It was almost noon on Coruscant and Rei was trying to kill time before she had to leave the apartment the Galactic Alliance had provided her and Hotaru with for a meeting in the rooms of the Galactic Senate in the afternoon.
She was sitting on a table at the kitchen counter, a steaming cup of caf, her third already today, in front of her, reading about the latest developments in the war.
SunTzu had called her yesterday night and told him they were okay and on board the Far Side now after they managed to hold the line.
Her communicator rang and she jolted upwards. The caller ID said it was SunTzu and she began to smile before she even picked up.
"Top Gun! How is my favorite madman? Where are you?"
"Space. Back to the next assignment. I'm doing well, how are you Babe?"
"I'm doing well but time goes slow here. Hotaru is at the academy and I'm waiting for my next appointment at the Senate."
Someone knocked on the door of the apartment and she turned to the door.
"Hold up, someone just knocked on the door, let me open it."
"Probably a admirer delivering flowers to earth's hottest diplomat."
Rei laughed as she walked up to the door.
"Don't tell me you sent me a hundred roses again."
She opened the door and SunTzu stood there, communicator in hand.
"No, nothing as fancy as that today."
Rei's jaw dropped for a second before she gained her composure again and she flinched around SunTzu's neck.
"What are you doing here?"
"The Taskforce is off to Brentaal so I asked Artemis to leave and catch up with them later."
Hearing that she started beaming and planted her lips onto his.
"That's awesome." Rei pressed out between kissing him.
Still kissing he stepped into the apartment and closed the door with his foot.
A few hours later and after even having lunch in bed, thanks to Pizza Hut now also being on Coruscant, they finally made it out of bed as Rei had to get ready for her meeting.
"I'll need a few hours over at the Senate. Why you don't visit Hotaru at the Academy? I'm sure she'd be happy about your visit."
Rei said as she did her makeup in a mirror in the bedroom as SunTzu was still lying in the white sheets of the queen size bed.
"That's actually not a bad idea. So I can check if they teach them right."
"TopGun, designated and lunatic Pilot Ace honoring the Starfighter Pilot Academy with his chivalrous presence. I hope this year will see any new Pilots after you visit them." Rei laughed so hard, that she had to stop putting make-up on for a moment.
"Ah, nothing better than flying thousands of light years to surprise my girlfriend and all I get is being mocked." SunTzu stated ironically.
Rei walked up to the bed and leaned over giving SunTzu a tender kiss.
"Poor guy, being treated so mean."
"Sometimes I think it's Stockholm Syndrome that keeps me around."
"Does that mean If i tie you to the bed and blindfold you, you'll love me even more?"
"Guess it's up to you to find out." He winked at her and she answered with a naughty smile.
"Sugoi, this means I know what we do tonight. But before that. Me and Hotaru found this Restaurant nearby we wanted to try out. Care to take out two black-haired at once tonight?"
"My mind is telling me to don't do that but my Stockholm Syndrome is urging me otherwise."
"Great, I reserve a table for us."
She kissed him again and then left, while SunTzu's gaze followed her.
God, she was so sexy in a black buisness outfit with red high heels on and matching lipstick and nails. Sometimes he still couldn't understand how he managed to get such a magnificent girlfriend.
He closed his eyes and closed his fist in a gesture of triumph.
It's great to be me!
After Rei left SunTzu got ready and took AICA, who was parked at a landing spot on the roof of the building and flew over to the Coruscant Starfighter Corps Academy, one of the leading places for educating future Starfighter Pilots in the Galaxy.
The academy had a landing spot for Starfighters as well hangars for training squadrons.
SunTzu let AICA register their coming and it was promptly approved. The talking A-Wing was the talk of the Starfighter Corps, so having it's Pilot coming for a visit was something very special for the school.
I wonder if they would've approved me without being AICA's Pilot.
He landed at the base and the second-in-command, a Lieutenant Commander welcomed him.
The officer showed him around and after seeing the interesting places of the institution SunTzu asked if he could visit this year's class, where Hotaru was teached while she was on Coruscant.
The deputy principal walked him to the door and knocked before stepping in.
A Major, a Veteran of the Swarm Wars, was holding a lesson, the topic was dogfighting.
The Lieutenant Colonel excused himself and told the class that they had a visitor before he motioned SunTzu to step inside.
He got introduced and in the last row, sitting alone in her black Starfighter Corps Uniform was Hotaru, a few seats between her and the other pilots. When she saw SunTzu even the disciplined and grown-up Hotaru had problems keeping herself calm, she was too happy seeing her trainer.
The instructor welcomed SunTzu and asked if the Ace would talk a bit about dogfighting and flying with the class.
SunTzu was honored to be asked for this and began to talk about his rather short but eventful flying career.
He was asked what he thought was the most important for training to become a pilot.
"Well, I have three fundamentals for my protégé. Recruit Meiou would you please be so kind and repeat them for the class.
Hotaru stood up and straightened.
"With pleasure Lieutenant. First Safety. Second Consistency. Third Heart."
"Very good Recruit, the kind of professionalism I'm used from you. You may sit down again."
The class began to murmur, the quiet and inaccessibly Exchange Student was trained by this War Hero?
SunTzu then began to explain his three fundamentals to the class.
After the lesson ended practical training was next and SunTzu managed to convince the Trainer, the General leading the Academy, to let Hotaru fly AICA this afternoon.
Hotaru excelled at flying anyways but this training session she broke the school record for the fastest win in a simulated dogfight.
That's my girl.
The General complimented both Hotaru's flying and AICA's high technology before SunTzu told his gratitude for being allowed to visit and speak and said his goodbyes.
He and Hotaru took AICA back to the building the girls' apartment was located in.
When both of them were out of the cockpit the young Senshi surprised SunTzu with a hug.
"That was so cool when you showed up in class. Those posers were going crazy after seeing a real Ace."
"Talking about Class, why you were sitting alone?"
"Oh. It's pretty much chosen by myself. My first lesson one of these upperclass wannabe fighter pilot fuckboys approached me and tried to hit on me. I told him to grow a pair first or fuck off and suck some Gamorrean cock. Well, Fuckboy got angry and I had to dislocate his shoulder to calm him down. After that they were all a bit afraid of me."
SunTzu nodded, thinking about what to say.
"Well, I probably should tell you off, but to be honest, and please don't let your mom know, two things. First, great job. If he acts up like that he can't handle you anyway. And second, are you in trouble?"
She looked at him in surprise as she was expecting a scolding.
"Thank you, I'm glad you understand. I'm not in trouble, the recruit apparently was too ashamed to be put down by a girl like this that he told he had an accident while doing sport."
"Good to hear. And now let's go and get ready. Your Onee-Chan will probably be hungry when she gets back from the senate."
They were ready when Rei finally arrived at their temporary home.
Soon after they were in the neighboring restaurant that the girls wanted to hit up.
It served Coruscanti Cuisine which meant a fusion of cooking and tastes from all over the galaxy. The food was very exotic but also very, very tasty. Rei had a rare species of fish, originally from Naboo, and the way how it was seasoned it made almost the same sensation in one's mouth as Fugu. She loved it.
After dinner they took a walk in a also neighboring park with peregrine but magnificent looking bright colored plants, a large aesthetically ornated fountain and artistically sculptures.
Although SunTzu expected Hotaru to be rather bored she really seemed to enjoy the time with him and her fellow Senshi.
It was already dark night when they finally, after having a sorbet like dessert in a cafe, arrived at their apartment again.
Hotaru soon left for her room, as she was tired after a long day today, and Rei and SunTzu soon retired to their room as well.
Hours later, it was early morning now, SunTzu had put on his Pilot Suit again and packed his bag as silently as he could. He already had handwritten a message to Rei and laid it on her nightstand.
It wasn't easy at all for him to leave but he was needed out there. Artemis had been really forthcoming with accepting his absence but he had to get in Brentaal in time. And he really was late.
As he was done he took a moment to observe Rei in her sleep, the peaceful look on her face, the steady up and down of her chest while breathing calmly. He wished he could kiss her goodbye but she needed her sleep, tomorrow was another long day for the designated Senator. He swallowed a sigh and without making a sound he left the room.
He was almost out of the apartment's door when he felt the presence of the second most important raven-haired woman in his life in the shadows behind him.
He stopped.
"Leaving already?" The teenager asked him, her volume low.
SunTzu turned around to see her finding in a black Pyjama.
"Unfortunately War isn't waiting for our relationship."
"I see. Boy, you guys sure can be loud."
SunTzu hoped that the dark covered his blushing, they actually had tried to keep it quiet.
"You take care. And keep doing you." He said, deciding to not give in to her comment.
"I'll do. You take care out there as well."
"Of course. I'll see you two soon. Goodbye Hotaru."
"Goodbye SunTzu."
He left the apartment as she sneaked back into her room and went back to sleep as SunTzu went to the top of the building and boarded AICA.
Within a minute he was racing towards space.
"The Taskforce is almost at Brentaal, I don't think we can make it in time." AICA informed him as they took course to the jump point.
"Hold on let me try something." SunTzu told her and concentrated, opening himself in the Force.
With closed eyes he typed something into the nav computer.
"That's an unchartered Hyperlane. It's dangerous to go this way. I highly recommend to not use it."
"We take this one, trust me on this one AICA. And for real, what's up with you? Since, when you don't take risks anymore?"
"Geez, if you say so, we're off to Hyperspace, OR our certain death, in 5 seconds.
Rei woke up and immediately noticed that she was alone in bed, the place beside her being empty.
She looked around the room and saw that her boyfriend's luggage was gone also.
The Diplomat sighed as she sat up but then noticed the note on her nightstand.
She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and leaned over to read what stood there.
I'm sorry, I had to leave for the next mission. Wish I could have spent more time with you. Since I know you girls have some free time today I left something for you two (under this note), please spent it how you want.
I love you,
SunTzu
Rei pressed her lips together, this fucking war, and then looked under the note.
Her eyes widened as she saw what he left. There lay a few credit chips worth 30.000 Galactic Credits under the note.
She began to hysterically laugh.
"Hotaru! Come here!"
SunTzu and AICA pretty sure established a new record in flying time to Brentaal as they fell out of Hyperspace just seconds before the Rest of the Taskforce followed from the regular Hyperlane.
"Lieutenant?! How did you manage to do that. You were just a few hours ahead of us without the detour." A dumbfounded Stinger Jordan, the Taskforce's Flight Commander came in.
"I hurried." SunTzu stated nonchalant.
AICA landed in the Far Side's Hangar and after handing her over to the Chief Mechanic Karlena, he went up to the bridge structure and into the command center near the main bridge.
Artemis and First Officer Santos were standing at the map table in the middle, looking over the projection of an enlargement of the map's galaxy depicting a path from Brentaal to a core world planet bordering the southern deep core.
The two Fleet Officers noticed SunTzu walking up and turned around.
"SunTzu, I heard you were so punctual that Commander Jordan started gasping. Did you actually have been to Coruscant at all?"
"Yes, I even was at the academy and visited Recruit Meiou."
Artemis nodded acknowledging.
"Very well then. Any desire to know what we're tasked with next? Me and the XO were just doing the planning. And I wouldn't mind to have the input of a starfighter jockey."
"Of course, what we're up to next Admiral?"
"We're doing something I've been doing way to often already. We're going babysitting."
"Sir?" SunTzu asked him with a questioning look on his face.
"Fleet Command wants us to escort a convoy bringing in a reserve corps of ground troops and supplies from here to Hemei V on the southwestern part of the Core Worlds. We're jumping to Ixtlar from here and then take Corellian Run down."
"I would have to check it but wouldn't it make more sense to go back to Coruscant and use the major Hyperlanes completely?"
"We checked that, it's the same, plus we cross less places without being in Hyperspace. OPSEC is crucial this time, every pirate in this galaxy seems to be out to start a fight with the Fleet or RASP lately. Coincidence? I think not. Anyways, the more time we spent in Hyperspace the better. We do have stops along the way to replenish Patrol fleets. This is where we are most likely to get ambushed. Ami will brief everyone later but it seems that the spacefaring scum of the galaxy is all about unity now just to be able to attack the Galactic Alliance."
Terrific! Hours of boredom interrupted by moments of terror. Pretty much sums up War in it's entirety.
A few hours later the convoy, made up out of fourty tenders, hospital ships, freighters of all shapes and sizes and tankers lined up in the space around Brentaal IV where the Far Side lined up as first ship while the Nomad's Luck and the Starstruck took the last places of the Convoy, the Companion was located in the middle of the line of ships.
A lot of the ships had at least defensive weaponry and some of the ships, like Star Galeons or Pelta-Medical-Frigates were even quite well armed.
The Voyager and AICA were going back and forth around the several kilometer long convoy as it began to move to the hyperspace jump point, making sure that every ship was in line and it's contemplated place.
"Man, i feel like a cowboy keeping his herd in check."
"Mate, you spent too much time with Colt. Dammit, I hope this assignment will be over soon. This will be even worse than scouting, I'm betting on it."
"I'm in. I know our luck. Probably we'll just jump upon a freighter hating Death Star or something."
"Deal, Loser pays drinks?"
"Loser pays drinks."
"As if you two wouldn't get wasted anyway." Michiru chimed in from her backfacing seat.
Admiral Artemis, who had changed his Callsign to Rubberduck for the Assignment, gave the order after it was made sure every ship was where it was supposed to be and they jumped to Ixtlar.
At Ixtlar everything was, as expected, quiet and the ships immediately jumped on to Sarapin.
The Sarapin System, a main energy provider for the Galactic Alliance, had been attacked out from the core but the attack had fortunately been repelled.
The remaining ships in the system needed Ammo and Resupplying now and the battles left huge numbers of wounded behind and the medical facilities onboard the ships above the main planet, a volcanic world, couldn't handle them all.
After a few hours and the departure of two of the medical Frigates back to Brentaal the convoy jumped on. The Starfighters of the Taskforce were now on board the Far Side again. Next stop in a few hours would be Lolnar , amother planet on the Corellian Run.
A patrolling fleet was desperately waiting for fuel and resupply there before the Convoy would jump on Sedratis, where a RASP-Flotilla was waiting for supplies.
Almost one day later they were ready to leave Sedratis for Duro. Replenishment at the two stops had taken longer and on top both times it took hours to get the ships back in formation for the jump.
Haruka was going ballistic when they were ordered to help bring the ships in line.
"Oi, the fook am I? A nerf herder? These wankers of spacers ain't able to bring they ships in line?"
SunTzu took it more sportive and got on the job with a Cowboy attitude.
While they were observing a bulk Freighter and a tanker trade places in the formation, that for organizational and security reasons were to be kept, Rei called him up over AICA's holo net communicator. She was in her room and used the projector.
It made his heart melt when he saw Rei begin to beam when she saw him.
"Hey, where you at?"
"Good evening, Beautiful. We're on the Corellian Run, still playing Cowboy to keep these ships in line. How's things?"
"Pretty good, me and Hotaru will have dinner with the Senator of Chandrila and Kuat."
"Tell Hotaru that even if the Kuati offer her her own TIE to not get too close to them." SunTzu joked. "But it's great to hear that we have some contacts out there. This is mostly your work. You can be proud of yourself."
Rei almost blushed but that wasn't visible on the holo projection.
A voice came in over the radio, and began to sound in the cockpit.
"Rubber Duck to all Taskforce Starfighters, can we move on yet?"
"We're working on it Admiral. Maybe next time we get ships with more competent crews." Haruka answered.
"Rubber Duck? Why does Artemis calls himself that now?" Rei asked SunTzu.
"Long Story. Guess I should get back before Haruka starts launching missiles at the freighters we're supposed to defend."
"Yeah, I guess. Talk to you later."
"Hope so. Have a nice evening and greet Hotaru from me."
"Will do, take care out there and good luck with your herd Cowboy. And don't forget."
"Never. You don't forget either. Bye Rei."
SunTzu ended the connection and swung AICA around to get a better look at how things were going with the ships aligning.
Half an hour later the ships were finally formed as they should be and SunTzu was humming in his cockpit to music AICA played.
"SunTzu to Rubber Duck, the herd is ready to run."
"Copy, transmitting jump calculations to Duro to the convoy. About time."
It didn't took long until they arrived at Duro but they were completely out of schedule so after a rather unfriendly but motivating adress from Artemis the ships almost jumped on immediately to their second last stop, the Karvoss System in the Parmorak Sector. Another RASP-Flotilla was strengthening the small local militia there and needed supplies as well.
Since they didn't use a major Hyperlane the jump took a few hours and so the Starfighter pilots had some time for getting some sleep and rest in.
A few minutes before they'd fell out of Hyperspace SunTzu, Michiru and Haruka were back in their cockpits again.
"Last stop. Get ready to pay my tab Jerry. I hope you didn't spent all on Rei coz I'm a get so pissed."
"You know what Haruka? If we deliver this convoy without enemy contact for once, I'm gladly willing to financially support your alcoholic problem."
"Magnificent. I hope they stocked Brandy on Brentaal."
Suddenly the ship fell into real space, a few moments before it should have.
Me and my big mouth…
"AICA, what's happening?"
"We got pulled out of hyperspace a few light minutes before the system. Sensors are still coming up."
"Awesome. Next time, I'll keep my fucking mouth shut." SunTzu stated and switched energy to the shields and weapons.
"Fuck! Just because you had to jinx it! Alright, start!" Haruka ordered and lifted the Voyager off.
The two Starfighters rushed off out of the still not completely opened hangar.
As soon as they were out a Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer, basically a Imperial-Class Star Destroyer with Gravity Well Generators came into sight.
That explained how they fell out of Hyperspace before their target.
Although the Interdictor-Class had less weapons than a regular Imperial-Class it still was a huge threat to the whole Convoy.
On the bridge of the Far Side Artemis was giving out orders.
"Shields up, tell Terra Squadron to take off!"
"Galactic Alliance Ships, this is Grand Captain Shmofa of the Old Guard of the Galactic Empire, Warlord of the Southern Deep Core. Surrender and your lives might be spared."
Grand Captain Shmofa, former Lieutant Shmofa, Radar Lieutant at his old ship, a self declared Ex-Imperial and Warlord, that somehow held out in the deep core while the galaxy around him had changed a lot after the Imperial Mutiny.
"What the bloody Hell is a Grand Captain?" Haruka mocked the Former Imperial before anyone could respond.
"Oi, Admiral, we're on it!" She reported to the bridge of the Far Side.
"AICA, let me know if their's any weak points on this SD."
"Affirmative. I don't even need to check but the Shield's on older Generation Interdictors are usually very weak while the gravity well projectors are up."
"For real? Sent this over to the Far Side immediately. Haruka?"
"I heard it, let's hit him with a bunch of EMPs."
The two advanced Starfighters blasted towards the enemy Star Destroyer.
"I got fighters embarking. At least a Squadron of Ties and Interceptors." AICA reported.
"I'll take care of the Fighters, you'll get the EMP-Torpedoes on the Interdictor." SunTzu said and accelerated.
"Wait, that's too dangerous." Michiru came in.
"Ah, It isn't. Just don't tell Rei." SunTzu replied as AICA shot towards the incoming fighters.
SunTzu steered AICA right through the cloud of TIEs and AICA thinned it out with two multi-lock-missiles while SunTzu let the lasers speak. In a few seconds eight from twenty four fighters were missing and the Imperial Pilots angrily turned about to follow the obstreperous A-Wing, clearing the path for the Voyager.
While SunTzu diverted the fighters away from the Star Destroyer, raking him with green laser fire that mostly didn't even come near him, Haruka brought the Voyager into range for the electromagnetic pulse torpedoes and Michiru launched two.
"Bonjour Grand Captain, greetings from earth!" She commented and Haruka veered away.
SunTzu or rather shot down two Tie-Interceptors that came to near and were surprised by the modified A-Wings rotatable lasers.
Fortunately for the whole Convoy the two Torpedoes fired at the Interdictor-Class, which was already shooting at the Far Side, were already enough to knock down it's shields and as soon as Artemis got the report that the larger ships shields were down he ordered a full volley of everything the Far Side had.
A dozen dual turbolaser turrets and ten warhead launchers at once spew light and missiles at larger ship's belly.
The three Corvettes came forward as well and began to shoot everything they had at the Star Destroyer.
Even some ships of the convoy began to shoot at the mile long vessel.
Grand Captain Shmofa didn't care much about his shields being gone. How could a few small ships stand any chance against his superior Star Destroyer anyway?
Terra Squadron attacked the Star Destroyer from above and Odegana and her Headhunters pounced directly onto the bridge, all six Z-95 shooting two concussion missiles. Haruka joined them and also let loose of two concussion missiles.
The First Officer of the Interdictor Star Destroyer tried to still warn the Grand Captain but it was already too late.
A volley of missiles hit the Star Destroyer's bridge and shattered the Transparisteel of the bridge's viewport.
The explosion killed most of the crew inside the bridge but the Grand Captain somehow survived the detonation, only to be sucked out into the vacuum over the huge hole in the bridge tower. Within seconds he was dead and gliding through the vacuum.
The Interdictor-Class wasn't defeated yet but with the vaccuum of control after the loss of the bridge crew the Far Side could relatively unharmed steer almost completely under the Interdictor and aim all her warhead launchers onto the life sustainment systems of the Interdictor.
The volley blew through the armor and the systems and while the Far Side accelerated off, the gravity and oxygen producing systems as well as others responsible for important functions on the huge war ship collapsed and crewers and equipment began to float.
Other ships of the convoy came closer and while the Far Side came out under the backside of the Star Destroyer she turned about and began to fire again.
"Guys, great work with the SD but could someone help me with the guys behind me?" SunTzu came in.
"Don't be such a drama queen. It's not like they would actually be a threat to you." Haruka replied while she shot another pair of missiles at the Star Destroyer and then turned towards the fourteen Ties following AICA and SunTzu, Terra Squadron forming also up next to her.
In a matter of minutes it was over.
The crew of the Interdictor somehow managed to sent their surrender but the damage on the badly maintained ship was too much and it broke apart.
The Tie Fighters were shot down pretty quick after SunTzu received some back up and could offensively act again. Not that it was mostly Terra and Haruka who shot down the rest of the Ties.
One of the Hospital ships and the Companion, accompanied by one of the Lambda-Shuttles, stayed at the battle side looking for any survivors while the rest of the convoy aligned again.
"Well Haruka, guess I'm getting smashed tonight. Thanks for paying."
"And I just saved your ass you ungrateful Kraut!"
"Bet is bet my friend. I'd have paid my debt if you'd won."
"Actually, I wouldn't mind a drink either." Michiru came in. "You invite me as well Darling, don't you?"
Haruka sighed loud into the radio.
"Fine! I'll be broke after this."
Soon after they arrived the deployment of Troops at Hemei IV, a wealthy industrial planet.
While the freighters, tankers and other ships went for unloading and replenishing vessels the Taskforce got ready to leave the system again.
The three pilots were looking forward to their nice cold after battle drink.
Fortunately for Haruka the drinks got delayed. Artemis came in, because the vessels deployed were to stay put the Taskforce was tasked to bring the convoy back to Brentaal again.
Money saved or not, Haruka started cursing, another few days wasted with an escort mission.
The next day SunTzu was scouting around the convoy in advance at their jump point at Lolnar, humming to music again, when Rei called again, he decelerated to not miss anything on patrol while being on the holo again.
"If that isn't the most beautiful girl in the universe. Hey Babe."
She smiled and waved on the projector.
"Hi, where are you?"
SunTzu looked out the side of the cockpit.
"Space. Can't tell you where exactly, it's pretty dark around here."
She laughed and shook her head.
"Baka. But I guess this means your good."
"Yeah, we just had some minor trouble right before our final destination but other than that we're good."
"Glad to hear. When will you be back? I guess she already called Ami but Ada wants to talk with the three of us."
"Did she say why?"
"No, you know how these Intelligence Agents are."
SunTzu smiled.
"All too well. Let's see, I guess we still need half a day back to Brentaal IV. If these ships in the convoy get their shit together. But as soon as I can I'll come over. Cool?"
"Cool. I miss you like crazy."
"Awww, I do miss you too."
"Okay, gotta go. Hotaru just came home. These girls need some food now. I'll tell her hi."
"Yes, please. Have a good evening. Ai shiteru yo."
"Watashi mo itoshite iru yo. Take care."
They cut their connection and SunTzu accelerated AICA again.
