He finished talking about preparations with Karlena and walked over to Haruka. Michiru was already gone, following the other two Senshi.
"So, what's the big deal? Some Five Star Guy on Coruscant had a paranoid dream or what?" He asked his wingman.
"To be honest, I don't know Mate. Nobody knows for sure what's really up. Command will brief us soon, but it's chaos. Marvin told me he heard that Vader and the Executor II are slugging it out with a Mandator near Ansion right now. Other rumors say, that the 7th is general mobilizating in the new frontiers." She told, looking tense, crossing her arms.
"I have a very bad feeling about this." He replied.
"You tell me Mate."
Haruka excused herself, she went off to the rest of the Senshi. SunTzu went to his room and changed into his Flight Suit.
SunTzu then decided the best thing now would be to get some Answers or at least to try to. He sent a message to Ada, asking what was really happening and then went up to the mission Center.
He walked in, the chaos was the same as in the hangar, naval and intelligence officers swarming all over the place, collecting data and Intel. Artemis was standing at the central table, next to his First Officer James Santos, a middle aged Filipino, that used to command a naval frigate in the Pacific. The table in the middle now showing a map of the whole galaxy. An Intelligence Officer was drawing red and blue markers on it. And there were red markers all over the northwest and north of the map, much more than he expected. Near Ansion a smaller blue marker, named DTH SQN was in the midst of three red markers. He hoped the three enemy fleets would surge against the Supreme Commander of the Galactic Alliance Force's Personal Fleet.
The pilot walked up closer to the map and Artemis got next to him.
"Lieutenant, you made it. Good." The Admiral said. SunTzu saluted and Artemis returned the greeting.
"Affirmative Sir, I brought Sailor Mars with me."
Artemis briefly looked to the ground.
"I wished her birthday evening would have ended better" The white haired Fleet Officer quietly said. SunTzu nodded slowly.
"Sir? What's really going on? Are we at war?" The pilot asked his superior.
"To be honest. If this isn't war someone makes it damn near look like it." He said with a stern voice. "You'll get the full heads-up soon but someone really hit us with our pants down. We had coordinated attacks on every major Space-lane outgoing from the Northern Wild Space as well as some out the Unknown Regions. Partly whole fleets although mostly outdated Equipment from the Clone Wars, supported from local rebels, Pirates and other scum."
"Fuck!" A curse escaped the pilot. Artemis threw on a wry smile.
"I see we share the same opinion on this."
SunTzu put on a wry smile too and began to check the data on the map again.
Artemis announced a Briefing for the Leading parts of the Taskforce over the board speakers, and people kept strolling in in the already buzzing conference room.
SunTzu sat with the Pilots of Terra Squadron that were exchanging rumors they heard since the departure with the soldiers of Team 1 and Leaders of the other two teams.
The pilot was just listening in Silence. Something inside him, told him something very bad was about to happen. But he couldn't think about what the force was trying to warn him about.
A few minutes later the door glided open and the Senshi strolled in, all nine flanking the Queen and the king.
Uranus and Neptune had their talismans in their hands too. The King and Queen walked over to Artemis and Santos and was briefed on the overall situation. Their faces took on a frown very fast. Not very reassuring.
Sailor Pluto and Sailor Saturn flanked the Queen at the table. Saturn took on her mother's well known icecold demeanor too. He nodded at her but she didn't even react. The rest of the Senshi showed faces hard as stone too.
Most of them stood near the table, Ami was working on the map in the middle, her Mercury glasses on. Jupiter had a Plate Carrier on and a Rifle hanging from her back.
Mars shot him a brief glance, obviously she tried to take on a smile but it didn't work. She was looking worried.
Shortly afterwards Endymion started the briefing, broadcasted through the whole ship as well as on the Companion.
"As all of you probably heard already, the Galactic Alliance has been attacked. An unknown enemy force started several coordinated attacks Galaxy inwards and into the north and northwestern GA territory outgoing from the northern Wild Space and Unknown regions. Right now we're also getting reports from the Outer Rim and other places that attacks have been started. The 1st Fleet under direct Command of Grand Admiral Pellaeon is rushing to Ansion to help Lord Vader repel an combined attack of three enemy fleets. The Executor II already destroyed an enemy Mandator Super Star Destroyer. 7th Fleet is engaging a giant enemy fleet with everything they have. Fourth fleet is mobilizing as we speak, in fact we're assigned as part of it at the moment. All other fleets are preparing to mobilize too." He paused for a moment, letting the shocked people silence down again.
"We don't know who attacked us, yet, but as of right now, we are at War! Madame State of Chief Organa sent her own husband as well as Jedi Groups to investigate further. Many mercenaries, slavers and other criminal organizations and groups are attacking the Alliance too. The attacks seem to be coordinated with the fleet attacks."
Another pause till people were silent again.
"Right now our orders are to fly to Shwuy and to standby. A very important Galactic Alliance radar and communications site has been seized by a Elite Mercenary Group called the Bull Rancor's. We're intended to retake it. Right now, Fleet Command is in process of clearing the mission." The young Leader went on.
"So King, you're telling us, that a Elite Commando Force is digging in there will we sit here and wait till some bureaucrats finally give us the go?" Rudy asked Endymion.
"I'm sorry but as Senior NCO of this Taskforce's Special Forces Troop I urge you to immediately attack, the sooner the better!" A lot of the pilots and ground troops agreed. Even Jupiter and Uranus were nodding approvingly.
"Gunnery Sergeant Ruiz, please believe me, that I dislike this waiting situation as much as you do, but you, probably more than anybody else, know how it goes. We have our orders." He motioned that he didn't understand it either.
"At least not everybody in Coruscant has to be woken up first. Fleet and Central Intelligence are already trying to get as much info as they can including diverting recon vessels and drones. And I'm more than convinced that Lord Vader will start an immediate counter attack and mop-up operation after he fuses his forces with Fleet One."
He told the attendants some more info and which actions would be taken immediately. As he finished and was about to call the briefing off, the Neo-Queen walked up to him, putting her Hand on his wrist stopping him.
"My soldiers, pilots, sailors and officers! I wish the events we trained so hard for would have never unfolded. I prayed a many nights for the peace to stay in this galaxy but my prayers haven't been answered. Now it's up to us to do our part to finish this war as soon as possible! And with many lives safed as possible." Serenity paused. "My troops, my friends, my guardians I trust you to give your best out there on the battlefield. Let the galaxy know, that the Crystal Moon Kingdom and it's warriors took up the purpose to shine the light of hope in the this dark times. In need all of you to fight beside me, for a better and safer Galaxy." She looked to Chibi-Moon. "A safe place for the following Generations. May the moon light shine a light on all your paths! Dismissed!" The people started cheering and SunTzu was astonished. The often clumsy seeming Usagi gave one hell of a speech that swore the whole Taskforce in to fight as hard as they could.
Marvin told the pilots to form two fighter teams that would stay on standby in their fighters, ready to immediately take off. The first shift was done by SunTzu, Haruka and Michiru.
Ten minutes later the three were on their seats in their fighters, the girls detransformed and in flight clothes again.
"And again I'm sitting in here waiting." Haruka came over the intercom.
"Yeah, imagine if we would have to fortify the Radar site we just annexed instead. Because nobody tries to take it back from us immediately." He replied.
"I don't want to be into the Commando's Skin when they have to take that things away from the enemy again."
SunTzu agreed. And this bad feeling in him didn't get any better. It got worse even more.
A hour later he was stretching his body outside of AICA, that sitting around tiring him down.
"Getting old Topper Harley?" Rei came over.
"Please tell me, that this was a prank and we can go home now. I'll even chauffeur you around again."
"I wish it would be. I just wanted to come over and see if you and the other two were good."
"We are right now I guess. We're playing our favorite game, it's called waiting. Wanna join?"
"Sorry, as amazing as it sounds, I have to fulfill my duty as diplomatic agent for the Kingdom. You don't wanna let Usagi do all this on her own. At least if you don't want more intergalactic incidents coming up." She smiled.
"You're doing diplomacy stuff in this outfit?" He said with a mocking grin, pointing at her Senshi Outfit.
"You'd wonder how far a short skirt can bring you in this galaxy." She winked. "But actually, I'm gonna get a bit more professional looking now. Talking about work clothes, you should think to change the flight suit to the chauffeur outfit again. That hat suited you. If you would excuse me now, i have to do my part to save the galaxy."
That said she left with a smug smile.
And yes, with such a skirt she could get everything she wanted from him too.
Two hours later they were relieved by Ritz and Xenia and left for a small snack and some sleep. The Taskforce didn't drop out of Hyperspace yet.
The girls said goodnight while he still stayed a bit in the dining hall, checking his phone and having a tea to calm down a bit. Ada didn't reply yet, he could bet she was busy. He decided to shoot a message to Colt, asking how bad things In the Frontier really were.
He didn't feel any better after the tea.
Another four hours later he woke up and took a shower. He still had that bad premonition and couldn't get it away. He jumped into a flight suit and headed for the hangar. On the way he stumbled into a tired looking Marvin, on his way for some sleep. No news from his side, except that the attacks were going on and that more and more places were under attack. He was also a bit annoyed he had to drop his radio show because of all this chaos.
SunTzu went further to the hangar and greeted the ground crew and pilots on the guard shift.
He got into AICA and closed the canopy.
"Good Morning. How are we this morning?"
"I'm good, how is my Pilot?" The AI answered.
"Been better. I guess the Force is letting me premonition something. I feel horrible inside."
"Sorry to hear that."
"It's okay. Hey, you got any news from listening in anything going on?"
"Other than the GA is fighting any- and everywhere the same time not much. Lots of the attacks aren't severe tho. Looks more like probing the defenses and condition of the Fleet. Except for the Fleets that try to take Ansion. But Death Squadron is giving them hell. The Chimera and other ships of 1. Fleet arrived a hour ago there and it looks we will win that battle." She told.
"What about us and our current Situation?" He asked.
"Well, we're at Shwuy and the Radar site is in a neighboring system. A recon drone is entering this system soon. King, Queen, Artemis and Rei tried to get a go for a mission the whole night. They sounded pretty pissed at the end. Nothing new from Coruscant other than the order to standby tho. I might be just a computer but even I'm tired of waiting now." Yeah, like her pilot, meanwhile the enemy mercenaries are digging in and have to time to extract data from that side.
They were ready to strike. Fucking bureaucracy.
He went up to the Mission Center again, Usagi was already gone but a tired looking Endymion and an equally tired looking Artemis were still there.
And Rei, now dressed in a strict business outfit but still wearing her red earrings, she was communicating over a Holo projector with a important looking Rodian. It didn't took long and the call was over, leaving her almost as angry as tired.
He walked over to her and when she turned around her mouth twitched and she bumped her head forehead first into his chest, staying like that.
"TopGun, please bring the car and drive me home. I wanna go to bed." She closed her eyes while her head lay there and sighed.
"Why is this galaxy so fucking stupid. And I thought my dad was a stiff asshole."
His heart started jumping again.
"Do i disturb you two?" Endymion's voice sounded from behind them.
"No, no. He just wanted to chauffeur me home, so I can finally get some sleep."
At that point SunTzu didn't know if she was joking or actually hallucinating.
"Rei, I think you and Artemis go down to your rooms and get some sleep now. You two did more than enough tonight."
"King…" Artemis tried to object.
"No, you both go and get some sleep now. I need you fit and ready. I'll take it from here." The King ordered both of his friends off.
Rei grabbed SunTzu's clothes at the height of his chest and pressed her head a bit stronger against him for a moment.
Then she walked away and she and Artemis left the Command Center.
"King, what about you?" SunTzu asked the dark haired royal.
"Someone has to be in charge. Even when I'm tired I owe this to my troops. Also, watch this." He waved at a man in a service uniform.
"Steward, Coffee. And please bring the Lieutenant one also." He paused and looked at SunTzu, who assessed the newest changes on the map from across the room.
"And if I don't work properly till Artemis gets back here, I have you around for stupid ideas."
Three hours and three coffees for Mamoru later, Ami came back after a few hours of sleep. Perfect timing, the unmanned drone just entered their target system. A big monitor was swung out and showed the life feed. A 3D Map Holo of the world the Radar Site was, was shown in the table in the middle.
The fast flying drone showed an old Quasar Class Carrier hanging in orbit over the planet. The small unmanned spacecraft flew a long turn away from it and then entered the planet's atmosphere, racing towards the Communication and Radar site.
A few minutes later the planet surface came In view. The planet was small and mainly made out of a water surfacewith some small islands and archipelagos scattered in the large ocean.
One of the islands, made out of beach and green vegetation that reached into a mountain in the middle of the island, had a big Radar dish mounted at the beginning of the green, shortly behind the beach.
The camera, the quality of the pictures was fantastic, showed fresh excavated trenches and some other fortifications.
Suddenly a swarm of fast flying things came over the mountain and at least one fired a missile. The transmission ended a few ticks later. The throne had been destroyed.
Ami and a bunch of Intelligence Personal immediately started to analyze the Video.
"Those things were A-Wings. I guess a whole squadron." SunTzu stated, his eye trained for fast acquisition because flying."
Great, they had 4 Headhunters, a Tie-Aggressor and two A-Wings.
"It was. I remember that I heard about the Bull Rancors before." Marvin appeared at the console Mamoru and SunTzu were standing. "Their leader, a guy named Brohou is an Ace and Vong War Veteran. Founded the Rancors after the War. It's essentially an A-Wing Squadron of old Veterans and a platoon of former SpecForce Soldiers. They're fighting for money. I guess the Quasar is there mobile base. Someone else saw the Back of that Assault Shuttle near the Radar Dish?"
Great, this thing kept getting better and better. No wonder he felt he had a bad premonition.
Half an hour later Intelligence was done with the analysis of the video material.
Another briefing was called up a hour later, this time less personnel was attending as a good part, including Sailor Mars, the Queen, who spent the night with an Adress to the people of Crystal Tokyo as well as the world and a following Q&A with earth's twenty most important leaders and Artemis were missing.
Apart from the twelve A-Wings and an Assault Shuttle at the base, there were also two mobile AA Emplacements.
Their Carrier was no match for the Far Side but the opposition planetside, especially from the A-Wings, was grave. It was decided that the own Starfighters formed a formation around the Companion, who would transport Team 3 and a Platoon of heavy armed regular Troops into Battle, Corvette and Starfighters would then work together against the A-Wings. When the AA and the enemy fighters wouldn't post a threat anymore more Ground Units would be flown in for the raid on the complex.
The attack was to start as soon as Coruscant gave the Go.
The pilots gathered in the hangar around the machines and thinking about the fortifications SunTzu requested the ground crew to load Proton Bombs into AICA's small bomb bay as additional weapon. This slowed him down marginally but a proton bomb would make quick work of embedded enemies, if they weren't sitting in duraconcrete hardened shelters.
Team 3 and the Heavy weapons platoon of the ground troops had been already shuttled over to the companion and the rest of the ground troops assigned to the raid was strolling into the Hangar too.
SunTzu was observing the loading of the bombs into AICA's bomb rack when he saw Sailor Saturn entering the hangar, glaive in hand and her SMG slung under, wearing a chest rig with extra ammo. He walked over to her, his expression quite angry.
"And where the hell do you thinking you're going?"
"Huh? I'm joining Jupiter and Team 1. They'll need every help they can get." She answered with a shrug, as If it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Hotaru. These are not some stupid thugs or amateur warrior anymore, we're fighting against even odds here." He sharply described her the facts, hoping that she would change her mind what coming along concerned.
"I know, I got the briefing with Team 1. So what?"
Teenagers. And why the hell did he even care so much? This girl was a coldblooded killer machine, so why he wanted to see her safe.
"Does Setsuna know about this?" He asked her. Mommy probably wouldn't like the idea of lil Miss Reaper running around in a war zone neither.
"I don't know. I was gone before she woke up. She was guarding the Queen the whole night till Venus relieved her."
Great. In his time teenagers stole theirselves away to get drunk, and nowadays because they want to fight in a special forces raid. Thanks Call of Duty.
"Listen SunTzu, I'm a Outer Sailor Senshi and the Soldier of Silence. I'll go and fight because that is what is expected from me." Her tone became angry. "And this is what I know and where I excel. You either let me go anyway or I'll just smuggle myself into one of the Gunships and fight hiding on my own. Something you forbid me to do." This weren't the words of a regular teenager. It sounded like the girl really didn't know anything other than Battle.
He sighed, she was right. She would just steal herself away in secret and fight anyway.
"Okay." He nodded, pressing his lips together. "But you promise me to take care. If you need any kind of backup, me and AICA will be there, okay?"
"I was expecting as much." She winked and walked over to Sailor to talk with Piedro and Nava.
He looked over to the rest of Team 1 and saw Jupiter handle a large, heavy repeating blaster.
"Yo Jupiter, is that a TL-50?" He shouted, surprised to see such a rare weapon in her hand.
"Only one in the whole Taskforce. I heard we need the big guns today." She answered proudly holding up the big weapon.
At least they packed some serious heat.
SunTzu slowly walked over to AICA again, as Michiru tipped him on the shoulder.
He turned around and after looking around if someone might hear them she told him something very important.
"Hey, you have that bad premonition since yesterday right?" She paused and he nodded. "I asked the mirror about the future right now." She checked again if nobody was in earshot, she seemed extremely moved. "And it showed me that beach and the fortifications. And they were all engulfed in flames. Like hell itself. And you were in the midst of it."
That didn't sound any good.
"Does it usually show the exact future or more of metaphors?"
"One as well as the other." She frowned.
"Okay, Michiru listen. No matter what Haruka wants to do, you make sure you stay near the Companion. No actions on your owns, promise me." SunTzu ordered her and put his hand on her shoulder.
She nodded with fast motions, looking to the ground.
"And what about you SunTzu?"
"I'll make sure you two come home safe, okay. I promise."
"But what about you?" She asked again.
He put on a crooked smile.
"Don't worry, bad weeds grow tall."
"Please do me and Haruka, although she would never admit It openly, a favor. Take care too."
"Promise. I'll go get ready now. See you in the Sky."
She squeezed his arm and tried her best for a reassuring smile before returning to the Voyager.
He did a outside checkup of AICA and was about to climb into his cockpit when someone approached from behind.
"Michiru said you still have that bad premonition. I just wanted to let you know we got your six, so no need to worry."
It was a Haruka looking less tense than everybody else in the Hangar.
"I got your six too, but and I know this sounds strange when i say it, no ego runs, no stupid ideas, no stunts today. Let's stick together around the Companion, okay?"
"If you really want. Not that we are better than these bastards."
"I really worry. Promise me to take care out there."
"I will. And if only for Michiru. You too, okay?"
He opened his arms and took on another crooked smile.
"Safety is my second name."
They shared a smile and did their special fistbump greeting.
SunTzu got into AICA's cockpit and put on his helmet. He ran a preflight check and leaned back to meditate afterwards. The anticipation made him breathe heavy. And that feeling in his stomach. It was about to rip him apart.
Minute after minute went by where everybody was basically just waiting. The troops were hyped, anticipating the fight with an even enemy. Someone attacked their galaxy without warning, attacked their comrades without warning and now wanted to put a foot into the door leading home. The speech of the Neo Queen did the rest. The last fights were won so easy, an aura of invincibility hang in the air. At least for most of them. Michiru and SunTzu felt different about that.
Suddenly, after what seemed like an eternity, an alarm sounded before XO Santos gave the order that everybody was about to man battle stations.
The people in the Hangar started cheering. Earth finally joined the Galactic Alliance's War.
The fighter shot out the hangar with Marvin being the first and the Voyager being the last this time.
They formed around the Companion and the Taskforce jumped into Hyperspace.
A few minutes later they fell out of hyperspace.
Sensors didn't show any signs of other ships other than the Quasar.
The old, battered Carrier tried to get away but the Task Force was way faster than it and a few minutes later the ship exploded to stardust after the Far Side pumped a full volley of Proton Torpedoes into it.
While the Far Side went to a stationary orbit it's accompanying CR90-Corvette and it's fighters descended onto the planet.
Marvin told them again to stay put around the Corvette.
After a few minutes they broke through the clouds and saw the island with the Radar dish on the horizon already.
So far no opposition.
They turned down the velocity and descended as much as they could so the AA-Guns didn't get much of a target. Some of the fighters were not even five meters above the sea.
"Sensors are picking up fast movement!" Odegana came on.
And there they were a wave of six brown colored A-Wings with painted on fangs shot towards them, trying to get a lock on them.
AICA and the Voyager had the better range tho, both released two multi-warhead-Missiles. Although each enemy starfighter was locked on at least two times only four got shot down and while the other two jinked away, ejecting countermeasures. These guys were better than the one from last time that was for sure.
The small fleet veered right to not steer into the range of the AA Guns.
As they flew parallel to the island the enemy A-Wings appeared again. This time it was the complete rest of the squadron, jumping out of the lush tropical vegetation of the island and in a blink of an eye a salvo of eight concussions Missiles were rushing towards the Companion and it's fighter escort.
"Evasive Maneuvers!" Marvin yelled over com as he broke away in the sky.
The fighters ejected a cloud of countermeasures and broke their formation.
SunTzu stayed behind the Voyager, making sure to guard his wingmen.
Within seconds the enemy A-Wings were there. Marvin managed to shoot one down while it was speeding to get behind Xenia. The Anti-fighter-lasers of the Companion also got two enemy fighters that came to near.
The five A-Wings were still a threat.
A voice came in over an open voice channel.
"This sad excuse of force is what the Galactic Alliance sends to liberate it's most important surveillance site for six sectors? How pitiful."
It was the enemy commander, the Veteran named Brohou.
Terra Squadron and the other two starfighters formed around the Companion again, whose gunners carefully aimed at the enemy fighters, driving them off while trying not to hit their own snubs.
The Remaining five Rancors rushed back to the island, trying to hide in the jungle again.
"Hey Brohou, between veterans, why we don't see who's the better pilot?" Marvin challenged the enemy commander.
"Come and get me GA Scum," was the answer he got.
The companion veered to its left, rounding the island in a distance now.
No sign of the A-Wings.
Marvin came in on the squadron's com channel.
"I'll try to lure them out. 2,3 take flanks but stay back."
He shot away and Odegana and Taego followed with distance.
"Marvin get back. I don't trust this." SunTzu told over the com.
"Don't worry, i won't get any nearer." He was already veering off when the brown A-Wings shot out of the vegetation at the beach. They used their Repulsors to hover and hid between the big trees.
Fuck!
A missile from Marvin destroyed another A-Wing but the remaining A-Wings plunged into the three fighters, Odegana immediately turned into an Immelmann while two fighters rushed at her and another headed for Taego.
Marvin and Brohou's A-Wing clashed together in a deadly dance near the shore of the island.
"Haruka, you stay put!" SunTzu yelled over the com as she was about to veer out to help. He swang AICA around and sped up to get into the fight.
While Odegana tried to rush back to the Companion, the Corvette opened suppressive fire onto the two A-Wings rushing after her, buying her precious seconds and finally forcing the enemy fighters away. Haruka fired a missile after one of them and scored another kill on the enemy, the surprised pilot didn't have time to react to the missile while trying to not get hit by the Corvette.
Taego and Marvin were still in their deadly dance with the two enemy snubs.
And then it happened.
SunTzu felt it. SunTzu saw it. It was like in slow motion. While doing barrel rolls around each other the Bull Rancor's Commander pulled his complete energy into his shield and slammed into Marvin's A-Wing. Marvin's shields collapsed and he was thrown off course.
SunTzu's stomach lurched. He started screaming.
The brown A-Wing turned its nose skywards to take out it's speed and then the rancor bit, butting forward again opening fire and hitting Marvin's fighter. The first shot hit Marvin's reactor, immediately making the ship explode.
At the same time the third enemy A-Wing shot a concussion Missile at Taego, that found its mark on the rear side of the headhunter, ripping it apart in an another explosion. At least Marvin was dead in an instant.
RAGE. He felt Rage explode inside him, burning through his veins. And he felt the force. And he felt power.
Why his friend and mentor had to die on this fucking planet. A planet so unimportant that it didn't even had a name, just a designation.
SunTzu grabbed his joystick more firm. He could feel AICA, the whole ship, every circuit, every chip, every bolt. As he was a part of it.
Something strange happened then.
AICA's Shields became visible and turned into a light yellow, also her engines exhausted longer flames as ever before and SunTzu shot forward, becoming one with AICA, projecting his power, his force powers into her.
He wanted revenge. He wanted to kill them all. The pilots. And then the ground troops. Nobody of his comrades would be hurt today anymore.
He spiraled into a barrel roll and within a blink of an eye locked on the two Rancor Fighters between him and Brohou. They didn't stand a chance, being blown out of the Sky before they even knew they were locked on. SunTzu accelerated towards Brohou and tilted AICA to the side, racing through the air like an axe blade.
Brohou started to mock him on the radio, while he put more power into his A-Wings-Shields.
"Did I kill your friend? Don't worry, you will follow him soo.."
SunTzu didn't care for the monologue. He just accelerated more and cut straight and without any sign of resistance through the brown Starfighter, literally cutting Brohou's sentence short, the yellow shields visible in the following explosion.
Haruka, Michiru and the others couldn't believe their eyes.
But it wasn't over. While his comrades tried to close up on him SunTzu shot up in the sky for an inverted looping. He overflew the mountain and rushed back to earth, heading for the fortifications and AA-Emplacements.
Shooting Missiles and his lasers at the same time he transformed the beach and nearby tree line into a fiery hell. The AA-Emplacements were hit by rockets before they even had the chance to react.
Troops in the trenches were vaporized by laser fire or ripped apart from rockets.
He swung the fighter in a tight arc and dropped the four bombs on the main defence line.
When he left after his first run, Michiru's vision was true and the area was burning and smoking like hell itself.
SunTzu sweeped over the area as if he had become war itself.
Haruka, although having a lump in her throat because Marvin's dead, opened a secured com channel.
"Mamoru, are you watching this?"
It took a moment as the King had to swallow hard first.
"I do, Ami, Minako and Usa are here with me too."
"I don't know about you, but if he's not the person from the prophecy I personally don't want to see how much more a man can become personified war."
"Try to stay away. We don't know about his mental state right now. I know it's SunTzu but take care. We're sending in the Gunships."
Inside the control center the three woman and the King stared at the monitor showing the cameras of the Companion broadcasting the carnage. None of them talked, Venus had her hand over her mouth in shock and Ami had to look away when SunTzu bombed the area.
In the back of the Voyager Michiru quietly watched the gruesome spectacle as SunTzu went for another strafing run and tears began to roll down her face.
The other starfighters made a big detour about the island and the Companion got into a waiting position.
After a third strafing run, AICA, now without visible shields and normal thrust again, hovered down on the entrance of the Radar site and aimed into its door. A salvo burned the heavy metal door into slag.
The defenders inside opened fire on the A-Wing. The fighter answered with a salvo of its lasers and the fire from inside stopped almost immediately.
The message that the Gunships were on the way came over tactical channel and if nothing happened SunTzu lifted up again and went to rendezvous with them as they crossed through the clouds.
Team 1 went straight for the Site while team 2's Larty flew to the part of the island the dogfight was, looking for survivors.
SunTzu flanked the Team 1 until they made landfall and hovered almost on the ground, ready to give them fire protection.
The team got out with raised weapons and awaited enemy fire but was greeted with silence. Only the fires and secondary explosions of cooked off ammunition was to be heard. There was no more opposition, just death greeting them.
Hotaru got out as last, but instead rushing over the beach like the others did she walked over to AICA and stopped a few metres before the fighters front.
Her gaze fell on SunTzu. It was a haunting image. The fire and the smoke, the wind the flames produced tearing on her Senshi outfit while she stood there, stoically upholding the Silent Glaive, looking straight into SunTzu's soul while he stared back into hers. And he understood her finally.
He nodded and she turned around, taking guard over the devastated battlefield.
He let his fighter climb up again and flew turn after turn over the exact spot Marvin died.
Artemis left the Bridge, he gave control of the ship on the First Officer, and headed towards Mission Center, as he heard there were casualties from the TF's Side.
As he entered the room he rushed over to the Queen and Sailor Venus who were standing at a console, watching the operation through the Companion's cameras. King Endymion left shortly after SunTzu attacked the installation. That has been the final straw for him and he went to his quarters.
"I heard we have casualties? How severe is it?" He asked the two blonde woman.
Usagi and Minako shared a sad glance with each other, Artemis and Marvin were good friends. Minako nodded and then hooked in under the young Admiral's arm, leading him out of the room.
"Artemis, let's go outside, okay. I have to tell you something." Sailor Venus said with a sad, tense voice.
Queen Serenity followed their departure with a sad face till the door closed behind them. She felt horrible. And she felt immense guilt. People she was responsible for had died.
While Saturn watched over the devastation SunTzu had left on the beach, Team 1 stormed the radar site while the Companion flew in to land on site and dismount the ground troops the corvette carried.
As they stack up at the door leading inside the building a voice was to be heard.
"Don't shoot, we surrender!" Through the smoke two of the mercenaries with raised hands walked out and were immediately detained.
Overheads SunTzu still flew turn after turn over the same place.
