but they needed more material including the rare earth elements that Teta offered.
And Rei Hino was about to organize them.
She was at her home in the shrine, packing her luggage when her boyfriend called up. She answered.
"Babe, I'm busy packing. What is it?"
"Sorry, I just wanted to let you know your flight with the shuttle got annulled."
"What?! Why? How do I get to the Core now?"
"A certain pilot offered himself and his A-Wing as transport and escort to our lead diplomat. And since this certain pilot sometimes has his light moments he didn't do it over the official Chain of Command but rather over the Head of the Royal Court. And a certain Admiral pretty much didn't have any chance other than to agree to his wife's proposal. Filling up an A-Wing is less expense than a Shuttle. Plus our Diplomat, not that she'd need it, has a Bodyguard around her. On the other side, you're flying in AICA's backseat and not in the cabine of a shuttle."
"There's no place I'd rather be in space. You're the best! Just when I was about to project my anger of being separated from you onto you, you come up with this."
"Yeah, as I know you I was expecting something like that. Pure self-defense so."
"Too bad, I was just about to pack something very small and see-through as gift for your altruism. Top Gun sometimes you still don't know when to shut up."
"Yeah well. My light moments are limited. I'll have lunch with the girls now, they arrived yesterday from Anaxes."
"Say Hi from me. I'll be back in Crystal Tokyo soon but I'll message you."
"See you soon then."
"I do hope so. Oh and just to let you know, I totally will take advantage of that you're my bodyguard and I'm your de-facto superior."
"At your service then, Ma'am. Let me know if you need anything before we go. Bye Rei."
"Bye Babe."
"God, did you just change the tone of your voice Mate?"
"Haruka!"
The two women and SunTzu got to the dinning hall and had lunch together. Michiru told him about what they were doing after SunTzu left Anaxes.
"It was very informative and some of the workshops we attended were great. There even was one hold by Tycho Celchu. But also it wasn't the same without you. I missed to have you around. And although she would never admit it Haruka was probably missing you even more than I did."
"What? Me? Missing him? I was just pissed that he left us on our own their while he made his Jedi Chaperon back him up to go home to spent time with his girlfriend. Very dutiful of you Pilot SunTzu."
"Oh, don't worry. While you were sleeping in a class room day in, day out, I did my part and depopulated Tokyo's Top Underworld together with Sailor Mars." SunTzu countered Haruka's explanation.
Michiru sighed, but mostly out of show. She knew that all of three of them were happy to be together again. It was just a bit sad, that SunTzu had to leave again today.
"How long you're gonna be away?" She asked him.
"I hope we're back in three days. Depends on the negotiations."
"Well, maybe you can keep it in your pants so Rei can focus on her mission."
"You really missed me, didn't you?"
"I spent days without insulting you. I need to compensate for that now."
"I can see that. And you just proved my point. Haruka, you missed me."
"I did not. Didn't even recognize you were gone."
"Haruka!" Michiru scolded her girlfriend. "Don't listen to her. If I got one Credit for every time she said something like SunTzu would like that or SunTzu would have the same opinion I could buy my own Star Destroyer."
Haruka glanced over to her girlfriend, clenching her teeth.
"I guess we see you on the Far Side then." Michiru continued.
"Why? Are we moving out?" He asked her.
"Oui, tomorrow. Patrolling the CTE and Shwuy Exchange again. Word is that the Royals will catch up with the Far Side too, when they come back from Coruscant."
"I feel sorry for you Guys. That means Scouting Missions all over again."
"Yeah."
They finished lunch and said their goodbyes. Although it wasn't long he was happy to see his girls again. He did miss them too. But soon the Trio Infernale would be cruising through space again.
The two girls got over to the Airbase afterwards and while they left he called in AICA and asked her if she was ready to go.
The AI affirmed and soon came over to the palace landing zone, where the two greeted each other.
Rei messaged him, that she was on her way so he got over to the main palace entrance. Just as he got her she arrived. He carried her luggage over to AICA while she went to the administrative building to get the latest updates and Intel for her mission from the diplomatic staff, Luna and Ami.
SunTzu got the latest Intel regarding the safety of the trip from intelligence and read it on his datapad.
Weapons and gear were checked, dark suits packed, Rei's luggage safely stowed and AICA was ready for takeoff. Just because it was another getaway with Rei didn't mean he wouldn't take his job as Bodyguard serious.
Before he went into the cockpit he shot a message to Hotaru, telling her, that as soon as he was back her training would continue.
But Rei took like forever to come over to the landing spot.
The pilot turned Bodyguard even walked over to the dining hall and got coffee and a snack and she still wasn't finished.
It took three hours till she showed up, accompanied by Minako. The two girls waved at him, as he sat in his cockpit. He was so bored he started reading the analog version of AICA's operator's handbook. Rei was not even in her pilot suit yet.
"Sorry Baby, I chat away with Minako after the meeting. Are we good to go?"
We were ready over three hours ago, but take your time my Love.
"Of course, just finished the preparations. Everybody have a last pitstop and we're off."
That said, he jumped out the cockpit and vanished into the nearest building.
The girls looked at each other, why was he annoyed?
Ten minutes later and just a small reminder that she better should put on her pilot suit, the two were really ready to go.
Minako waved at them as they took off and rose up into the evening sky of Crystal Tokyo.
"Finally. That took so long. AICA turn on some music. TopGun, i need to study some data back here, maybe you can see that the flight is as steady as it can be."
"Aye Aye Boss."
Rei pulled down her flight helmet and pulled out a datapad.
Soon they jumped into Hyperspace, just a minimal stop in Coruscant they were strictly in Hyperspace for the next ten hours.
Three hours later she put her datapad to the side.
"I'm going to sleep now. Maybe we can keep this calm flying up."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Great. Goodnight."
Okay, next time she takes the shuttle again.
SunTzu could have slept too and could have left the flying to AICA, even with the small fall into real space coming up but he opted to stay awake and make sure the flight was quiet so she could sleep.
One hour and two minutes later they jumped from the Coruscant System into Hyperspace to Empress Teta.
Rei didn't wake up at all because he was flying so steadily.
SunTzu quietly yawned as he watched the stream of hyperspace outside the cockpit flowing by. Suddenly he was hugged from the back seat and her face leaned forward.
"I'm sorry I'm so rude today. I'm a bit nervous because this whole thing is so important. And I want to do it right. Might even rub it into my father's face."
She kissed his cheek.
"Thanks for taking care of me." She looked up. "Thank you too AICA."
"No problem. I'll try to help SunTzu to fly steady and quiet." The artificial intelligence said.
Rei turned back to SunTzu.
"You should get some sleep too. It's late."
She kissed his cheek again. "You need to be fit enough to carry my luggage later, Mr. Bodyguard."
They smiled and she put her hand in his as he tried to get comfortable and closed his eyes.
He slept a few hours and as he woke up he saw that they had less than one hour left till the landing. He drank a sip of water from a bottle nearby and took over full control again.
A short time later Rei woke up too and they got ready to return to real space.
The fell out of Hyperspace some distance off the capital planet Empress Teta, who was also known as Cinnagar, the name of his capital city.
They immediately got landing permission and an assigned landing spot in the administrative part of the gigantic city, that spanned over most of the planet.
They landed as the sun just began to rise over the district and a small detachment of the planet's government welcomed them.
They were pretty impressed that an official representative of the Galactic Alliance was actually traveling in a starfighter, rather than a shuttle or even yacht. Of course Rei let them subtly know, that she took pride in her background as warrior. SunTzu was not even greeted properly, and he was just busy bringing the luggage to the hover limousine that was waiting for them.
SunTzu said his goodbye to AICA as he closed the last storage compartment and told her to immediately radio in if something would come up. They both knew she would check the local holo and communication networks for anything suspicious.
The repulsor car brought them to the top-class hotel Rei was supposed to stay. She had a suite in one of the top floors. Because SunTzu was just a bodyguard he had a regular room a few floors below her suite. He formally protested out of security concerns but all he was told, was that it would be reviewed.
One of the hotel's meeting rooms was also the place where the negotiations would be held. So at least no worrying about going from hotel to meeting.
Rei was immediately in her element and after refreshing herself and changing clothes into something more fitting, she took part in a breakfast with the other participants of the negotiations, mainly two representatives from the planet as hosts and three managers from the local miner's guild.
SunTzu who just had time to get the luggage Into their room, checked the rooms on bugs, checked his gun and jumped into a suit before the meeting had a shot of caf and a sweet pastry, he got In the hotel lobby, between his room and the conference room. The day had started just great.
At least he was in the same room as Rei. And how enchanting she was, when she was in her element. She really got good in this whole negotiation things lately. Firm occurrence, precisely chosen vocabulary and self confidence dripping from her. There was nothing to see from the nervousness she told about on the flight to Empress Teta.
But her opponents were though too. They knew how much the GA and the Remnant needed the rare materials and wanted to make as much credits as they could out of it. They started the negotiations with prices so high that it was just ridiculous.
Why does everybody always wanted to make a quick buck with the horrible things that were going on in the galaxy?
It was after lunch and SunTzu basically haven't talked to Rei since they arrived.
He was about to go to his room and get the newest Intel about the security situation in this part of the galaxy.
Since Rei didn't have time he tried to at least do his job more than perfect.
The elevator he was taking was about to close when a tender hand came in and the door opened again.
"Mind if I get in too?" It was Rei.
"Absolutely not, but we gonna stop in my floor first." Both of them were sure, that the camera in this elevator was not safe.
"I don't think so Lieutenant. I need you to recheck my room for bugs again."
"Affirmative Ma'am."
He was pretty sure she just told for him to come over to really check for bugs and he was already searching for the small scanner in his jacket.
Rei opened the door and strolled in, closely followed by him.
SunTzu closed the door and was about to turn on the scanner when she snatched him and threw herself on him, he catched her with his arms as she slang her legs around his waist.
"I'm so sorry." She said in between french-kissing him. "I didn't think that it would be that bad again."
"It's the moments like that that make it worthwhile." He answered before they kissed again.
"You're way too good with me."
She moaned as he kissed her neck.
"I know, but there's nothing I can do to change it now, so I'll take it as it is. And make it harder for you." One of his hands pressed her up to him, the other was moving up her body, grasping her curves.
"Have to admit it works." She moaned again and bit his lip. "Okay, stop. Stop it." She hit his hand with hers and he let her down.
She took a big breather and smoothed her clothes.
"Okay." Rei took another breather and some time to come clear again. "I don't care if you have to climb up here and enter through the window but you Mister, will be in this room tonight."
The Diplomat walked up to a big mirror in the beautifully and exotic decorated room and began to fix her look again.
After she was satisfied with her looks again she turned around.
She pointed at his mouth and circled her finger.
"Babe, might want to make yourself presentable too again."
He looked at her with a questioningly face.
"Lipstick." She stated bluntly.
"Oh!" He went to the bathroom.
Good, his dorky side was adorable.
The undercover lovers left the room a few minutes later again, acting as nothing had happened and got back to the conference room.
SunTzu settled down as Rei got back to the conference table and the negotiations continued. Two places to his left another bodyguard sat, a tall short haired brunette in functional but upscale clothing. She was around his age and followed the conference silently without any emotion.
The two dents in her jacket meant she was well armed also.
The earthling quickly glanced over to her. She was pretty attractive.
At first the female bodyguard said nothing and just followed the conference where the hosts of the government just read out the offer the Galactic Alliance was about to pay. This definitely would lead to some discussions.
The woman slipped one seat nearer.
"You're the bodyguard of the GA Representative, right?" She asked SunTzu.
"Lieutenant SunTzu, Taskforce Sol, Galactic Alliance Forces at your disposal."
"Captain Gistess Colystel. Empress Teta Royal Guard Special Force, currently deployed as Bodyguard to the secretary of commerce."
So she was the bodyguard of the head of the host delegation.
"You're also serving a Monarchy. Quite an interesting one as well. A small, single city state is the authority over your solar system as established from the GA." She sure did her homework.
"Trust me, we are quite the unique nation."
She shot him a smile.
"I bet. Care to get some caf? I don't think somebody will kill the delegation the next fifteen minutes."
"Uhm." He looked over to Rei. Just a coffee between comrades that had the same profession. It's not like he would dance with a foreign senator, right? Just to see if he could get some infos about this place would make it okay he guessed.
"Sure. Let's go." He answered and they both silently left the room. Nobody took notice except a certain raven haired diplomat. And she wasn't amused.
The two bodyguards got outside and got some of the dark, aromatic caffeinated hot drink, that was very similar to earth's coffee and went to a high table with their drinks.
"You're a starfighter ace, isn't that right. Quite the war hero already."
"I see, my reputation precedes me." He took a sip of his beverage. "What about you?Pretty young for a Guard Captain."
"I volunteered for the Ground Forces in the Vong War, I was 17 but, you know, the New Republic needed everyone back then. At the end of the war I was a member of the GA Spec Forces. Sithspawn, I even fought in the Liberation of Coruscant." The woman shrugged. "Somehow I survived the war and got back home. Since fighting was all I knew I decided to join the guard, my service record helped a lot to become officer.
He had to admit she was an very interesting person.
The two of them talked a bit more while they drank their coffee and got back in.
This time they took seats next to each other.
In the Room a heated discussion was ongoing. The delegation of the guild was complaining that the offer of the GA was a farce and Rei was holding aggressively against it. He could swear he saw smoke rising up from her again.
The negotiations went on into the evening without any sign of a consent and the delegation finally went to dinner. The bodyguards were at least allowed in the same room. But there were several tables between SunTzu and Rei and she was sitting in midst of the other participants. Obviously she was having a good time. She changed her clothes from her diplomatic attire to a tight and short black dress. God, he loved those dresses on her.
SunTzu poked his fork around in his food. The food was great but he rather enjoyed Rei's company than sitting here alone, having to watch her through half the room.
He was looking on his plate as the chair opposite to him was pulled back.
"I do think they killed that nerf before they cooked it. No need to stab it again Lieutenant." It was Gistess Colystel. "Mind if I join you and stare at my food too?"
"Help yourself Captain."
They talked about the status of the negotiations and soon found a common ground on being unable to be a politician and the point that being a soldier was worth more.
When they were finished, she leaned back.
"Ah, this calls for a drink. Join me at the hotel bar? They have a pretty good Corellian Ale here."
"Sorry. The boss is still not in her room, he said as he observed Rei laughing over something the young aide of the secretary of commerce made.
"Oh c'mon. As if any service member ever wouldn't turn down a drink."
She had a point. He was thinking about his wingmen, they were women too and it was okay if they have a drink. The Captain was a comrade too, wasn't she?
"Alright. But just one."
"One? LT, you sure you're really with the armed forces?"
They settled at the counter of the hotel bar and she nestled out the local analog of a cigarette. Smoking was allowed here so SunTzu pulled out a cigarette too. He gave the Captain fire and then lighted his own cigarette.
The Captain had donned her jacket and under it quite the attractive curves on an athletic body appeared.
The two officers ordered a mug of ale and toasted to each other.
Soon the Mugs were almost empty and with a smoke in her mouth she opened SunTzu's tie.
"That's better. Don't be so stiff Lieutenant, we got some security guards and a detachment from the regular Royal Guard here."
Just in that moment Rei walked by. She just took one glance at them, lifted her head up and went straight for the elevator.
SunTzu got up, put a hand up in a defensive manner and shot away, straight to the elevators.
"Please excuse me."
Gistess downed the rest of her beer.
So that's how it is, isn't it?
She motioned the barkeeper that she wanted another full mug.
Too bad, she thought.
SunTzu took the elevator to Rei's floor and and knocked on her door. She opened after a moment and when she saw him she looked at him with an annoyed face for a small moment and then closed the door again.
He knocked again and told her he wanted to talk, but through the door she just replied that if he needed someone to talk to he could visit his new brunette friend.
SunTzu knocked again.
"Could you please stop knocking and leave me the fuck alone? I have to sleep, I have a long and important day ahead tomorrow." Her voice came muffled through the door.
He knew the schedule of tomorrow, there was also some sightseeing planned.
"Ah yes, of course. The romantic boat trip through the channels with the Aide of the secretary. Very important."
The door opened and a furious Rei stared into his eyes. This time he was sure she was emitting smoke.
"I'm just doing my job, that is for the benefit of the whole Galactic Fucking Alliance here. And don't try to get any brunette sluts into my bed."
He stepped inside the room and closed the door.
"Am i down there right now? Or am I up here? You think it's fucking fair if Diplomat Hino can flirt with any poor excuse of Senator or Politician or whatever title he has and then get hysterical because I have a drink with a comrade?"
"Oh Buddy. A drink with a comrade? I never see Rudy or Haruka open up your tie."
"That was not my doing. And just for the record, I never see you laughing like that at my table."
He turned around and was about to open the door again to leave.
"That's not true." She quietly said. "There's nobody i have so much fun with."
SunTzu kept his hand at the doorknob.
"But sometimes it feels like it." He responded, his voice also a hush.
"Can you please stay?" She asked him, her voice choked. A tear was rolling down her cheek.
He turned around and opened his arms, she ran into them and he slung his arms around her.
Rei kissed him and then they looked into each others' eyes for a long moment.
"Woman, you really need to work on that temperament of yours."
"I thought that's the main reason you're dating me."
She wasn't that wrong he thought as he he pulled her up and carried Rei to her bed.
After making love to each other they were standing without any clothes on the balcony of Rei's suite, smoking and wrapped one of the white blankets of her bed to not get cold.
"I'm sorry if I made you jealous, that wasn't my intention. I was just a bit lonely and bored."
"I understand. I'm happy you still didn't give up on coming along to my diplomatic missions and events. It means a lot to me. And I'm sorry I was jealous. Let's be honest it needs a goddess like me to tame a demon like you."
They finished their cigarettes and went back to bed. She was lying on her stomach next to him, legs crossed while he was lying on his back.
"Thank you for not burning me alive earlier."
She laughed and then looked him straight in the eyes.
"You were right. You are here, taking care of me. Here and not anywhere else in this galaxy. Because of me."
"Somebody has to do the job." He jested and she pretended to pout.
"You're pretty bold Mr. Bodyguard."
"Hah, that gives me an idea." He put his chrono near his mouth. "AICA, transmit that Bodyguard song.
The song began to play and Rei broke into a fit of laughter. Yes, nobody made her laugh as he could.
"I love you." She said and turned over to kiss him.
He began to sing along to the song and she started laughing again.
SunTzu had set an alarm before dawn and he sneaked out of the room, Rei still was sleeping and so he took the stairwell down to his room.
He couldn't sleep anymore so it was gathering new Intel, checking routes and maintaining guns. The possibility that something would happen was less than low but he had to make up to the namesake for the last time when it came to preparations.
After a couple of hours of sleep SunTzu took the elevator and went for breakfast, the rest of the delegation followed soon.
Gistess sat down next to him.
"Good Morning Lieutenant, you look a bit tired. Long night?" She smiled at him.
"Good Morning. Yeah, i've slept better before ."
She leaned in and smiled.
"You didn't come back yesterday. Long debriefing?"
He looked at her with a surprised face.
"Oh, no. Sorry, I was waiting for an urgent message from my superiors and after reading it I was too tired to come back."
"Yeah, sure." She smiled again and looked over to Rei. She catched Rei's Eyes and the Senshi threw her an ice cold stare.
"Nice catch tho."
SunTzu looked at Gistess and threw her a sly grin.
After Breakfast the negotiations resumed and both bodyguards took seats behind their wards.
The negotiations pretty soon stalled again and Rei looked tired when she left the conference room.
"Lieutenant, can you please escort me to my room?"
She asked him as he got up and closed his suit jacket.
"Affirmative Ma'am."
He left the room and as he looked at Gistess, the local was grinning.
The couple took the elevator up to her floor and entered the suite.
He got in second and closed the door behind him.
"TopGun, tell me why people are so stubborn and stupid. Apart from the doing the right thing, this people never seem to get enough money."
He embraced her and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry this is so hard. And that I cannot help you. But you're holding up great, so don't let it get to you."
She pulled him more tight.
"I'm glad I got you with me here. Helps me a lot to know that someone that loves me is here."
"Let's have lunch, you'll feel better afterwards."
"If it goes on like that I need more than lunch. Take me out when we get home. Even if it's just onboard the Far Side. Please."
The lovers left Rei's hotel room again and went to the restaurant and were about to enter it. And then Boom!
Something near the entrance of the Hotel exploded.
Oh Shit, now I know why i was so thorough with my tasks!
Immediately afterwards heavy blaster fire and screaming was to be heard.
SunTzu immediately took Rei and lifted her up, carrying her into the restaurant. Blasters were already buzzing around them.
The pilot activated the voicecom in his chrono.
"AICA, pin me on. We're under attack. I'll need you to bring Rei out!"
Another explosion, this time from the back of the restaurant. And more blaster fire following.
Fuck! Where to now?
SunTzu carried Rei into an employee only area.
The Royal diplomat was worried and shocked and tense but on the other side she felt safe in his arms. He kneeled down, arms around her and took a moment to assess the situation.
And he was nervously humming I will always love you.
She couldn't do any other than to begin laughing.
He hummed a song to calm himself down as she started laughing. Why did she do that In that unfitting time now?
Anyways. They were pretty much cornered.
"You stay for a sec. I'll be back immediately."
He set her down, draw his pistol and went back through the door. As soon as he opened a Weequay with a large blaster rifle took aim on him.
SunTzu was about to get roasted as two blaster pistols started going off hitting the Weequay Into his face and chest.
"Over here!" It was Captain Colystel, holding two blaster pistols in her hands and taking cover around a rectular flowerpot out of stone.
SunTzu ran over to here and blasterfire followed him as he jumped behind the pot.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Seems someone doesn't like your girlfriend."
"Or your secretary of commerce."
They glanced out and blaster bolts ricocheted from the flowerpot's stone.
"Cover me!" The Royal Guardist shouted and jumped sideways out the cover shooting while SunTzu popped up and let off shots from his pistols.
An armed Twilek fell down dead at the door of the restaurant.
The Brunette was a great shot. Three more thugs entered and one was shot down by SunTzu. The reaction from the other two forced him into cover though but brought the chance for Gistess to shot them from a new cover she found.
SunTzu took a breather and spotted two other armed villains coming from the other side of the restaurant. He could get one before the reacted and just as the other one raised his rifle a fireball hit him in his chest.
Rei was standing in the alley to the room SunTzu brought her in.
Both woman ran to his cover and ducked behind too.
"Interesting ability you go there Miss Hino." Gistess said as she scanned for more targets.
"Diplomat Hino actually never runs from a fight." SunTzu told and reloaded his Glock. "Makes it a bit hard to bodyguard her sometimes."
"Don't listen to him. Because his stupid ideas, I'm usually the one to save him." The Sailor Senshi told the other woman.
Outside a roaring starfighter was to be heard and soon afterwards laser fire could.
"That's your taxi, Rei! Gistess, I'll be back!"
"This time I really do hope so!"
He helped Rei get up and ran towards the door outside covering her with his body.
As they got out the door they saw AICA hovering over the plaza in front, over watching the scene. Some dead, mangled individuals and their weapons lay around.
"AICA, come down and let Rei get inside." SunTzu told his starfighter over his chrono before he turned to Rei.
"AICA will take care of you. I'll go back inside and help mop up the other attackers."
AICA carefully sat down in front of them, canopy opening.
Rei nodded and got ready to get inside. She know she had to get to safety. She was the diplomat and he the bodyguard after all. What he didn't know, was that she wasn't gonna sit around in AICA and watch everything from a distance.
SunTzu stormed back inside and got next to Gistess who was trading shots with a group of two Weequays.
He dropped down next to her as red blaster fire roared over his head.
"Hey, you actually did come back." Gistess said as she shot a salvo from her blaster into the Weequay's direction.
As she stopped shooting SunTzu waited a second and let of a salvo too.
It hit one of the Weequay in the shoulder but didn't put him out completely.
Both thugs were hiding in cover now too.
"Mind if I do something stupid?"
"So, Diplomat Hino was right!"
The earthling sighed as he controlled the amount of bullets in his magazine.
"Listen, I'm gonna flank them from the right. Cover me." He told the other bodyguard.
While he jumped out of cover and ran for the next available on his right Gistess covered him with suppression fire from both her blasters.
Both bodyguards dropped down at the same time as the enemy opened up on them. The air was filled with blaster bolts and the stench of burned up Tibanna-Gas.
The enemy did one major mistake. They both reloaded at the same time and as soon as their blaster ceased fire Gistess opened up again and SunTzu jumped over his cover and rushed forward.
While the local held the enemy down SunTzu crossed the distance and finally jumped forward. Max Payne would have been proud how he jumped forward Gun drawn and landed beside the two Weequays, greeting with a shower of bullets, obliterating both of them.
Outside heavy fighting sounds were to be heard.
Obviously the coast inside the room was clear and as he pressed the magazine release on his Pistol he took a heavy breather.
Gistess moved up, Guns up.
"Not bad earthling, not bad."
He grinned as he loaded up his last mag.
"Let's finish this." He stated as he finished reloading his Glock and the slide slid back.
"Way ahead of you", she said as she entered the lobby again.
The lobby was quiet, although there still was hotel staff cowering behind their desks at the reception. She took the left and he the right as they sweeped out and crossed the room, ready to shoot.
It didn't took long and they were at the main entrance, moving out, watching sectors.
Outside a certain black and grey A-Wing was hovering over the wreck of the burning wreck of a hover car armed with a laser cannon and dead bodies.
SunTzu stepped over a dead Nosaurian or what was left of him as AICA's canopy opened and Rei rose up, stroking her long black hair as she rose fully up.
He shook his head, grinning.
"I took the liberty to steal your show Topper."
Gistess holstered her Guns and after taking a look to Rei, turned to SunTzu.
"You know, if there would be more diplomats and politicians like her, I would be unemployed."
SunTzu couldn't took his eyes off his girlfriend.
"Like I said, she doesn't run from a fight."
The attackers were all dead when guards, police and military forces arrived.
No member of any delegation was harmed as Gistess lead them all in a storage room and locked them away. The enemy just ran past the room.
In the Aftermath of the incident it was decided to relocate to a Frigate of the Empress Tetian Local Space Defence Force, a old Nebulon-B, upgraded to H-Standard, meaning four front wings instead of one, and AICA would be the last to arriv.
Gistess, Rei and SunTzu had lunch consisting of local street food before they went on. A earned meal shared between seasoned warriors and the two women began to warm up to each other.
A few hours later, they left for the Frigate.
Rei jumped out of the cockpit full of self confidence and lend her boyfriend a hand out.
The negotiations that evening were short.
The Miners' Guild Member had been shown the necessity of a stronger GA Force with the current security situation and the attack on them and after just two hours a deal both sides could very good go with was made.
Both sides contacted their superiors afterwards, bringing everything into motion.
Twenty minutes later a beaming Rei Hino walked up to her boyfriend into the Frigate's hangar. He was standing next to Gistess as she walked up with swagger, stopped in front of and grabbed SunTzu's face, pressing her lips on his.
"Guess who just got praised by the Chief of State herself?" She asked SunTzu with a wide and joyful smile.
"You guys know that I'm still here?" Gistess said, and shook her head.
In their embrace both of them looked over to her.
"Thank you for your help Captain. I'm sorry if my bodyguard caused you any trouble."
"Probably not as much as I caused him. Diplomat Hino, You're a lucky girl." She paused for a moment, looked at the floor and and then back up again, grinning. "Lieutenant, it was my pleasure." She extended her hand and SunTzu took it.
"I hate to admit but you two seem to be made for each other. Don't let this galaxy come in between you." She sighed.
And now, if you'd excuse me, I think I'll have to bring a pretty afraid secretary back to his planet"
They nodded to each other as goodbye and Gistess walked away.
"If we got more like her kind, this war would be already over." Rei said, head on his shoulder, gaze following her.
As she left the hangar she turned around and tipped SunTzu's nose.
"Don't forget you owe me a date now, TopGun."
He leaned in, staring into her eyes for a moment. He wanted to say something but she kissed him before the words came out.
"I love you." She said.
"Took the words right out of my mouth." SunTzu replied with a wry smile.
SunTzu kissed her again and she hit him playfully while finishing the kiss.
"Not that again, please." She laughed.
Some hours later they dropped out of the Hyperspace at the CTE, somewhere near the Taskforce's flagship. There were three corvettes now accompanying the Gladiator Star Destroyer as the Nomad's Luck and Starstruck decided to become a part of the Taskforce. Rumors inside the forces indicate an offer of Usagi, offering everyone onboard a place and citizenship on Crystal Tokyo helped immense for this.
They were put on queue as the Royal Yacht just touched down moments ago, coming from Coruscant.
The lovers were flying starboard side of the Far Side. Rei was not having it anymore.
"Goddammit, I wanna go home. Did anyone happen to remember what I did today? Even bunhead should have fallen down that shuttle's ramp by now."
SunTzu acted like he didn't listen and looked into the monitors in front of him.
"Ah, you know what. It's Wednesday anyway! AICA hack us into the Far Side's speakers."
SunTzu turned his head around to her.
"Yes TopGun, I am annoyed, beyond it even. We're doing it again. I bet Usagi is still in that hangar. Let's give her a show. I'm tired of all this and clear it once and for all."
Someone really had a long day.
She took the datapad in AICA's cockpit side compartment and gave in a song's name.
"You said, you're not gonna do this." SunTzu stated.
"I know what I said. AICA skip the intro, Lieutenant introduce us please and sing for us."
All speakers on the Far Side sounded off and SunTzu's voice rang out.
"Ladies and gentleman, proud warriors of Task Force Sol, it's your dream team again. Pump up the volume, Diplomat Hino and Pilot SunTzu have something to tell you."
The sound set in and both of them started to sing along, Rei holding back and singing background till her part started.
"What kind of drugs did they have on Empress Teta?" Haruka asked to no one specific.
"Aw Haruka, you don't get it, do you?" Her girlfriend replied.
They were at the Voyager, checking systems. The hangar was full with people as the Royal Yacht just arrived.
Usagi had left the Yacht just two minutes before. It had been exhausting but successful days on Coruscant and she just heard the news about the successful mission Rei had from Venus.
Suddenly SunTzu came over the ships speakers. Strange, he was not on board of the ship.
The pilot and Rei began to sing a song.
Ship personnel began to cheer and sing along as AICA closed up to the hangar when she got priority landing permission.
"Usagi-Chan, I think those two are trying to say something to you." Mina said to her Queen.
The couple landed as the song ended.
The canopy opened and the two or rather Rei with her singing voice were greeted with booming applause.
The two took off their flight helmets and looked at each other.
After a nod they took each other's hand and stood up. People were cheering and they bowed, their entangled hands fully visible.
"That was nice. They should do that even more often. Maybe something with more meaning next time." Neo Queen Serenity II. said to her husband and her First Senshi who both looked at her with questioning faces.
Rei and SunTzu straightened both up after the bow, hands holding and exchanged a look to each other. The crowd knew and cheered for them.
They leaned to each other and shared a long kiss. The Hangar went completely crazy.
Even a certain short haired blonde pilot started to blow loud whistles of appreciation.
The kiss lasted an eternity for the couple. It was so great to not hide anymore and that people were actually crazy cheering for it.
Sailor Venus might have been moved a bit much as Usagi turned around to her.
"Whoa, why are they kissing? That's part of the show, right? They're great actors!"
Mamoru embraced his wife and whispered something in her ear and suddenly Usagi's eyes became wide in surprise.