Pirates of Glee Anselm

Pt. 1: Captain Urawa & The Sapphire Pirates

Rei opened her eyes. The sun was already shining in the room, they had forgotten to close the curtains.

"Holy Gods, we were way too high yesterday night!"

SunTzu also opened his eyes and kissed her forehead as she was laying on top of him.

"You straight spoke German with me for five minutes in front of that Lawson on Okinawa before I realized that I couldn't understand you." She continued and laughed briefly. "But I'm pretty sure you said something about how you much you love me and that you never want another woman again."

She could be right about that.

"Hell yeah, i was way too fucked up yesterday! When we got paranoia and had the glorious idea to let AICA land at the shrine so you can hide the rest of the weed in your room because diplomatic immunity I started to hallucinate. I really thought that Phobos and Deimos flew around me and transformed into two girls that asked me if I'm okay."

Rei stiffened and her eyes went wide, although he couldn't see that.

"Wow… yeah, we were crazy high." She said.

"Hey we achieved Sex at the beach and Sex while high at the same time." The couple high fived and giggled.

She sat up and looked at her phone.

Various messages including five from Minako the last one stating:

"If you're still alive and not in jail call me you crazy Bitch."

She excused herself and went to the bathroom.

There she called her best friend up.

"Rei, what the fuck. Where are you? And what did you do yesterday? You called me up at one in the morning and asked me if I think sand is called sand because it's between the sea and the land. And when I asked you what you were doing you said, you were in front of a Lawson on Okinawa, higher than after that week in the mountains with Yuichiro back when you guys were dating and SunTzu was inside the store trying to get Ben & Jerry's for you."

"Yeah, well, I stole the private stash of a Thai Drug Lord. Things got a bit wild yesterday.

Listen, I saw that her Royal Bunhead tried to call me too, you know anything about this?"

"Yeah, you better come over soonish. Sober, you're diplomatic skills are needed. And please, this goes for the two of you, don't drive a vehicle yet!"

The Lovers got up and ready and after breakfast in a bakery, there was still a bit of the munchies left in them and breakfast is just the most important meal of the day, they took the subway to Crystal Tokyo and then a taxi to the palace.

Minako was waiting for them at the entrance.

"Well if that ain't Crystal Tokyo's answer to Cheech and Chong. How you guys doing? She laughed and shook her head.

The couple shrugged, they were okay again.

"You guys didn't do any real crazy stuff yesterday, like getting married or something right?"

"No Mum, we just we're vibing and enjoying ourselves. You know how easy it actually is to find a isolate beach when you have a starfighter?"

"You came round quite a bit, huh? Why don't you tell me while we walk over to the Tower." Minako linked arms with Rei and they walked on while chatting, SunTzu following behind.

Rei told her best friend about the part with the shrine when SunTzu chimed in from behind.

"I actually thought that the Rei's crows became human. This stuff is crazy strong."

A few steps in front of him Minako leaned in to Rei and asked her quietly:

"You didn't tell him yet? Why?"

"He completely freaked out the first time he saw it with Artemis and Luna. I think he needs more time and a slow approach to this." Rei answered with a hushed voice as well while SunTzu in the back told about how handy it is to have a starfighter that can fly on his own.

They reached the Crystal Tower and walked over into the throne room.

A bored looking Usagi was sitting there alone, sprawled sideways over her throne and playing something on her phone. Very majestic.

She didn't hear them coming because she had headphones in.

Venus had to walk up to her and nudge her shoulder so that she actually noticed them.

Usagi jumped upwards in shock.

"Minako, what in the dark moon?! Don't scare me like that!"

Rei facepalmed, SunTzu sighed and Minako closed her eyes in disbelief.

The Neo Queen informed Rei and SunTzu that someone was needed on Coruscant for the talks about the seat in the Galactic Senate. Of course a job for Rei. And which generous, caring Queen would prevent that her trusted companion and bodyguard, who also was her boyfriend wouldn't be allowed to go too.

Serenity II., odango wearing Queen of the Crystal Kingdom, also told them that the Companion and the Voyager would move out too, patrolling Hyperlanes. Haruka would be more than happy. Not.

The couple left the next morning and the Voyager escorted them to their jump point near the moon.

"God, how I hate these Patrol jobs. And the worst thing we don't even have the amenities of the Far Side, we dock at a damn Corellian Corvette if we're not flying on our own. You guys are so lucky."

"Yeah, well, if you can call day long debates about the significance of a seat in a building with thousands of stubborn, corrupt lifeforms that can't get shit working lucky." Rei replied.

"Still, you're good on your own on Coruscant. They should have sent your boyfriend instead of us. It's not that he has to do the flying on it's own anyway" Haruka continued.

"Yo, what is this suppose to mean?" SunTzu chimed in.

"Well Mate, let's be honest, we saw on Bestine how good AICA can really fly on her own. I'm not saying you're a bad pilot but let's be honest, most of your flying can be done by AICA on her own."

"Oh yeah. I see. Listen everyone! My flying is like Haruka's sex. Most of it is done by a machine."

Moment of silence. And then loud laughter.

"Ouch." Rei stated in between laughing.

Michiru tried to defend her girlfriend but couldn't get herself to stop laughing. Only Haruka couldn't really laugh about it.

A few minutes later they reached their jump point and Rei and SunTzu said their goodbye to Michiru.

Haruka wasn't in a mood to talk but the Diplomat and the male Pilot still bid her farewell.

"Don't act like you couldn't take it. Take care out there Sis." SunTzu told her.

"Fuck you and i see you next week Mate. If Rei doesn't burn you to ashes before because you're so damn annoying."

"I try to not. Bye Haruka." Rei replied

"Bye Rei, good luck on Coruscant."

No hard feelings.

AICA jumped to hyperspace and they were on their way to Coruscant.

Nine days later AICA arrived back in the Sol System.

It had been demanding and exhausting days for Diplomat Hino, with hours after hours of discussions, meetings and making contacts, trying to gain favor for a Seat in the Senate for Sol.

She wasn't sure if she wouldn't have given up if it wasn't for SunTzu being there too, comforting and motivating her.

And although he was sitting alone in the back of the meeting rooms most of the time while she was debating and talking and planning and gaining favor he never complained.

The bit of free time they had they enjoyed to the fullest though, sometimes going out, as for example they met with Ada and Leon for example the second night, sometimes just staying in and enjoying each other's company.

Nonetheless they were happy to go home.

As they were approaching earth they got a holo message and played it.

It was Team 1's Leader Rudy Ruiz, a bottle of something in his hand and wearing a bandana around his head.

"Hey Guys, Captain Mercury sends her regards. She asks you to come to Glee Anselm, that's in the Mid Rim, and you really wanna come here as soon as you can. The cap said it's all been approved. Oh and bring Rum and Pirate appropriate clothing! Arrrr!"

"What the hell. Was Rudy drunk?" SunTzu asked.

"I guess. AICA, what and where is Glee Anselm?" Rei replied.

On the holo a galaxy map occurred and slowly zoomed into an aquatic planet with some islands.

"Glee Anselm is a tropical aquatic planet with some islands and archipelagos scattered throughout it's oceans." AICA explained.

"Was there an attack on the planet lately?" SunTzu asked.

"Negative, The planet has not been attacked from outerspace. Official reports show that it's a rather peaceful planet."

"Hm, he didn't look like he was in a warzone or similar either. Maybe it's just a time off Ami needed and she brought some company. Isn't Ryu off planet also?" SunTzu nodded, there was something.

Rei thought about it for a moment. "The planet is a bit like Bestine IV, except being no war zone."

"Hm, beaches, sea and pirate themed parties? Sounds like fun. Especially after these last weeks. We really could use a getaway too."

"Okay, let's do it! Let's have holidays on Glee Anselm!" Everyone cheered, even AICA.

"I'll get the rum! Just let me land in Crystal Tokyo."

They landed in Crystal Tokyo and without checking in with anybody else at the base they left and went to pack for the next trip.

While SunTzu was out shopping for Rum before he would pack his luggage, Rei was at the shrine. Phobos, Deimos and her Grandfather told her that everything was going well and enforced her to go on a small holiday.

She didn't tell her grandfather that the holiday would be with her boyfriend. Actually she hadn't told her grandfather about SunTzu at all yet. But it was on her agenda, she swore. But after all she was an adult and independent woman, living her own life. And her grandfather was a bit conservative and peculiar, so it was better to wait for the right moment to tell him she was dating a foreigner.

Just a few hours after arriving on earth later they were back in hyperspace, on their way to Glee Anselm.

A message came in.

It was from Sailor Venus and voice only.

"Where the hell are you guys? I heard you came back but nobody knows where you are. Let me know, we have to talk."

Rei answered with a message, stating that they were on their way for a mission for Ami and they would get back to her when they arrive.

When they arrived at Coruscant and plotted the course to Glee Anselm the couple decided to sleep until AICA would wake them up shortly before reaching their destination.

AICA woke them up a few minutes before they'd fall back in real space.

"Guys, you recieved tons of messages while we were on the way. You want me to play them?"

SunTzu sat up and wiped the sleep out of his eyes. He yawned.

Rei behind him stretched.

"Who sent us messages?" She asked the ship.

"Minako sent a few, Artemis, a man named Smith, Ada Wong."

This didn't sound good. SunTzu looked behind and he and Rei shared a worried look.

"Open the first from Minako." Rei ordered the AI.

Minako's voice came on again.

"Rei, SunTzu. Ami is missing, nobody knew where she went. She took Team 1 and a shuttle last week and they've been gone without a trace ever since. If you know anything let us know. Urgent!"

Now they knew why everybody tried to reach them now and in that moment they fell out of hyperspace in front of Glee Anselm.

SunTzu got immediately to work.

"AICA, Shields and weapon systems up and calculate an immediate retreat route into hyperspace."

But there weren't any enemy ships. Just a bit of regular traffic.

"At least it wasn't a trap. What do we do now?"

"So far. I don't know, why should Rudy or Ami lie to us? And why Ami just left." Rei had an idea. "AICA, can you retrace the message Rudi sent?"

"Let me see."

It took a few moments.

"I got something. The message was sent from a group of islands near the equator."

"Give me the coordinates. We switch to stealth." AICA shut down her sensors and the A-Wing rushed towards the planet.

SunTzu descended until he was too low for regular radars to be traced with and ordered AICA to turn her sensors on again.

"Try to find that Shuttle Ami used."

He kept flying towards the islands, sun still had to rise on the planet.

The silhouettes of the islands were visible already when AICA reported that she probably found the shuttle but it seemed to be either covered or not complete anymore.

"Waypoint on the HUD. Weapons and shields up again."

SunTzu really hoped that the shuttle hadn't been destroyed. Behind him Rei dogged her nails in his seat in front of her, tensely looking out the cockpit.

They passed a fisher village on the coast of a small island and a few hundred meters behind the village, on a hill, a farm rose up.

And behind a building of the complex the top wing of the Lambda shuttle arose, although most of the ship was covered in palm leaves, it didn't see to be destroyed. Through his light enhancing head up display SunTzu could recognize that a small antenna and was rising up next to it.

He overflew the complex and landed a bit afar the backside in a forest clearing.

Taking his carbine and his plate carrier from their compartments in the Cockpit, turned around and motioned Rei to stay inside and opened the canopy. He jumped out and lay down in the grass. While the canopy closed again.

He waited a few moments but nothing moved. So far, so good.

The canopy opened again and Rei in her orange flying suit got out as well.

She covered down next to SunTzu.

"I wanted you to stay inside AICA."

"I know. But I didn't want too."
SunTzu sighed.

The couple waited a bit longer and then moved up cautiously to the next tree line.

Still no movement.

They got into cover behind the first tree they came upon and peeked around. Still nothing.

He moved up some more and Rei followed him close behind. They moved very slowly in the low light to not fall over any leaves or branches on the ground.

The couple had passed fifty meters and was about to get into cover behind a tree again as suddenly dark figures emerged behind trees all around them, weapons drawn.

SunTzu cursed inside. He knew there had been something in this forest.

A group of indigenous Nautolans, covered in leave suits and other camouflage, had them surrounded and told them in basic with a heavy dialect to drop their weapons and put their hands behind them.

"TopGun?" Rei asked nervous.

"Do what they say." The pilot said strained.

SunTzu dropped his rifle and pistol and the Nautolans tied their hands in ropes and lead them on, through the forest and upwards the hill where the shuttle was located at.

Too bad his hands were tied behind his back, AICA might could have punched them out.

After ten minutes they arrived at the hill and were lead through a gate into the compound, that was surrounded by a wall.

They were brought in front of a building, guarded by two armed Nautolans.

Rei and SunTzu were told to stay where they are and the Nautolans surrounded them again.

The couple leaned in, while the humanoids seemed to wait for something.

"I take back what I said. This could be even worse than Bestine."

"Don't worry, I won't let anybody harm you."

"As female Japanese there are way too many tentacles here for my liking but I can start making fried Octopus Head whenever I want. That's not the problem. I worry about Ami."

That moment the door of the house opened and two Nautolans, one of them looking older than the ones around as well as a third individual behind them, stepped outside.

The Nautolans parted and the person, obviously a woman, clothed like a pirate in the movies, including an old fashioned Captain's hat, walked up to the two earthlings. She had a blaster pistol tugged in on her leather belt and a large knife sheath hanging also from the belt.

"Ami!" SunTzu and Rei yelled surprised as the woman walked up to them.

"It's Captain Mercury." She stated with a stern voice before she stared at each of her friends for a moment.

"Are you here to help me or to bring me back?"

SunTzu and Rei exchanged questioning looks.

"I came here to drink Rum." The pilot stated. Ami looked at him as she was about to slap him. Instead of slapping him though, she walked around him and removed his chrono from his wrist, no way he could call AICA now.

"Mercury, we got Rudi's message and went here. Would you maybe tell us what's going on here?" Rei said, both shocked and surprised from Ami's behavior.

A Nautolan appeared at Ami's Side and whispered something in her ear.

"I have to go." With that she walked away.

"They don't mean harm, release their bonds but keep them on the compound. Care for them." She told the Nautolans as she walked away.

The Nautolans released their constraints but let them inside the house. They were brought to a small room on the end of the building and told to sit down on what would be the indigenous variant of a sofa. At least they didn't keep a guard in the room.

A rumbling in the sky could be heard.

"Ami is my home girl but if she steals AICA we have a problem." SunTzu said and looked out of the room's window trying to spot AICA, but couldn't.

"I've known Ami for half my life but I never saw her like that. So stern and so hard." Rei said, obviously moved by what she just experienced.

SunTzu turned around from the window and got back to Rei, putting his arms around her and embracing his love.

"I'm sure there is an explanation."

He at least hoped so. If the blue haired genius had snapped for a reason, someone was in trouble.

He tried to calm Rei down while they waited for whatever would happen next.

After what could have been a hour they heard AICA coming back again.

The door to their room opened and the two earthlings were escorted out of the house again and lead to an open area on the compound.

AICA came in and landed next to them. She opened the canopy.

The couple was told to get in.

As soon as they were sitting the starfighter lifted off and headed out to the ocean.

"AICA, talk to me. What's going on?"

"Negative. Command unknown."

"Are you fucking kidding me? She turned off the AI. Ami turned off AICA's AI! I guess the ship is remote controlled right now. Someone really has some explaining to do when I get to her!"

A few minutes later, Glee Anselm's sun now was shining down and on her way up the sky, they were heading towards a strange grey something floating in the sea. A wooden tower on its back and some more stuff hanging on the sides and backs were visible.

When they came more near they could see that it actually used to be an AT-AT swimmer, basically an AT-AT which legs had been exchanged with repulsors and some other minor changes like a laser turret in the back. These had been used as aquatic transport and attack vehicles since the Galactic Civil War.

AICA soared in and hovered over the rear end of the swimmer. The canopy opened.

The two understood and SunTzu jumped first on the AT-AT before he helped Rei to land safely on the swimmer. When they were out, the canopy closed and AICA rocketed away again.

SunTzu's gaze followed her. He was beginning to get really pissed.

What was Ami thinking she was doing here?

The lovers took a glance around. The tower was actually a crows nest and had a sail attached also.

The sides had been made bigger with spare metal and some looked like they were used as gun turrets. Others housed Speederbikes, a small repulsor platform and a boat.

A hatch opened and Hulk climbed out, followed by Rudy, both were not clothed in regulation.

SunTzu immediately stormed towards the two Commandos.

"Yo, does anyone might have the motherfucking decency to tell what the fuck is going on here?!"

The two commandos looked at each other and Hulk shrugged.

"Told you." He said to Rudy.

"Rei would you come over for a moment, Ami wants to talk to you."

Rei was surprised but walked up to the men.

"And what about me? What about my fucking starfighter?" SunTzu cursed on.

"Lieutenant, would you please come down?" Rudi told him. Rei was in front of the two men and Hulk motioned her to climb down the hatch. He followed her.

SunTzu tried to follow her but Rudy stepped into his path.

"We were ordered to only let Miss Hino Inside." SunTzu's eyes widened in anger.

"Gunnery Sergeant Ruiz, I'm ordering you to step out of my way."

"Sorry Sir, we're operating out of the regular chain of command here."

"Okay." SunTzu said and nodded angry. He walked a step back and then jumped forward trying to rush past the former Force Recon Marine.

The action ended when Rudy snatched him out of the air. SunTzu struggled with Rudy and tried to get past him. The Commando was a seasoned warrior and also an professional King Fu Fighter. There was no way he could beat him in hand to hand combat.

"Please LT, remember your Jedi Training and calm down. We mean no harm."

SunTzu struggled more and Rudy decided to fix him. He snatched his legs away and SunTzu landed hard on the metallic back of the Transport. Rudy took a piece of cable tie he had on his duty belt and tied SunTzu's hands with them while he kneeled on his back.

"Really SunTzu, that was not Jedi like."

Fuck being Jedi-like.

Someone should be happy I wasn't trained by the other guys. I'll be electrocuting someone now, SunTzu thought while he struggled to get free.

"I know you're worried about Rei but I promise on my men, she is safe. And please stop to resist, it's just more pain for you."

SunTzu stopped to resist. He probably was right and so SunTzu took a very deep breather.

"Okay, I'll stop now."

"Good, I'm glad you're willing to cooperate."

Rudi stood up and pulled SunTzu so he was sitting upright now.

SunTzu took another deep breath. Maybe Rudi was right and he really should come down now completely. He could hear Master Durron in his head. Don't let the wrath get to you in the end.

SunTzu closed his eyes and started meditating.

Rudi sat down next to him, cross legged and closed his eyes too. As a Kung Fu Warrior he meditated a lot too.

Meanwhile Rei had climbed down the ladder into the top floor of the Aquatic Terrain Armored Transport as the swimmer was officially called.

The floor, usually housing combat ready troopers had been transformed into a small command center and common room. Data cards and pads, batteries , a rugged notebook and radios were scattered around a table with two foldable chairs around it. Dish, the Comms Specialist was sitting on one of the chairs, fixing a radio.

A few bags, barrels and boxes with provisions and water were stapled in one corner. A case of Captain Morgan Bottles prominently stood in front of everything, other bottles of rum were laying around too.

In another corner colored transport boxes were piled up. Briggs, Smithy and Kiwi were shifting through the boxes and making a list of the insides.

Other stuff like a makeshift bbq grill and folded chairs were on the walls as well.

In a gun rack at the door to rear, where the electronics and energy supply of the swimmer was stored as well as the access to the rear laser, various rifles and blasters were stored.

Near the ladder to the top hatch, the Brazilian commando Piedro leaned against the wall, rifle on his back, like the rest of the commandos in the room, eyeing Rei, which made her feel rather uneasy. Hulk made a small detour to the rum case and took a bottle of overproof rum with him.

"Please follow me to the captain's cabin Diplomat Hino." Hulk said and opened the hatch to the lower floor, in the middle of the room.

While they climbed down another ladder they could hear something hit the top of the transport.

Rei hoped that SunTzu would do well up there. Knowing him he would probably go crazy right now, with her being alone inside the machine. But Rudi was nobody to be messed with. The two comrades wouldn't hurt each other, would they?

The second troop compartment in the lower deck had been transformed as well.

It was the quarters of Team 1 now. Various hammocks and sleeping pads with sleeping bags were in the room as well as backpacks and other personal gear.

Doc Martens was sitting on a cardboard filled with military rations and checking his medic backpack. He gave a small nod to Rei as she arrived at the deck.

In the back was a door, Nava the Israeli Commando was leaning next to it, a large Desert Eagle Pistol tugged in her belt, while she also had a leg holster with a large knife on. Over the door a white skull with a sapphire colored Mercury sign on his forehead was painted.

Hulk lead her through the room to the door.

Nava gave Rei the hint of a two finger salut.

"The Captain is waiting for you." She said and knocked on the door.

Hulk handed her the bottle of rum and nodded as goodbye.

Nava opened the door after a moment and motioned Rei inside.

The room was maybe half as big as the troop compartment rooms and not very well lit.

As soon as Rei was inside, Nava closed the door behind her. Rei got frightened and turned around.

As she turned forward again, Ami was standing in front of her. She looked exhausted, her eyes red and rings under her eyes. Her usual positive and friendly demeanor seemed gone.

She pulled the bottle of rum from Rei's hand and walked over to a small desk, examining the bottle. Except the desk there was only a wooden crate, a hammock in the back and two chairs around the desk.

On the desk were data cards and a data pad, a blaster and some empty bottles, that probably once contained alcohol. And her Mercury Computer.

Ami circled the desk, and opened the bottle. She sat down, put her feet on the desk and took a big sip. Way too big for the time of day, the strength of the rum or for Ami herself. At least that was, what Rei thought.

"Ah, SunTzu knows what's good. Makes you feel warm from the inside."

Ami sighed and motioned for Rei to sit down.

"I'm sorry for the rather harsh welcome. We have to keep security uptight though. Welcome on the Mercury's Revenge."

"Ami, what in the gods' names is going on?"

Sailor Mercury slid the bottle over to Rei.

Rei shook her head, glancing at the bottle and then looking back at Mercury.

"Well, means more for me."

Ami shrugged and took another sip.

The alcohol seemed to start to work as Ami had zoned out.

"Ami Urawa, Sailor Senshi of Water and Intellect!"

Ami twitched when she heard the name Urawa. She looked at the table and her face got even more sad. Rei thought she would cry but instead she took a sip again. Mars swore that she never saw her friend so far beside her. And this last sip was enough, did she try to drink herself to death?

She stood up, ripped the bottle out of a surprised Ami's hands and slapped Ami. Her hand was stopped by Ami's hand midair though.

Ami looked straight into Rei's eyes and Rei could see a deep sadness, beyond despair in the blue haired woman's eyes. Tears shot up Ami's eyes as she moved her hand and took Rei's hand in hers.

"Rei… they have Ryu…"

Rei needed a moment to be able to talk again, while tears ran down Ami's face.

"What do you mean, they have Ryu? And who are they?"

Ami sobbed and fought with her self-composure for a moment before she used her hands to wipe away her tears.

Rei pulled out a handkerchief out of her pocket and handed it to her friend.

Seeing Ami so broken finally made Rei take a sip of the rum too.

After wiping away the tears and cleaning her nose Ami had enough strength again to talk.

"I'm sorry but I was so bold to check your holos in AICA. Agent Smith sent you a pretty spot on synopsis. Wait a second."

Ami pulled out a holo projector from the mess on her desk and started it.

The image of the Intelligence Agent appeared and Ami fast forwarded a bit.

"As most of you know Captain Urawa made sure that we have a black budget to fight this war. She also already used it on various purposes. One of these purposes was Glee Anselm."

The image of the planet appeared on the holo.

"Glee Anselm is a aquatic planet in the Mid Rim. Some more or less large islands are it's main land source. It contains two sentient native species, the mostly aquatic Nautolans and the land-dwelling Anselmi. While usually parted in living in the sea or on land, the Anselmi are a dying breed and are now only scattered on some larger islands in the northern hemisphere, engaging almost exclusively with themselves anymore. The Nautolans make up the bulk of the population as well as all governmental, industrial and economical sectors, important for the planet. More and more Nautolans now life on land too, although the sea is their main mean of resources.

A large tech and industry company the Kengal Corporation is a major power on the planet. It's lead by Aldmic Mapeden, a former Colonel of the Imperial Security Bureau. He's one of the few ISB Officers that never were proven guilty of their charges by the New Republic, in his case there were simply no more witnesses alive or documents stating his crimes left."

The image changed to the picture of the man, a stern looking bald man with obviously muscular frame. Ami spat on the floor.

Agent Smith continued, changing the image of the planet into a stylished Company Symbol in a neon green.

"Kengal is making it's buisness with almost any possible modern sector of industry and is the largest company on Glee Anselm. A decade ago Mapeden came to the planet and started with an investment company. A year ago he suddenly had so much money that he basically bought the whole planet's industry. Nobody knew where he had the money from and nobody asked. Captain Urawa stumbled upon his name in her investigations. She found that the company controlled an Army of Private Military Contractors, mostly old hardliner Imperials from the Core including their heavy equipment, and used them to oppress the local population in a wide area around the equator of the planet. The planet's government didn't intervene, so it's pretty safe to say they are paid to keep to be quiet and look the other way."

The agent changed the picture again and the Image of a Pirate Flag with a a sapphire colored Mercury Symbol on the white skull's forehead, two white crossed bones under the skull. The background was the common black.

"Captain Urawa used some of the black budget to form and arm a Guerilla Organisation, named the Sapphire Pirates by her, made up by the local nautolan population. A few remote islands and atolls are already controlled by the Pirates and fighting against the Kengal mercenaries. Local authorities are almost nonexistent out of the main islands, and the executive power is outsourced to Kengal. The Captain secretly traveled to Glee Anselm before and is well known under the members of the pirate group. They worship her as their founder." Agent Smith sighed and was quiet for a moment.

"Lieutenant. Diplomat Hino. If you know where Captain Urawa is on the planet please let me know immediately. We are worried that something terrible happened."

Ami shut the projector off.

"Smith is a good man. I wish he was here. Anyways, he was right, something terrible happened. As you know Ryu was on a business travel off planet. That was just an alibi. Actually he got here to help me with the Sapphire Pirates. Nine days ago he was visiting a village at the border of our area of influence, trying to help the villagers with their fresh water supplies. The village was attacked and Ryu has been missing ever since."

"Is he… is he dead?" Rei asked, choking on the words.

"No. It sounds stupid but as you know he's a psychic too and I can, i can feel he's still alive! I hear him calling for me. But I haven't found out where he is yet. When I heard he was gone I took what I could without being detected immediately, ordered Team 1 to join me and since we got planetside we basically been raiding Kengal troops and transports nonstop, trying to get Intel where Ryu is. The days are significantly longer here so for earth standards we've been here longer than a week. And I guess somewhen between fits of crying, numbing the pain with strong liquor, being a pirate leader and constant fighting I might have lost it."

Ami put her hands in her face.

"Oh God, did I really shut down AICA's AI?"

Rei stood up again and circled the table, she leaned down over Ami and embraced her.

Ami started to cry bitterly again.

"Rei, It is my fault they have Ryu!"

Rei and Ami stood there for a few minutes and Rei comforted her good friend before Ami could collect herself again.

"Don't worry my beloved Ami-Chan, we are here now. And we will find and we will save your husband. I swear on our friendship."

"Thank you Rei. From the bottom of my heart."

"Kickass outfit by the way." Rei commented Ami's new style with a wry grin after a short moment of silence.

Suddenly an alarm began to ring inside the transport and Ami stormed out of her room Nava and Doc Martens were already getting their rifles when Ami rushed through the door to the cockpit on the opposite side.

In the Captain's Room Rei transformed in Sailor Mars in the meantime.

Sailor Mercury entered the cockpit, the two shuttle pilots were piloting the swimmer.

"What is it?"

"Got a swimmer coming in, 5 clicks northeast. He's dropping Speederbikes." The copilot told what was happening to Senshi.

"Swerve south, full speed and try to bring the nearest island between us and them. We don't have the weapons to fight another AT-Swimmer right now."

Their tactics were hit and run and their main laser cannons energy had been reduced to keep the transport's battery working longer, so a fight with a armoured vehicle was something they wanted to avoid.

The swimmer suddenly changed it's direction and SunTzu and Rudy opened their eyes again.

While SunTzu still sat, hands tied behind his back, Rudy jumped up and looked up to the crow's nest.

"What's the matter?!" Rudy yelled up there.

"We got a AT-Swimmer and some Speederbikes coming in." Aussie, the team's sniper, answered. "I spotted them already."

A shoot from a heavy rifle could be heard from above as the first speeder bikes were shooting towards their swimmer.

Rudi ran back to the hatch.

"Hey, what about me?! Rudy, let me go!"

SunTzu struggled again as he tried to get free.

As Rudi opened the hatch the first blaster shots from the enemy speeders came in.

Blaster bolts hit the swimmer's armor and rang in around Rudi as he jumped down the hatch.

SunTzu took a deep breather as a blaster bolt hit the swimmer's back a few centimeters away from his feet.

Okay SunTzu, you just meditated, you're one with the Force, you'll find something to help yourself. What can you do right now?

Jumping from the swimmer into the water with tied hands wasn't an option, it's even better to get shot than to drown.

Ripping them up with force was out of the question too.

An incoming speeder exploded nearby as a bullet from Aussie found it's target.

Another blaster bolt ricocheted away infront of him. A few centimeters more and that would have been the end of any family planning he ever would have had.

As more blaster fire came in around them and Aussie tried to shoot the incoming speeder bikes, which wasn't easy even for a great shot as he was, SunTzu closed his eyes again and concentrated. He could feel the people inside the swimmer, especially the strong auras of Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars.

Thanks for apparently forgetting me up here.

He took a deep breather and focused on himself. The Force-Sensitive could feel the zip ties around his wrist and concentrated. It was so damn small to catch but after a few tries he finally got the release button and pressed it down with the Force.

As the first speeder bike shot up on his side he opened the zip ties and was free again.

He opened his eyes to see that the Scout Trooper piloting the speeder beside him, his armor not completely white but also sporting neon green, pulled his blaster and was about to aim in on him.

SunTzu jumped up, took a running start and jumped towards the speeder from the back of the AT-AT.

Feet first he crashed upon the Scouttrooper and kicked him out of the seat. He immediately grabbed the steerage as the speederbike was about to break out and somehow managed it to bring it under control.

A blaster shot rang past his left side and a quick shoulder glance revealed another bike coming in from behind, shooting at him.

On the Mercury's Revenge, as the commandos had dubbed their seized AT-AT-Swimmer, the hatch opened again and Rudi, Smithy and Hulk came out of the hatch, now armed. They were pretty surprised to see SunTzu on a speederbike besides their mobile home.

SunTzu held up his middle finger towards them before he hit the break of the speederbike and fell back, the speeder bike behind him had to swerve and shot past SunTzu, who accelerated again and rushed past the bike. A salvo from SunTzu's newly acquired speederbike destroyed the enemy bike's thruster and the bike crashed into the ocean.

On the upper side of the Mercury's revenge the three Commandos shot down to more speeder bikes.

Four more bikes where incoming from the enemy transport chasing them, slowly but steadily approaching. SunTzu hit the break again, till the transport of the commandos shot past him and veered towards the quartet of speederbikes coming in.

One crashed into the ocean as Aussie hit the pilot. The second wave of bikes also transported pillion riders.

SunTzu rushed towards them from the side and destroyed one with his bike's blaster.

The passengers draw their blasters and tried to aim in on him as he closed in.

He rushed in between two bikes and hit the break and ducked as one of the passengers just shot at him, the bolt hit the passenger of the other enemy speeder and the scout feel down from his backseat.

The scout that shot was very angry now and turned around to shoot SunTzu now.

SunTzu was already shooting up next to him again and kicked the man hard into his side and grabbed the man's blaster. They were struggling for a short moment, the enemy speeder bike pilot looking back what was happening and trying to pull his blaster too.

With a force-increased pull SunTzu finally ripped the scout's blaster out of his hand and rolled it in his hands till it was aiming towards the enemy.

He shot the trooper in the back through the side of his helmet and the Pilot in the neck before he turned to the other side where the fourth pilot just was trying to bring his bike in to shoot at SunTzu's bike and shot the man in the face.

As the last speederbike crashed into the sea behind him, SunTzu took a deep breather and looked around. He could recognize the other AT-AT, heading towards them.

He accelerated and took course towards their hunter.

Letting the bike run as it could be rocketed towards the repulsor transport's port side, a few moments before the speeder bike crashed into the larger vehicle he stood up on his seat. His plan was a force-strengthened jump on top of the transport. And he hoped it would work or that would have been the rather inglorious end of the Pilot SunTzu.

Although it was his first time doing it the Force jump somehow worked and he jumped to his forward left landing near the front of the transport and rolling up while the speederbike crashed and exploded in the middle of the transport's side.

The transport was rocked but stayed hovering and moving.

SunTzu shook his head to chase away the stars he was seeing and got up, to see the top hatch opening.

He rushed over and arrived as the first scout was almost out, drawing his blaster.

He greeted the man with a foot between the legs, followed by a hard right. The helmet was pretty hard though and SunTzu shook his hand in pain.

The man was again trying to raise his pistol, as SunTzu grabbed into one of his pouches, draw a thermal detonator, activated it and let it fall down the ladder, besides the struggling trooper.

The detonator hit the trooper with crossed arms on the head. The trooper fell down the ladder, taking another trooper with him. Inside the transport the remaining troopers were trying to pick up the live detonator, that was rolling to the back of the compartment.

SunTzu above them turned around, and started running and then took a long jump into the water.

He was still in the air when the detonator exploded and the first explosion was followed by a second larger explosion when the battery in the back of the swimmer exploded.

SunTzu dove into the water as the blast wave hit and he dived as fast and deep as he could while debris shot passed him, leaving swirls as traces behind it.

The remains of the AT-AT crashed hard into the water and began to sink as water spilled in through the destroyed back.

A whole squad of Heavy troopers found their wet grave in the second troop compartment as the water shot in before they could get out. The cockpit crew would share their fate as the hard hit on the water had rendered them unconscious ,as they hit their heads on the cockpit's frames, and water was running into the cockpit now.

After more than a minute SunTzu broke through the ocean's surface a few dozen meters afar from the wrecked swimmer.

He sharply drew in air.

At least that AT-AT wasn't chasing anyone anymore.

He looked around for a while and finally saw the AT-AT Sailor Mercury and Team 1 were using a few kilometers away. At least it looked like they weren't moving anymore and since there was land or other places to swim to in sight he guessed it would be the best to swim back to the transport.

He only hoped that they didn't had stuff like sharks or even worse around here as he began to swim towards the Mercury's Revenge.

The three man on the back upside of the Revenge were looking in wonder how the AT-AT chasing them exploded and sunk.

"That's one cold son of a bitch." Smithy stated. "I hope he made it."

Rudy beside him was looking through a pair of macro binoculars.

"He did. You guys won't believe this." Rudy said and handed Smithy the binoculars.

"Holy Shit, that motherfucker is swimming back."

"I hope this will cool his mood a bit down."

Three and a half kilometers of swimming and thankfully no animal attack later, SunTzu reached the Mercury's revenge and used a rung ladder near the backside to climb on top of the transport.

When he reached the top he sat down a moment to calm his breath.

Behind him, near the entry hatch, Smithy, Hulk, Rudy, Nava, Ribeiro, Kiwi, Doc Martens, Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury were standing, watching him. Especially Mars seemed to be worried with him.

After a moment of just sitting there, SunTzu let out a long sigh and got up. Stony-faced, he slowly walked over to the group of people that were all standing in front of Mercury. Ami was holding SunTzu's chronometer and the bottle of Rum she and Rei were drinking from in her hand. She thought he could need a drink now.

The people slowly parted as he walked through their ranks, eyes straight on their captain.

Rei was standing next to Rudy who was in between her and Ami and when SunTzu passed his girlfriend, that was standing in the midst of the people, whose loyalty to the Crystal Kingdom SunTzu was questioning right now, he stopped, turned his head towards her and just stared at her for a moment.

She tried to smile but failed under his stark gaze and looked away. He walked on over to Sailor Mercury and stopped in front of her, staring in her blue eyes. Her face was completely neutral as she held his chrono up towards him.

"Listen Mercury, Anne Bonny, Colonel Kurtz or whatever your calling yourself these days. There's two things you don't do to a man. First," he snatched the chronometer from her hand," you don't steal his starship. And second," he pulled the bottle of Rum out of her other hand, "you don't steal his drink."

That said, leaving Rudy and Hulk ready to jump onto him, he turned around and walked away.

The pilot walked to the back of the repulsor transport and sat down.

Sailor Mars wanted to walk over to him but Sailor Mercury held her back with her arm and a shake of her head.

The first thing he did was call AICA and taking back the override order and activating her AI again. The ship acted like nothing had happened and he ordered her to his position, sparing of words.

Next thing he did was to take a big sip of the overproof rum.

Then he pulled his cigarettes out of his flight suit's pocket, thank god these things were waterproof, along with a lighter and lighted a cigarette. He took a deep draw.

Ah, he felt better now.

The group watched him smoking his cigarette and taking sips of rum when AICA came flying in and held her position a bit above and beyond the Mercury's Revenge.

Suddenly Team 1's radios came to life and the cockpit told them that they had four Tie Targeters, basically regular Tie-Fighters that were specified to attack ground targets, closing in.

From his position on the back SunTzu could hear the radio chatter and the sound as the crew sprang to life to get away from the air attack.

He sighed again, took a last draw of his cigarette and threw it away.

SunTzu waved AICA over and the starfighter came in, hovering just a few centimeters over the transport. The canopy opened and SunTzu jumped on AICA's front and got into the cockpit. Soon as he sat, ignoring AICA's complaints about him being wet, he closed the canopy and shot away.

Three minutes later the pilots in the AT-AT's cockpit reported that something very fast shot down the four Ties and was now moving out of their detection range.

A few minutes later two columns of black smoke rose on the horizon, a few dozen kilometers away.

Twenty minutes later, AICA appeared next to the Mercury's revenge again.

After destroying a large gunboat and another swimmer as well as bombing the small landing strip the Ties came from and destroying another four Ties on the ground SunTzu was pretty sure that nobody was following the AT-AT anymore.

SunTzu let AICA open a radio channel to the repulsor craft.

"Straw Hat Pirates or whatever you guys call yourself right now, you should be free of any pursuers now."

Ami herself replied to him.

"Mercury's Revenge to SunTzu. Thanks for the help, we appreciate it. We're sending the coordinates for our next stop over."

Mercury's Revenge? For what Ami wanted revenge? For the first time that day SunTzu thought that something bad might had happen to his friend.

"Copy Revenge. I got ammo for another air raid on an enemy installation, any target

you can assign me to?"

Sailor Mercury, standing at her desk and speaking into a communicator, Sailor Mars standing next to her, couldn't help but form a little smile on her lips. It seemed that SunTzu had swallowed down his anger the trouble of their arrival had caused him and was actively helping them. She put the hand microphone back to her mouth.

"Roger that SunTzu. How about an enemy naval fuel and resupply depot? Sending the coordinates over as well."

"Copy Captain. SunTzu checking out, commencing air raid on enemy installation.

Give my regards to my girlfriend."

AICA whooshed away again.

No hard feelings.

Three hours later, SunTzu had played a bit cat and mouse with a alarmed flight of Tie-Interceptors after the bombing of the depot, which had ended in a gigantic explosion of the main fuel storage as SunTzu shot a missile into it and had made sure nobody was following him. Also he took the time to ask AICA if she knew of anything that was up. Her AI had been switched off almost immediately by Ami.

The coordinates led him to a small city on an island roughly hundred kilometers away from where they landed this dawn.

Dish navigated him in on a field near a large storage depot outside the city. As he landed a group of armed Nautolans was surrounding AICA. Ami had been so nice to put his rifle, pistol and plate carrier on AICA's backseat again. He grabbed them, put the plate carrier on and checked the rifle.

"AICA, be ready for self defense." He said as he opened the canopy.

As soon as he rose up the Nautolans started to cheer and threw their rifles up. He put the safety on his rifle and tried to climb down but they literally carried him away and over to the warehouse.

What the hell is happening now?

The Nautolans lowered him down, thanking him exuberantly and circling him.

SunTzu played it down, thanking them and tried to get out.

As he finally got out the knot of people he stopped mid step.

Standing in front of the building's side door was Rei, dressed in a classic pirate outfit, red skirt, overknee boots with stockings underneath all the way up to the skirt, a red officer's coat, white blouse and a broad leather belt around her waist and belly. She also was wearing a red bandana over her hair and a dagger, hanging in a sheath from her hip.

"Looks like you made peace with the locals."

His lover told him with a large smile.

He walked over to her, eyeballing her from top to bottom.

"Rei… you look…" He spluttered out.

"I know." She put her hands around his head and neck and pulled him over for a long and passionate kiss.

"Welcome to Glee Anselm. And if you'd follow me now, I have to show you something." She took his hand and lead him inside.

In there, Sailor or rather Captain Mercury as she was known around here, was surrounded by nautolans, mostly women, children and elderly people and she and the Commandos, supported by some nautolan pirates, distributed food and stolen currency between the poor and malnourished looking population that gathered around the front of the storage house.

Some of the Nautolans came up to Mercury to thank her personally and to shake her hand or stroke her face. SunTzu finally could see the old warm-hearted Ami he hadn't see since earth.

He and Sailor Mars beside him quietly observed the scene.

A few minutes later Ami was feeding a small Nautolan Baby with a bottle while the Nautolan that carried her in, obviously her grandfather, was eating a meal, something that looked like a mixture of rice and beans. The man looked very skinny and weak.

The baby's parents weren't anywhere in sight.

The lovers went out trough the side entrance again and a couple of Nautolan Kids played around Sailor Mars and she decided to take part in their playful chase.

SunTzu looked around, there still were hundreds of civilians trying to to get into the storage room. Near the side entrance a Nautolan Man and Doc Martens were talking to each other and the medic gave the man some pharmaceuticals. Obviously the Nautolan was a doctor.

The armed Nautolans either guarded the area or tried to keep order at the front gate of the storage house.

SunTzu walked back to AICA, thinking about what he was seeing here. It looked like this part of Glee Anselm was poor and suffering. And Ami and the Commandos as well as the Pirates were helping these people.

AICA, who was guarded by three Nautolans, that looked extra cautiously for any looming dangers as they saw SunTzu coming in, opened her canopy and SunTzu got in. He stored his rifle and body armor in the cockpit again and took a bottle of water out of another compartment. While he drank the bottle in big sips he was thinking about what he saw and what he should do next.

From distance he observed Rei playing with the kids, the children screaming joyfully as she chased them. But although she was smiling he could see something was troubling her inside.

When she saw him sitting in AICA, canopy opened she waved at him. Yeah, something was definitely not right, that was not her usual beaming smile. He finished the bottle, gave AICA a gentle brush over here console and got out.

"I'll try to get some answers soon. I'll contact you on if something comes up. You'll be alright here?"

"Of course. Just don't let anybody turn down my AI again."

"I promise." He put a hand on AICA's frame for a moment and then walked back to the storage house.

Rei came walking towards him when he was halfway at the building.

"TopGun, are you telling AICA again that you love her more than me?" She said playfully, although there was this hint of sorrow in her face again.

"Rei, are you okay? Something seems to bother you. Is it because of Ami?"

"I think it's better Ami tells you herself." She looked him in the eyes. "I think you will understand everything when you have talked to her."

He nodded and the Diplomat and him walked back and entered the building. The Nautolan doctor was inside now and examined the baby, while Doc Martens and Ami stood next to the sitting old Nautolan, observing the scene.

Rudy came over and whispered something into Mercury's ear. She nodded and waved an Nautolan over and exchanged a few words with him.

SunTzu and Sailor Mars got to her just as the Nautolan walked away.

She looked at SunTzu for a moment.

"You're probably hungry, aren't you?"

SunTzu nodded, he was by now.

"Good, let's have lunch before we head out again."

The Sun was standing high up now as a repulsor truck with flat bed took them away from the storage house, the people waving and cheering at Mercury.

They drove through the city, strategic positions in it were guarded by armed Nautolans SunTzu noticed, and got to the small harbor of the city. Everybody they passed was waving and cheering for Ami.

The Mercury's' Revenge was laying at the small harbor, guarded by Nautolans and some of the Commandos.

They drove a little further to a big wooden house near the beach and got out.

A large family of Nautolans, the men armed except for an old man, was in- and outside the house and welcomed them.

The oldest woman stroked Ami's face and the old man shook the Commando's hands.

On a fireplace outside a huge pot was stirring.

A group of children came out and the Commandos handed out chewing gum and candy to them.

Ami went inside the house, followed by Rudy.

"No matter where we go, the people adore Ami." SunTzu stated and pulled out his box of cigarettes. He handed one to Rei and she lighted his with her powers before she lighted hers as well.

After a few minutes Ami came out of the house again and a few women followed, carrying wooden bowls, glasses and containers of water.

Ami waved them over and told them sit down while the women started to distribute the food to everyone.

Sailor Mars and SunTzu sat down next to each other, one of the Nautolan women gave them each a bowl of a stew made with local, fresh seafood.

SunTzu poked inside the stew with his spoon when Doc Martens sat down near them and told them that it's great food.

Well, if the medic said so.

SunTzu finally tried the stew and it was really great, rich in taste and well seasoned. A woman handed him a glass of water with a local fruit inside, with the fruit the water tasted a bit of lemon as well as melon.

The earthlings finished their meal and said their goodbyes, getting back to the Mercury's Revenge, carrying portions of the food for the guards.

The AT-AT-Swimmer departed the harbor and they headed back out to the ocean. Some of the Commandos went for a nap in hammocks, others checked gear and weapons.

Mars and SunTzu were sitting at the back of the vehicle and watched the island disappear in the horizon. She was sitting between his legs and he held her in a close embrace.

She obviously enjoyed being near him but there still was her sadness.

Ami appeared behind them.

"SunTzu?"

He leaned back and looked up to her.

"I think we should talk." She said and he nodded.

Rei got up so he could stand up and the three went inside the transport.

"I'll wait here." Rei said as they were in front of the door to the captain's room.

SunTzu and Sailor Mercury got into the room and Ami motioned him to sit on the chair at the table while she rounded the table to sit down as well.

She put a bottle of something on the table as well as two small colored glasses.

"I'll pour one for me, feel free to do the same. But be aware, this is the strong local stuff."

SunTzu looked at her. She never struck him like a big drinker.

"Ami? What is really going on here?"

She poured herself a glass and began to tell him what happened.

And the blue haired Genius told him everything. And of course she broke down again.

SunTzu felt so damn bad for her. He would go crazy too if someone would snatch away Rei from him.

"Woah. First of all, I'm so so sorry for what happened and for my behavior earlier today."

She forced herself to a small smile.

"I should have told you everything from the beginning too. And you shouldn't have come here with just Team 1. The whole Taskforce would be willing to help you."

"I don't know. I think leading an insurgency against officially government appointed forces isn't the kind of PR our Kingdom needs. Especially in these days were we need all the support we can get."

"Still, I think we would find a way. Anyways, what's our next move? AICA only has three missiles left but I'm willing to do my part to get Ryu back. Preferably if I can blow something up."

"We're on the way to another raid on a supply convoy and then it's back to the next island we can supply. Kengal is starving out this area and this even started before the Sapphire Pirates were founded. I don't know why yet but I hope to get behind it, when we find Ryu."

SunTzu nodded and took another sip of the local rum like beverage. It burned it's way down his throat.

His lips curled up to wry grin as he examined the colored glass in his hand.

"Who would have thought that our blue haired Genius would become a Pirate Queen one day?"

He shook his head in disbelief.

"How long Ami? How long have you been doing this already?"

"I got onto Kengal shortly after you arrived in Crystal Tokyo. And founded the Sapphire's soon after I seized money for the first time from the enemy. So, around three months ago."

"And all this in secret? You're a master of disguise Ami."

She shrugged.

"Those people needed help. I never wanted to be their role model but yet here we are. And being able to fly an Y-Wing with hyperspace drive while you can fake the flight data helped too."

SunTzu poured himself another one. Typical Sailor Senshi, always raising the bar for crazy stuff.

But he also was notorious for doing crazy stuff so they might be just fine after all.

—-