It was early afternoon when SunTzu woke up. Rei had been awake for some time and was on the room's sofa with the two Koronians, now in human form, both resting their heads on her lap and she fondly petted their heads while the Koronians enjoyed the treatment with closed eyes.

"Hey Sleepyhead, you're finally up." She greeted SunTzu with a smile.

"Phobos and Deimos told me how good you treated them yesterday. Thank you."

"No need to. They're incredible fighters. Listen I'm gonna get ready and check in with AICA ."

"Of course, before even giving me a good morning kiss he already talks about his artificial concubine."

Rei told with a sad voice and SunTzu froze.

"Don't worry, I'm just messing with you. You never been so long without her, I understand. Give her my regards."

She beamed a wide smile at him.

"But I have to admit something disturbs me." SunTzu frowned.

"What's the matter? What did I do wrong now?"

"Deimos and Phobos told me roughly what you did yesterday. I get the crime busting and safety point but is it really necessary that you do this stuff? Regarding your safety. And the fact that you run around and kill people in cold blood like it's nothing? I cannot say I support this."

SunTzu shrugged his shoulders.

"What's done is done. It's not that it was good people or that they didn't try to kill us. And I had my reasons."

"Reasons? You gave Tokyo one of the bloodiest nights in it's existence."

"I had my reasons."

I did this for your safety. Every dead bad guy is a step more into a peaceful galaxy. But if I'd tell you this you would get mad because some ethical believes, but that's not how the nature of war behaves my Love.

"Fine. I'm not gonna press it. I told you I don't think it's cool."

"Good, then don't press it. I'm in the shower."

SunTzu was glad that she let the topic slip, he didn't want to fight.

But of course she still was mad, although when asked she said no.

For their standards they had a pretty cold goodbye as SunTzu left for the air base and Rei, together with the two koronian women, left for the Hikawa Shrine.


After a long debriefing, small meal and a light sport exercise to stretch out his muscles SunTzu hit up AICA's hangar. It was already dark again. Rei didn't sent any text yet nor did she answer of a message he sent to test out the waters. He sighed after looking at his phone again before he entered the hangar.

AICA just had been cleaned and maintenanced

The Artifcial Intelligence was rather flirty with some of her ground crew members which along with her regular easy going demeanor and Karlena having a strict but excellent regiment lead to her being one of the best and fastest serviced starfighters of probably the whole Galactic Alliance.

"SunTzu. How lucky I am you finally find time in your schedule to visit your old and first friend AICA."

"I'm sorry Darling, I was busy." He walked up to her and begin to pet her frame.

"Yeah, of course. You always are."

"I missed you."

"Awww, you know whenever I try to stay mad at you, you make my emotional module melt."

He smiled.

"Did they treat you right in Coruscant."

"I had to be a bit overly friendly at first but they did treat this lady well. Hotaru made sure about that as well. But of course nothing beats home and Karlena and the boys."

"I'm glad you're back."

"And my sensors tell me, you seem to be off today."

SunTzu closed his eyes and pressed out a wry smile.

"Trouble with Rei?"

"Not exactly. Well, maybe. I don't know. Sometimes our believes differ."

"I'm sorry to hear this. Would a little ride over Tokyo cheer you up?"

AICA opened her canopy.

AICA always knows how to cheer me up.

"You still know how to fly?"

"Why don't we find out?"

SunTzu strapped in and checked the systems shortly.

God, how much I missed being in here.

His lips curled up as he made AICA shoot out the hangar and climb up in a steep climb at the end of the small air strip.

After a small but fast flown round over Tokyo Bay, performing lots of aerial maneuvers SunTzu cruised slowly through the night over the brightly lighted up Metropolitan Area of Tokyo.

Within five minutes he had won AICA back. Hotaru was an excellent pilot but nobody flew AICA like he did.

"Hey SunTzu. Just a small headsup. It's eight million credits on the side now and five invested. Bit by bit we're getting there."

"Thank you AICA, keep it up." SunTzu petted her console.

If everything went as it should she would officially be his soon. And he couldn't wait.

This news improved his mood but thinking about how he and Rei went away from each other today still weighted him down.

"Hey AICA, can you call Rei for me?"

"Only if you promise me to not make it worse. I would be devastated if you guys start fighting."

"Not trying to make it worse but I have to make things right."

AICA called up Rei, it took some time before she took the call.

"Yes?"

"Hey Rei."

"Hey. Is it important? I'm still quite busy over here. I have to make the books for the shrine, apart from doing my regular Work. Yomi, even my father calls me and asks me out if Crystal Tokyo was somehow involved In yesterday night's incidents."

"It is. And I'm sorry you have to lie to your own father. Anyways, I can't stand this strange distance between us."

Rei sighed.

"Me neither. But I don't think it's right you do things like you did yesterday and just treat it like it's nothing unusual. I mean I fight and kill people too but not in cold blood and act like it's nothing. I worry for your soul."

"First of all. Thank you. I appreciate that you worry about me. I don't like this kind of jobs either. I'm a force sensitive after all and i don't want to fall to the dark side and do things I should regret."

"You're damn right about that. And I'm a bit pissed that I'm the only one actually caring about this."

"Listen, I'm totally aware of that and I do take care about this, very well if you ask me. But some things need to be done. And let's not act like I killed innocent people."

They both shared a moment of silence.

"Okay, Rei listen. I know what I did won't let me win a Nobel Peace Price but I want to make things between us right again."

"Me too. You're in AICA right now, right?"

"I am."

"I knew it. I heard you over the city. Care to give me a good night kiss at the steps of the shrine? But you have to be quiet. Old Man Hino is still up."

"Oh, don't worry. Me and AICA will sneak in like a tiger stalking his prey."

A few minutes later AICA dropped him off near the parking lot of the shrine and walked the rest.

Rei just came down the stairs as he arrived.

She apparently tried to keep a neutral face but she finally had to give in and smile at him like he was smiling at her.

He walked up to her and immediately embraced her.

She took a moment to reciprocate the hug.

"Baka. I wanted to still be angry with you but somehow I can't. If things stay like this I'll have to turn in my Tsundere Card."

"That would be horrible. Not even Haruka can mock me like you can, my heart would break."

She began to smile, her head still at his chest.

"Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for letting me come. I love you, never forget that."

"And I love you."

The couple shared a tender kiss.

A few minutes of embracing Rei told SunTzu that she had to leave again if she wanted to finish tonight.

"I'll see you at the palace tomorrow."

"Looking forward to it. And I wouldn't mind if you write back to my messages again."

"Hm, I'll think about it. Maybe when I'm bored." She mocked him with a smile.

They shared another long kiss and Rei left, while SunTzu told AICA over his chrono to pick him up again.


The next morning he was at the base early and put in some extra time into exercising.

It was nine and he had been at the base for three hours already when he was standing outside the dinning hall and was waiting for Rei.

The diplomat showed up late in a business attire and seemed to be hounded.

She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Sorry TopGun. I had to check in with my office first. I hope you didn't had to wait too long."

"It's cool. I'm glad to see you Rei."

She smiled and pulled a strand of hair out of her face, that fell into it while she rushed to her breakfast date with her boyfriend.

They were in midst of eating and planing the next few days.

"In two days is the Azabu-juban Noryo Matsuri, the summer festival. You'll love it."

"Sounds great."

"It is. But you'll have to wear a Yukata. Everybody does."

SunTzu smiled, he loved Rei in traditional clothing.

"Oi Lovebirds, care if we join you on your table?"

"Good Morning Haruka, hi Michiru. Please help yourself."

The couple sat down with their trays.

"Sorry to bust in, but I just wanted to let you know Artemis is expecting us. After breakfast."

SunTzu and Rei glanced at each other, what was it now again?

SunTzu kissed Rei goodbye after they all had finished their breakfast and went to the Military Wing of the Palace and up to Artemis Office.

Haruka knocked on the door and Artemis told to come in.

They stepped inside, straightened up next to each other and saluted.

"You wanted to talk with us?" Haruka asked the Admiral.

"Yes. Thank you all for coming. As you know parts of the Alliance's fleet are still holding up against enemy attacks, as is General Antilles with the Second Fleet. Since the Fourth is emplaced in strictly defensive positions, the fourth is the offensive element along the Corellian Run. And he's asking for any starfighter reinforcements he can get, looks like the Enemy is employing hundreds of Drone Fighters again and these deny the Capital Ships the chance to assault."

"Who's coming along?"

"It's just you three, the rest of the Taskforce is still scheduled as Quick Reaction Force for the Fourth Fleet and therefore has to stay around the First Fleets Area of Responsibility."

"I see." Haruka looked over to Michiru and then SunTzu and both nodded.

"You have three and a half hours before you leave. Flight Control will give you the current location of the Mon Mothma, the Admiral's Flag Ship. Good hunting."

The Admiral saluted and the three Pilots reciprocated the greeting.

SunTzu tried to call Rei but she had her phone shut off as she was in a meeting.

He was a bit upset that he already had to leave again, as he wanted to get some quality time with her in after their dissent yesterday.

SunTzu pulled out his phone again, he had an idea to break it to her gently.

Half an hour later SunTzu collected an order from the Main Palace Gate before he walked to the Office of Diplomatic Service in the huge Administrative Wing of the Palace.

He went to the front desk of the Office and told the front desk officer, a young Japanese woman, that already knew SunTzu, that he wanted to visit Diplomat Hino.

"Ah Lieutenant. The Head of mission is in her office. She's quite busy today and just finished a meeting but I'll announce your visit."

The woman called Rei up.

"Excuse me Senpai, Lieutenant SunTzu is here for you. Yes, I tell him."

The young office clerk put down the receiver again.

"She tells you to come into her office. But she doesn't have much time."

SunTzu, being watched with a smile and and a hint of jealousy that her boyfriend wasn't that attentive by the young clerk, walked down to the last room in the office and knocked on the door.

"Come in please."

The opened the door and stepped inside, hiding the gift behind his back with one hand.

Rei was sitting on her desk, tons of folders and documents in front of her. Her blazer was hung up on the back of her chair and she sat there in a white blouse.

"Top Gun. What a nice surprise." She looked up at him. "What's that behind your back?"

SunTzu closed his eyes shortly and sighed before he pulled out the bouquet of flowers, red roses, white lilies and purple hydrangeas, and presented it to Rei.

"I'm sorry Babe, but I was ordered off planet today."

"I was expecting something like that, when Artemis wanted to talk to you guys. Why I was thinking that after Italy we would have the chance to spend more time together."

She got up walked around the table and he gave her the beautiful bouquet and she smiled at them before she sighed and forced a smile.

"That's a magnificent bouquet. Thank you."

Rei said and with bouquet in hand put her left hand on his cheek and leaned in to kiss him.

"When you will be back? Can you make it to the festival?"

"I don't have any idea, we're reinforcing the Second Fleet in an offensive operation. Just us three, the rest of the Taskforce stays here."

"I see. Too bad."

Rei looked to the ground for a moment before she looked back into his face.

"When are you leaving?"

"In two and a half hours already."

Rei nodded slowly, this was getting better and better.

"You know what. Fuck it. Follow me."

She took the flowers and walked out the room and towards the central counter.

"Izumi-Chan, I'll be out of the office for an hour, important business I have to take care of. Can you do me a favor and put these in a vase and into my office."

"Of course, Hino-Sama."

"Thank you."

Rei nodded and then motioned SunTzu to follow her outside with a motion of her head.

"Where are we going, Rei?" SunTzu asked when he followed Rei outside the building and onto the Palace's inner court.

She glanced back with a hint of a smile and a wink.

"To my room. You thought I really let you leave without a proper goodbye?"

Almost an hour later the couple was lying on her bed, enjoying the closeness of each other.

"I'll try to back in time for the Summer Festival." SunTzu said as he played with a strand of her hair, Rei was lying on his chest.

"I hope you can manage it. Usagi would be devastated if you and the girls would be missing. It's one of her highlights every year."

Rei pulled her arms around him and pressed herself as firm as she could around him.

"One day it will all be over and then we'll never be apart again."

SunTzu looked down at her and began to caress her head.

"I can't wait."


Within the next hour the Pilot and his two Senshi Wingmen took off and headed towards space.

Around eight hours later they dropped out of Hyperspace near the planet of Rehemsa.

Two Star Destroyers and some smaller ships were formed up as a flotilla a bit afar from the planet and what seemed to be the fleet defending it.

"Come in Mon Mothma, this is Captain Haruka Tenoh. You guys were waiting for Starfighter Reinforcements and here we are."

"Copy Captain. Under other circumstances I'd mock you because you're just two snubs but your reputation precedes that. The General is waiting for you, landing permission for the central hangar is granted." A Lieutenant on the bridge of the Mon Mothma answered and the snubs came in to land on the advanced Star Destroyer.

Haruka and SunTzu landed their Starfighters on board the Second Fleet's flagship, the Mon Mothma. Named after the famous Rebellion and New Republic Leader, had been General Wedge Antilles's, the legendary Pilot, Flagship since the Yuuzhan Vong War and it's crew was considered one of the best in the whole Fleet.

An Adjutant of the General welcomed them on board, the General was waiting for them in the Situation room near the bridge.

Meanwhile AICA introduced herself to a dumbfounded Ground Crew.

The adjutant let them up the bridge structure and into the situation room. Inside overlooking a map of a system on a holo projector were Four Star General Wedge Antilles, Captain Raech, the Captain of the Mon Mothma and three Starfighter Pilots, giving their ranking insignias probably the Ship's squadron Commanders.

The officers looked up from the map when the adjutant knocked on the door and announced the Earthlings.

The three pilots came in, got in a row and saluted.

"Ah, a pleasure to finally meet the three pilots that have been making such a fuzz in the Fleet lately. Stand easy."

General Antilles walked over to the trio and shook the hand of each of them.

"You've came here even earlier than I expected. You guys sure are on the ball."

"Thank you Sir. I speak for all three of us when I say It's an honor to meet the legendary General Antilles." Haruka told the living legend.

"I hope we all can life up to the legends that are told about us then." The elder Officer said with a grin before he began to introduce the other people in the room.

After that the General got down to buisness.

"What you see here is the Lettow System, bordering the core. A few days ago it was overrun from enemy forces coming from the core, mostly CIS-Ships and snubs but also an Ex-Imperial Ton-Falk Carrier. A few Munificents and a Lucrehulk. Nothing we couldn't handle in terms of capital ships but there are hundreds of Droid Fighters out there and the Agave that we sent in for recon was immediately attacked by suicide running Vultures and barely made it back to Hyperspace. We also assume that there are sentient pilots from the Escort Carrier, probably as escort for the Vultures to act as flying bombs. Plan is to get in with the snubs first and neutralize the droids before the capital ships arrive and take care of the enemy fleet." Wedge told the present officers.

The pilots nodded and took another look at the map.

"We are still waiting for another squadron to supplement the Elegos A'Kla, our sister ship before we take off. She has lost of her fighters in the last battle. The enemy made sure to especially attack our fighters and corvettes."

"And then he feeds up with weapons you need an anti-fighter-screen to defend from. Gone are the times of uncoordinated Mercenary and Pirate Attacks." Michiru stated.

The meeting ended and the trio were lead to a quarter, bunk beds fit for four again.

"I'm heading over for AICA to call up Rei and get my stuff." SunTzu announced after they inspected their small room.

"Guess we stay here and catch some R&R." Haruka announced and SunTzu shrugged and left the room.

A short time later SunTzu crossed back into the main hangar where the Voyager was just getting refilled.

SunTzu head to AICA.

"Hey Boss, back already? I just was getting refilled. They're pretty fast and efficient here."

"Glad to hear. Looks like while he getting some action against myriads of starfighter droids again."

"Something where we're quite experienced in now."

"Yeah. Anyways, AICA, can you open your canopy. I want to call Rei up."

"Sure, I'll already sent her a message stating that we arrived safely tho."

SunTzu climbed into AICA and called his girlfriend up.

"Hi TopGun. I'm glad you called, AICA told me that you arrived but where are you guys at after all?"

"Somewhere in the southeastern Core Worlds, guess we're striking soon. I just wanted to hear your voice before we get going here."

"Awww, is someone missing me already?"

"More than i imagined. Whatcha doing?"

"I just finished work and will head out for lunch with the other Senshi now."

"Sounds fun, give my regards. I'm gonna get back to our quarters now."

"Alright. Babe?"

"Hum?"

"I hope that you can come back soon. I'll be praying for you, okay?"

"Thank you Rei. Have fun tonight, will ya?"

"I will although I'd rather sleep next to you tonight."

"I love you Rei."

"And I love you my Doitsu no Akuma. Good hunting."

SunTzu stayed a moment in the cockpit, with a wry smile on his face.

A few minutes later he was back at their quarters again, although he almost got lost two times on his way back. These Star Destroyers were gigantic mazes.

He knocked one time and opened the door to the quarters.

Only to almost fall back out of the room.

The bare back of Haruka in an tight embrace with her girlfriend was on one of the lower bunk beds.

An at first surprised and Michiru almost immediately relaxed again while Haruka grabbed the first thing she found, it was her sports bra and threw it at SunTzu.

"Get the fuck out!"

Michiru winked at him before she continued kissing Haruka's neck while her male wingman blushed into a deep red and dropped the bra.

"So..So… Sorry!" SunTzu stuttered out before he stormed out again and closed the door.

Behind the closed again he took a deep breather before he shook his head and disbelief and went off to the nearest dining hall on the ship.

The menu on board was pretty nice, a mixture of Corellian and Denonian Cuisine.

SunTzu had a traladon goulash with some spiced corellian bun.

He had a strong car after the good tasting although spicy food and just as he sat down with the steaming hot pot of the stimulating liquid Haruka and Michiru showed up.

When he saw the couple appear at the table he immediately blushed and tried to apologize for interrupting their amorous play.

"Sorry Guys, I really, really didn't mean to burst in while you were getting at it." He spluttered out.

Haruka sighed.

"It's okay. We should have closed the door or so." The blonde haired Senshi replied, obviously being still pretty mad.

"See Haruka, that wasn't so hard."

Haruka mumbled something.

"You know, I had to tell Haruka that she either apologizes for just attacking me while our wingman is gone for a minute or I'll invite you to join next time."

"That's bloody unfair." Haruka ranted while SunTzu took his hands defensively.

"I'm honored but I… you know… I'm in a Relationship." The male pilots said.

"I wouldn't mind if Rei would join in tho!"

"Haruka!"

The two Senshi got lunch as well and the trio returned to their quarters.

"I'll sleep on the upper bed!" SunTzu announced and this earned him a chuckle from Michiru as well as an angry frown from Haruka.

The trio laid back and relaxed a bit when suddenly an alarm began to blare and it was announced that all Starfighter pilots were to immediately get to their fighters.

"Break Time is over." Haruka announced as she jumped out of bed, SunTzu jolted up as well and hit his head on ceiling, after both just had napped away. The similar surprised reactions of her two companions made Michiru, who had been staying awake laugh out loud.

A few minutes later the trio arrived at their snubs and immediately boarded them.

Fighter after fighter launched from the two Star Destroyers as well as from some of the frigates accompanying the two Impstars.

The third largest ship in the flotilla, a Republic-Class Star Destroyer or Star Defender as they were officially called only had one squadron of hyperdrive equipped Starfighters on board, two squadrons of Defender-Class and a Squadron of powerful K-Wing Bombers. The Elegos A'Kla's remaining complement consisted of eight Tie-Interceptor, that weren't hyperdrive equipped as well.

The other capital ships of the Flotilla, a few frigates of different types as well as a Heavy Corellian Gunboat and an Agave-Class Picket ship would jump to near the system and wait for signal to get in and engage when the coast was halfway clear.

"All fighters form up, Rogue Squadron takes the lead in front of the A'Kla. Voyager, SunTzu you guys form up with the Rogues." Wedge Antilles came in on the tactical channel.

"Rogue Squadron? The last squadron to join us, was Rogue Squadron?!" SunTzu came in over the com channel between the two starfighters.

To make up for his loses Wedge not only brought in the probably two most advanced starfighters in the Galactic Alliance as well as Rogue Squadron, the most notorious and unarguably best squadron in the galaxy. The Squadron, on whom had been a founding member and longtime leader was the General's ace up the sleeve.

"Rogue Leader Brigadier General Gavin Darklighter to our two friends from earth, you'll be flying as out seventh pair, how copy?"

"Roger Rogue Leader. It's more than a honor Sir."

"We heard good things about you guys. Is it true that the A-Wing has an artificial intelligence?"

"You bet your behind on that General. The name's AICA."

Gavin Darklighter, Rogue Leader for most of the Vong War and long time veteran of the Squadron had taken it's command again after he pleaded to Starfighter Corp's Commanding Officer, Tycho Chelchu, who also came back out of retirement just before the war begun and was immediately put into his position under request of the Chief of the State as well as the Supreme Commander, to get back to the squadron.

At least some elements in the GA were aware what they were doing.

The black haired man from Tatooine needed a moment to answer to that comment.

"Lieutenant SunTzu, is your ship always comunicating in that manner?"

"Most of the time. I apologize."

"Well, if she proofs herself in combat she can walkways talk to me like that."

"I'll take the challenge." AICA announced.

In the Voyager flying next to AICA, Michiru and Haruka both suppressed a grin.

"All right. Wedge we're good to go. All Squadrons, jump to light speed in 5. Time to bring these tin cans back to the scrap metal." Darklighter announced and all fighters, meaning Rogue Squadron, sporting XJ6-X-Wings, reinforced with AICA and the Voyager, thirty XJ-5 X-Wings from Red and Blue Squadron as well as the frigates, ten S-IV E-Wings, five B-Wing/ E Assault Starfighters from a Mon Cal Frigate and six A-Wings, were inbound to Lettow.

Enemy numbers counted into the hundreds, most of them, estimated were at least 250, being Vulture Droids and probably three dozen fighters controlled by sentient beings.

The numbers were definitely against the Galactic Alliance.

Around one hour later the snubs were about to return to normal space and AICA counted down a countdown.

Five seconds before it's end SunTzu made the sign of the cross and gave Rei a mental kiss.

Hopefully this Vultures are as stupid as ever…


The sixty five Starfighters fell out of hyperspace at the border of the Lettow System and the enemy reacted immediately with the deployment of dozens of starfighter droids, that rushed towards the Alliance's fighters.

"Alright people, we got a houndred fifty Vultures and fifty Tris coming in. Watch out for those Tris, there fast little bastards. Extend foils and engage." General Darklighter ordered and the X- and B-Wings got into Combat mode.

In his cockpit SunTzu began his preparations to engage as well.

"AICA, give us targets for multi-lock. Two missiles each snub, single targets."

"Affirmative. Here ya go!" The AI replied after she locked on two dozen droid fighters.

"Locked on." Haruka came in over their channel, before she contacted Rogue Leader over the squadron channel.

"General, we got multiple targets locked, requesting firing release."

"Copy, weapons free Captain. Let them have it. Rogues, let's loose their formations up as well, switch to Torpedoes."

"Missiles away!" Haruka announced and she and SunTzu released four multi-lock-missiles almost simultaneously.

After a short distance the missiles parted and released six smaller warheads each which rocketed themselves into the swarm of droids moving fast towards them.

The warheads hit twenty of twenty four targets and one more Vulture droid was too slow to evade a wreck so after four missiles twenty one droids were gone.

"Not bad Captain Tenoh, but now it's our turn. Rogues, launch torpedoes."

Rogue Squadron's torpedoes all found their marks and not even a minute into battle the enemy had lost thirty three droids already.

Now the remaining fighters launched concussion missiles and torpedoes and even before the first fighters clashed the enemy already had lost over seventy starfighter droids. If the Galactic Alliance's forces could keep that up they might stand a chance but now the droids were in range of their own and while the Tri-Droids let loose missiles containing buzz droids, basically the stark counterpart of astromech droids, their goal to demolish an enemy starfighter the first vultures clashed into the formation of GA snubs.

The Rogues shot their way straight through two squadrons of Vultures with Michiru scoring a few hits while they passed the enemy wave before the dozen XJ-Wings and the two fighters from Earth broke their formation into pairs each and went to fight targets of opportunity.

Haruka, SunTzu and Michiru were in midst of it, not only guarding each other but the the B-Wings as well as the larger assault fighters proofed to be a preferred target of the droids. Two had already been shot down, and a third was destroyed as a droid directly hurled himself in the middle of the larger fighter.

The remains of the A-Wing Squadron was after a squadron of Tri-Droids and the rest of the Rogues took on the rest of the fast starfighter droids, and even outnumbered they weren't a match for theses Aces.

Inside their cockpits the three friends from Crystal Tokyo admired the skills of the Squadron they accompanied.

In midst of the fighting one of the Rogues noticed something.

"Rogue Five to Rogue Leader. Hey Gavin, there's zero activity from the enemy Capital Ships, they're just sitting there."

"Bet that's a trap so that we get closer. The Ties didn't show up yet either. But we somehow need to lure the rest of the fighters out so that the Flotilla has a safe path towards the capital ships."

"Sounds like a job for us General. Just let us clear up around the B-Wings first." Haruka announced over the squadron's channel.

"Weren't suicide missions my speciality?" SunTzu asked over the radio channel between the two TF Sol fighters.

"I think Rei is right, Your lunacy is washing off." Haruka replied dryly and after shooting down the last Vulture Droid behind the pair of B-Wings she was guarding and turned about.

SunTzu sighed as AICA shot down another droid that tried to get away with a high climb but wasn't prepared for rotatable lasers.

"Fine but if someone asks it was your idea!"

While the B-Wings formed up again and the A-Wings joined the larger snubs in their formation the X-Wings took on the rest of the Vulture Droids while the Voyager with AICA in her usual position under the tail of the Tie Aggressor rushed through the enemy formations and Michiru managed to score some hits, one even saving a X-Wing from Blue Squadron.

"Thanks Voyager, drinks on me later."

"Copy, Blue Four." Michiru answered, a wide smile under her pilot helmet, knowing that Haruka was probably getting jealous as hell right now.

The two advanced fighters finally pushed through the clouds of enemy fighters and through open space headed towards the enemy fleet.

"Oi SunTzu, wanna piss off some tin cans?"

"Why certainly!" SunTzu answered with an exaggerated noble, british accent.

Haruka and SunTzu locked on the nearest capital ship, one of three Diamond Class Cruisers the enemy fleet had, and shot a pair of concussion missiles each at the ship.

The missiles didn't cause much damage but the ship's shields were definitely shaken.

Immediately the capital ships in range opened fire on the two fast starfighters and the guardians broke their formation and began veer off.

"Fighters incoming!" AICA warned the three pilots as the capital ships released more drones. "I also got two squadrons of Tie-Interceptors heading our way."

"I guess we really pissed them off this time!" Michiru yelled over the radio as she was busy tracking fighters around her and shooting at them.

"No shit!" SunTzu replied as he shot down a Tri Fighter, that appeared in front of him and steered AICA right through the explosion, debris lighting up her shields.

"Time to get back to friendly lines!" Haruka ordered as both starfighters linked up next to each other again and Michiru let down covering fire.

A whole squadron of Tie-Interceptors was heading their way fast.

Avoiding so much enemy fighters and anti-starfighter fire from the capital ships costed the earthlings precious seconds, the Ties were almost upon them as suddenly the lead ship exploded, followed by half of the squadron.

"Take care of those Squints Rogues!" General Darklighter ordered as the second half of the elite Squadron shot off Torpedoes on the remaining Ties.

"Mon Mothma, this is Rogue Leader. Looks like all enemy starfighters including the Ties are engaging now. We're closing in and trying to get as many as we can."

Darklighter reported to the Flagship.

"Roger, Rogue Leader. We're inbound. ETA 2 Minutes." The Communication Lieutenant on the bridge of the Star Destroyer answered.

"All fighters, get close and attack the remaining droids. Rogues get the rest of those Ties."

"Right on, Rogue Leader!" Haruka announced.

After loosing their tail, the three earthlings had room to breathe again and flew a tight Immelmann maneuver next to each other to bring them back on course of the enemy fleet.

A blink of an eye later they were alongside Rogue Squadron again and dogfighting with the Tie-Interceptors, or Squints as they were called in starfighter pilot slang.

While the remaining fifty six Galactic Alliance starfighters were busy to decimating the roughly three hundred enemy snubs two huge triangular shaped crafts, accompanied by smaller craft around them fell out of hyperspace and immediately began shooting turbolasers and ion cannons at the Lucrehulk and Munificent Frigates.

The Republic Class, abbreviated RSD, fell out of Hyperspace behind the enemy fleet and while it maneuvered around to hit the enemy with a broadside from behind it deployed it's short range fighter detachment and two dozen small and agile Defender-Starfighters pounced onto the enemy droids and Ties while a squadron of heavy armed K-Wings, basically the A-10 of Space Combat, took course towards the old Ton-Falk Escort Carrier and as soon as they could let off a salvo of EMP-Torpedoes followed up by regular proton torpedoes.

It didn't take more than one missile run and the bulky Carrier blew apart, spitting fire and atmosphere into the void.

While the Star Destroyers and the RSD blew up the larger ships, the Frigates took care of the Diamond-Class Cruisers and slowly, droid by droid, the Galactic Alliance Snubs gained the upper head and their capital ships could move up.

Just the area around the Lucrehulk, modified as Carrier, was almost impenetrable for the Galactic Alliance Starfighters as a squadron of Tie-Avengers, two squadrons of Tri-Droids and a full wing of Vulture Droids swarmed around the large ship. Most torpedoes and missiles from the Starfighter, except from the B- and K-Wings, had also been shot already and there weren't enough for an attempt to open up the snubs. A barrage from the capital ships wasn't an option neither, as the remaining frigates forms a shield around the enemy's flag ship. Even when destroyed the wrecks would make sure the ships would serve as cover.

A single XJ-6 X-Wing, in red markings, left the Mon Mothma.

"Rogues, Voyager, SunTzu. Form behind me, we're opening a path for the bombers. A-Wings, speed up and draw fire from the Munificents." The legendary Wedge Antilles had entered the battlefield in his X-Wing.

The Rogues and their accompanying starfighters immediately formed up behind Wedge.

The high ranking General flew straight towards the enemy flotilla and with just two small movements shot down two droid fighters getting close.

As the enemy frigates began to fire at the Alliance's snubs he put his ships on the left wing side before he dived down under the shield of Munificent Frigates.

The other fourteen fighters followed his example and Michiru could even neutralize a laser cannon on the down most frigate with her ion cannons.

Behind the frigates they pushed up again as the enemy Starfighters noticed them.

"Go get them guys!" Wedge ordered as almost every enemy snub followed after him.

Red laser fire, proton torpedoes and concussion missiles blew a hole into the cloud of droids behind Wedge and the General, one of the best pilots the galaxy ever had seen let his ship slip to the side and fall slightly down before he catched the fighter and blew up a droid.

And the man just began to show how good he really was.

Within seconds he had blown two more droids, Tris this time, into atoms and was now going after a Tie-Avenger.

The Rogues, Haruka, Michiru and SunTzu engaged in dogfights as well now.

While Haruka was slugging it out with a Tie-Avenger, intend to proofing which Tie-Variant was better, SunTzu and AICA were engaged with three droid fighters at once and while AICA was busy to not get any unwanted visitors in the form of buzz droids on board SunTzu was in a deadly dance about who would get the better shooting position first.

"Darling, if you could find the time, I wouldn't mind if you could record General Antilles flying, i have to see that later again, to actually believe it." SunTzu said in between maneuvers as he finally got one of the fighters.

"I do, just make sure there is a later meatbag." AICA replied while she blew out one of the two remaining Tris as he passed overhead.

Tri number three was hit by the cobra maneuver as he rushed in from behind.

Haruka had won her dogfight too, as well as a second duel, that wasn't even a real dogfight but a missile strike at each other.

The enemy's ranks were loosing up as the fifteen Ace pilots shot down enemy after enemy and as soon as it was possible Wedge ordered the bombers and strike fighters in.

Meanwhile Captain Raech and his counterpart on the Elegos A'Kla used the powerful tractor beams of the Star Destroyers to pull the wrecks of the Munificent Frigates away and as soon an opening was visible informed their own starfighters to stay away from the space around it as they opened fire through it.

Not even ten minutes later it was over.

The Lucrehulk wasn't destroyed by the Impstars but from the B- and K-Wings and as soon as the bigger ships were destroyed all craft attacked the remaining fighters.

The hyperspace capable fighters were ordered back to their ships as the Defender-Class snubs and the Agave-Class began to patrol the system.

A small droid force had been landed on the main planet, called Lettow, as well, and the K-Wings as well as the Alliance's remaining Tie-Interceptors were reloaded and escorted a landing force of Galactic Alliance Space Marines onto the planet.


AICA, Wedge and the Voyager took an extra round with Rogue Squadron over their flotilla.

"You Guys are awesome. I never saw such flying from a whole squadron, Rogues." Haruka praised the squadron.

"Right back atcha guys. You three do know your job. Hope to catch up with you guys again."

The pilots said their goodbyes and parted, the Rogues were going back to the Elegos A'Kla and the Voyager and AICA made their way over to the Mon Mothma, where they landed in the main hangar.

SunTzu was completely soaked in sweat and his hair sticked to his head when he pulled down his pilot helmet.

He took a deep breather before he thanked AICA and petted her console.

The AI answered with a joyful "Good job, meatbag" before she went on that she was in need for some attention from ground crew now.

The two women and SunTzu left their cockpits and got together for their mandatory hug after the battle.

"You guys seem to be pretty close." A male voice came from behind as the trio had their arms around each other.

They looked up and around, General Wedge Antilles, in a bright orange flight suit and helmet under his arm, was standing there with a smile up on his face.

The trio straightened up and saluted.

"General Sir! We are, sorry if it was bothering you."

Wedge motioned them to put their hands down after he reciprocated the salute.

"Not at all. It's great if wingmen get along this well and take care of each other." The aging pilot refused to go on and tell, that this was at least till one of them would die, although it was on his mind.

"The Lieutant is like family to us, Sir." Michiru replied to Wedge and the latter showed a warm smile.

"Then take good care of your Family you three."

"We will, General." Haruka replied, with determination.

Wedge nodded.

"Great flying today. You guys really life up to your stories."

"Thank you, Sir." The three guardians replied simultaneously.

"No, thank you. You helped us immensely today. No get some rest, debriefing in two hours."

The trio watched Wedge leave the hangar.

"You saw his flying?" Haruka asked SunTzu.

"Saw? I told AICA to record it for later analysis because it was so phenomenal. You saw his maneuver after ascending over the Lucrehulk?"

"Yeah, it was outstanding maneuvering. Actually I gotta say, after seeing General Antilles fly, you're just the third best pilot I know anymore, SunTzu."

"Third? Who's the second best so?" SunTzu asked Haruka with a raised eyebrow.

"Me, of course."