Since it was King Endymion asking for him, SunTzu got ready extra early and the pilot was just putting on his uniform jacket sitting on the bed, when Rei, naked except for her diamond earrings, cuddled up against him from behind, her arms embracing him.

She kissed his neck and hugged him from behind.

"Good Morning."

Taking her hand SunTzu kissed it.

"Good Morning Beautiful. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a stone. And you? Why are you leaving already?"

"I slept very well, could have been longer tho." They gave each other everything they had after coming home and after the night of passionate love making he was a bit exhausted.

"Yesterday night while you were already sleeping I got a phone call from King Endymion. He told me to be at the base at nine because he needs me to fly him to the USA with AICA. And also he seemed to be drunk." SunTzu continued as he buttoned up his jacket.

"Maybe he was partying into his birthday. But going to the states surprises me a bit, I haven't heard anything about that."

"Oh Shit, i forgot it's his birthday! Good thing you reminded me, thanks Baby."

"Well, even Rei Hino can be supportive towards her boyfriend." The black haired beauty stated with a hint of irony.

"I'll get him a gift on the way." SunTzu turned around and took Rei's face into his hand.

"I love you. And I hope you have a nice day."

"I love you too." Rei said and looked him deep in the eyes before she started smiling.

"And I love these earrings. Thank you so much again." She leaned in and whispered in his ear. "Sure, you have to leave already? Don't have any time left?" She ended the sentence with a nibble on his earlobe.

"Although I would wish to spend the day between your thighs I'm sorry. Can't make the King wait."

He kissed her passionately and got up.

When a way more rested and better looking than expected King Endymion, wearing an uniform of the Kingdom without ranks, arrived at the hangar, SunTzu had already made AICA ready to take off but wasn't in his flight suit yet.

As SunTzu noticed the King he bowed down for a greeting.

The King nodded as answer and when he ended the bow SunTzu extended his hand towards his ruler. Endymion shook it.

"Happy Birthday King."

"Thank you Lieutenant. I'm sorry I called you up so late and you ended with rather short notice here."

"No problem my King. I'm honored to take you to the USA."

"Right. But let's cut the formal bullshit, although I might look like it, I'm still hungover and In a bad mood. I know I probably cut your time with Rei short but I really need someone I can trust on this trip."

"Sure, we're we heading exactly so?"

"Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado. I have to negotiate something with the United States."

"Alright, shall we go then?"

"Yeah, let's go, the sooner we're over with this, the better."

AICA greeted the King and wished him a Happy Birthday as she opened the cockpit. Mamoru climbed in, surprised to find a bottle of exclusive Cognac on the back, SunTzu's Birthday present to him.

"Thank you SunTzu. Too bad i have to be sober in Colorado."

"Mamoru, with all due respect. What's bothering you? What are we doing in the states?"

"You'll know soon enough. Although it's Top Secret and I'm not proud of it."

With that SunTzu let it be to ask more. It seemed the topic moved the King. Probably it was the reason he got wasted yesterday.

The took the short route through space, gave a greeting to the ESDF with a FlyBy and soon landed at Cheyenne Mountain Airforce Base.

SunTzu landed AICA at a Heliport and while hovering he could make out one of the Executive Marine Corps Helicopters used for transporting the President and other highest ranking officials of the United States.

"Yes, that actually is the Marine One." Mamoru said from the backseat, confirming that the President of the United States was on site.

"AICA, no scooping around this time." Just in case, she was getting curious again. If she got caught this time they were in more than trouble.

"Aye Sir!"

They were welcomed by an US Airforce Colonel and his adjutant waiting for them already at the landing spot.

The two men climbed out of AICA and after greeting and introduction followed the American into the secured base built deep into the mountain.

Since the President was present the usual high security measures had been even upped and swarms of soldiers and Secret Service Agents were patrolling in and outside.

After a short walk through various open airlocks and bunker doors they stopped in front of a meeting room.

"I'll be joining the meeting now. Could you please take my Adjutant to the mess and accommodate him?" King Endymion said before he entered the room.

SunTzu was brought into the officer's mess of the base and having a coffee there waited for the end of the meeting.

After the first hour he fell asleep and was woken up by the Adjutant of the Colonel.

The meeting was over and he was lead back to the door of the meeting room.

Mamoru was already waiting there.

They were lead outside, politely disbanded and got back into AICA.

Mamoru didn't tell a single word about the negotiations, the only thing he said to SunTzu was that they were good to go.

As AICA was crossing into space, SunTzu finally decided to break the silence.

"So, how did the negotiations go? Did it go to your favor?"

"Unfortunately… yes." Mamoru sighed.

"You know, I wish I didn't had to have this negotiations but unfortunately we need every bit of firepower we can get our hands on. And, since it all went how it should, the Crystal Kingdom will become a nuclear power now."

"Wait? With nuclear power do you mean…?"

"Yes, in exchange for the States getting their hands on a mean of interstellar travel we get several nuclear warheads for the Taskforce. Of course this is Top Secret and only a few people, not even most of the Senshi, know about it. And before the Japanese Authorities find out and go crazy they only will be stored on the Far Side and not on the base."

"I see. And I understand. I'm sorry you have to load this onto you."

SunTzu was rather shocked, they had weapon systems superior to any nation on earth plus the deterrence of the Selene in Orbit. But still Mamoru was right, they needed everything they could get their hands on in terms of firepower. But weapons of Mass Destruction were a border he thought they wouldn't cross.

"The president called his decision to sell us the warheads a birthday present, can you believe this? As if he wanted to mock me." Mamoru told absently.

They landed on one of the outdoor landing spots at the air base and got out.

"Got a cigarette for me?" Mamoru asked SunTzu after they got out of AICA.

"Sure. I could use one too."

The two men smoked in silence, their faces grim. This damn war really got the best of them.

Haruka appeared from the hangar the Voyager was standing in and came over.

"Happy Birthday your Highness."

Haruka and the King shook hands and Mamoru tried to smile politely but couldn't.

"What's wrong with the two of you?"

Mamoru closed his eyes for a moment.

"You have to promise me to keep your mouth shut about it."

"Promise. What's going on?" The blonde Senshi asked curiously.

SunTzu chimed in.

"Here take a cigarette too. Trust me, you'll need it."

Haruka frowned, what was wrong with these two?


SunTzu lighted up Haruka's cigarette and when the cigarette was burning Mamoru started to tell Haruka what he just had negotiated about.

Haruka's face took the same dark look on it as the one's of the men.

"I could use a drink to swallow down the bitterness of this. Too bad it's too early to drink still. Listen, I'll get back to the palace and tell my Queen."

That said he walked away.

"Fuck this. We only need nuclear weapons because there's too many wankers in the top of the GA that can't get their heads out their arses and wage this war like it should be waged." Haruka cursed out. "Can you imagine what will happen when someone gets to know about this? Bollocks, I pity Mamoru and Usagi."

To clear their heads the two pilots decided to go for a run.

Since it didn't really helped they decided to hit up the gym also, trying to stay to themselves. They didn't wanted to let the others know how far the Kingdom was willing to go nowadays and therefore didn't want to be seen in their current state. Good thing that Michiru stayed at home today, being busy with other things.

King Endymion didn't make a big fuzz out of his birthday and especially today he was glad, that there were no large official festivities set. Just a dinner for some officials.

Some years he would celebrate with his friends but this year he wasn't in a mood. Usagi and Chibiusa tried to cheer him up but the procurement of the nukes weighed him down.

Usagi felt the same, probably even more but she knew she wasn't the one that held the negotiations and therefore was responsible.

After Sport, a shower and dinner in the dinning hall Haruka and SunTzu decided to check on Mamoru again. The King also forgot his gift in AICA and they took it for him.

The two pilots went to the top of the Crystal Tower and Chibiusa opened the door after they knocked.

She didn't look too happy either.

"Hey Guys. I guess you're here for my dad?"

"Yeah. And I can tell from your face you know why your dad's upset Chibs." Haruka answered her.

"He shouldn't feel that bad on his birthday. Politics and War suck."

"Yeah. Yeah, they do. But let's see if we can build your dad."

"Good luck, Usagi and me failed so far. I'll be back in my room."

She let them in and went back for her room, Chibiusa sometimes was boisterous but she had a good heart and hated to see her beloved father like this.

Mamoru, still wearing his uniform but without the jacket and the tie loosened sat on the sofa, Usagi cuddling next to him. She did look distressed as well.

When she noticed Haruka and SunTzu walking up she got up and greeted both, talking to them in a low voice.

"Hey you two. I'm sorry but Mamo is not in a mood to celebrate as you know."

"We know. But he forgot his birthday gift in the Kraut's cockpit."

SunTzu held up the elaborate bottle.

"Oh." Usagi turned around. "Mamoru, you've got guests."

"Who is it?"

"Haruka and SunTzu."

"You forgot your gift your Mamoru."

Mamoru looked at his wrist watch and grimaced.

He got up and walked over to the others.

"You guys follow me." He said and motioned at them before he stopped shortly next to his wife and kissed her cheek.

"I'll be with them in my study."

Usagi tried her best at a smile.

"Alright. I'll be here if you need anything."

The young king lead the two pilots in his study, closed the door and sat down at his desk, motioning to the pilots to sit down also, on the other side of the table.

SunTzu put the bottle on the table and Mamoru fetched three brandy balloons and handed each of the pilots one before he opened the bottle and poured something in every glass. Everyone then took its glass and slew the amber liquid in the glass, so that it's aroma would come out better.

"To the fact that Crystal Tokyo is now a nuclear power."

Mamoru held up his glass and wanted to toast.

SunTzu and Haruka looked at each other.

"How about… To our King, the man that has so big balls that he takes the sole responsibility for leading a war including all it's madness ." Haruka told and SunTzu nodded.

"To our king, that gave home to a demon and even on his honored day just cares about how to make the galaxy a better place. Even if it means that he has to procure things he doesn't want to procure."

The two pilots clinged their glasses.

"To Mamoru." Both said and SunTzu followed with a "The best of all of us." to which Haruka agreed with a firm nod before they both took a sip from the exquisite French Cognac, the beverage spreading a pleasant warmth in their bodies.

Mamoru was speechless. Although he did something so condemnable these two fine persons still thought so highly of him. Even Haruka, who hadn't been the fondest with him sometimes.

"You know, I was thinking about the whole thing. Since i would be one of those to use these weapons should the need arise, I share some of the responsibility as well." SunTzu told Mamoru.

"I mean I don't like it either but let's be real for a moment. It's not that we're using them against states on earth or for a nuclear holocaust. We use them to defend this galaxy and to defeat an enemy that doesn't resile about Genocide."

"SunTzu is right, the enemy would use them against us without hesitation."

"I know, but we're still talking about weapons of mass destruction. The Japanese government will go ballistic."

"Ah, c'mon. As if they're had never been nukes stored on the islands. And it's not that the power of the Senshi could also be used for mass destruction." Haruka had a point, Hotaru could wipe out a planet and Usagi could destroy at least a whole stellar system. SunTzu only knew about the first one though.

"Guess your guys are right, but still. Having those means we will use them."

"Then let's work out a very restricted rule of engagement for them. And if anyone still has a problem even if we keep them on the Far Side, let's build a damn warehouse in space or on moon where we store them. I'm petty sure Ami took enough money from Diagus and Kengal for stuff like this."

"Hm…" Mamoru thought for a second. "I was already thinking about a very restricted use as well." He took out a pen and a paper and put it in front of him.

Then he pulled out his phone and called someone. The call was taken almost immediately.

"Artemis, I'm sorry to disturb you. Would you be able to come over to my quarters. We're working on something regarding our new… options here."

A few minutes later Artemis arrived at the Royal Quarters, together with Luna and Diana.

While his two girls sat down with Usagi, Artemis joined the other three in the study.

Two hours later the quartet left Mamoru's workroom and were surprised to find that additional to the Neo Queen, Chibiusa, Diana and Luna all the Senshi, Motoki and Reika were all assembled in living room.

As soon as Mamoru came into sight everybody yelled Happy Birthday and they got up to hug and congratulate him.

The king questioningly looked at SunTzu and Haruka but both held up their hands in a defensive pose, they were innocent.

"It was my idea to bring everyone over. I thought being around friends might make you feel a bit better." Usagi walked up to his side and linked in under his arm.

"Thank you Usako." He kissed her cheek.

She leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"Don't forget that you don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone."

He nodded gratefully. And he was grateful, the four of them worked out a strict rule set to when the nuclear weapons were allowed to use and made plans how to store them in space. And he was thankful that so many people believed in him and showed him that they understood his doings.

Everybody was swarming Mamoru now and talking loud so he had to use his hands to motion them to be more quiet so he could say something.

"My friends, thank you all for coming. It wasn't my day exactly but it got so much better now, after seeing all you guys gathering here for a mere person with flaws like me."

Makoto even had brought a birthday cake and so they sat together and tried to uplift Mamoru with a small celebration.

And while he still wasn't joyful he at least could take off his mind a bit which already made things easier for the regent.

Some time had passed after they had cut the cake and SunTzu was now sitting next to Rei on the sofa, her legs laid over his lap and the rest of the people was scattered through the apartment. Rei's new earrings and SunTzu's new wealth had been one of the hot topics of today and they were happy that the others gave them a moment of togetherness for their own, since the couple hadn't seen each other since the morning. Her day had been productive too and she was exhausted but there was a topic she wanted to talk about with SunTzu.

"Hey TopGun. I was thinking that we should take some time and research our soul connection, train our powers together and maybe even find out how I can become Cosmic Sailor Mars again. You're up for it?"

"Of course. But somehow we seem to never find the time for it. I guess we should do this somewhere where nobody could interfere. And not while on the way to a stellar battle."

"I was thinking the same, that's why I talked with Usagi. We're granted a few days of furlough. And I know the perfect idea to where we could go to to meditate and train unhindered."