The very next morning, on their way to the palace, Rei and SunTzu bought every gossip rag and newspaper they could find with their pictures.
And everyone of them praised Crystal Tokyo's power couple, the highest galactical Diplomat on the planet and the distinguished War Hero, raising ranks quickly and the reason for the ball the day before yesterday.
Some of the pictures were really for the books and all trouble aside the two lovers were proud of the pictures.
On the way to the palace, Rei was searching the Internet for them.
"Haha, they're calling us SunRei in the internet, although ReiTzu seems to have it's fans too. Oh, and we're still trending on Twitter."
The two couldn't believe how people made their relationship go viral. Of course there were the occasional haters but It felt great that people were celebrating their love.
Ami and Ada on the other side would probably wanted to kill them though, Undercover jobs were no more but between potential deadly missions and an relationship where they could show their love open, both of them would choose the latter.
Most of the time at least, a little bit of life threatening danger made life a bit spicier, didn't it?
The five days until the end of Hotaru's, as well as Helios's, exams passed quickly. Since AICA wasn't available SunTzu didn't fly much, just two short exercises with one of the Recon Y-Wings of the Taskforce but rather trained on ground dwelling combat. He spent extra time at the range and with the Commandos, training with them as well as with some officers of the ground forces, getting insight into the work as company commander, the usual work of a Captain in the Army.
Everyday he also trained with Setsuna and sometimes with Rei and the other Senshi, apart from not feeling too well Rei's grandfather still didn't accept her relationship with SunTzu and on top work kept her extremely busy as she and her team were finishing Earth's application for a seat in the Galactic Senate.
That mean that she usually didn't go easy on her boyfriend but eager to prove his state as Guardian of Guardians and first knight he held up pretty well. Her flaming fists and fire attacks were almost not counterable though. Compared to earlier he still did way better and not only against Sailor Mars but also against the others, including Sailor Pluto, as well.
"If you keep up like that I have to think about wedding preparations soon!" She playfully mocked him after a close spare fight between the two lovers, with the joke they had between each other, that he could only marry her after besting her in combat.
That's the plan my Love.
The couple also stayed together almost every night now, either at his place or her quarter in the Crystal Tower as Rei, partly as punishment for his stubbornness tried to avoid her grandfather until he accepted her relationship with a non Shintoist foreign Man.
SunTzu felt sorry for the trouble he caused but whenever he tried to apologize about it, Rei told him, that it absolutely wasn't his fault. She was right about that, but he still couldn't help otherwise than to feel guilty.
The night before the last exam of his protégé SunTzu and Rei were laying in bed together, she was laying in his arms. SunTzu just had tried out something and massaged her back just above the tailbone and Rei really felt a bit afterwards, her Uterus had been killing her today.
"Hey, that really helped. Where did you learn this?"
"I don't have any idea. I know that it works but i just can't remember why I know it."
"So something from before the tank then."
"I guess."
The diplomat smiled and mocked her boyfriend.
"TopGun, I slowly get the feeling you have more experience with women than I thought."
"I think it doesn't speak for me that I can't remember any name of any girl I might could have had, right?" He replied with a ironic smile.
"They wouldn't compare to me anyway."
He moved his face next to hers.
"This is true, actually. In every aspect."
A tender kiss between the two lovers followed.
"When are you leaving for Coruscant?" Rei asked after a few more minutes of cuddling and snuggling.
"Coruscant?"
"Yes. You're gonna visit the adjuration of Hotaru, won't you?"
"Yeah, I'd love to, but how do I get to Coruscant? AICA is with Hotaru."
"Babe I love you, but you're such a dummy sometimes. How about buying a ticket for a shuttle?"
"Oh. I didn't think about that to be honest." He laughed about himself. "I'm so used to AICA that I really didn't think about it. Yeah, I'm dumb."
Rei just pressed her lips together and shrugged.
"I'll book a ticket right now." He turned around and grabbed for his phone.
"You might book a ticket for Setsuna too, she would be so happy. And don't you dare to let her fly economy."
The last day of Hotaru's exams had been a hard day for SunTzu. His two female wingmen had been assigned for an important maneuver in the United States for the next few days, Stinger Jordan had chewed him out after a small exercise with the single seater Y-Wing because his reckless flying, Rei, at least she was doing better, was absolutely booked out with work. So bad that she probably had to do overtime and only if he'd be lucky he'd see her before his departure to Coruscant. Even Breakfast had been interrupted by an alarm exercise and when he finally came back from it, the food was cold already.
And he was nervous and overexcited to hear from Hotaru. She would pass, no doubt about it, but he wanted her to pass as first of her class, even though there were Jedi in her class.
Now it was midday and he was smoking a cigarette at his usual place in the palace courtyard, feeling completely stressed out.
"You know the combination of stress and smoking is even more harmful than just smoking."
SunTzu lips curled up and he closed his eyes for a moment.
"Am I looking stressed so obviously?"
"Well, the speed your drawing away your cigarette clearly gives this indication."
Setsuna told as she walked nearer to the bench. "Hard day?"
"Yeah. But you do look a bit more tense than usual too. No offense."
"None taken. Hard Night Shift."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Car crash of a family coming back from a family celebration. All dead including the kids. These are the times that make the job hard."
SunTzu nodded slowly and empathetic.
"I'm sorry for this."
"It's not your fault. You're not the idiot that drives too fast and unrested in the night, with his kids and wife in the car." She stated dry.
"Guess we should let off some steam. Hotaru won't be finished before late afternoon anyways." SunTzu proposed to the Guardian of Time. "Maybe beating me to a pulp cheers you up." He said equally dry as Setsuna just told her statement.
"Captain, you exactly know what a woman wants to hear."
His head turned to her, an eyebrow raised and when she catched his gaze she shot him a wry grin.
The two Guardians trained for hours, together, against each other, armed and unarmed. And they didn't spare themselves anything. Just being accustomed to each other was the sole reason they didn't hurt each other.
Both of them just stopped because they were so exhausted, SunTzu couldn't stand upright anymore even with the help of the force.
Heavily breathing, drenched in sweat, with sore muscles and aching bodies they were sitting, or rather lying in SunTzu's case, beside each other in the Senshi's training room in the palace.
A ringtone came out of Setsuna's handbag and she walked over and pulled out her phone, still in her Sailor Fuku and holding the Garnet Rod in the other hand.
When she saw the caller ID she began to smile.
"Hello Hotaru!" She said and walked back to SunTzu.
A small pause followed as Hotaru was telling how things went and SunTzu, lifting his head from where he was lying began to smile as well as he saw Setsuna's smile curve up even more.
"Congratulations Hotaru! I'm so proud of you. You're a pilot now!"
SunTzu on the ground lifted a victorious fist into the air as Hotaru told her mother more.
"SunTzu? Yeah, he's here, lying right next to me."
The following WHAT?! from Hotaru could be even heard by SunTzu.
"Oh, yeah. We had an extensive training and he's exhausted, that's why he's lying on the floor. Yeah, of course, just a moment."
She leaned down and extended the phone to SunTzu, who sat up and took it.
"Second Lieutenant Hotaru Meiou! My congratulations to your passed exams Pilot."
"Thank you! I'm so happy, I still can't believe it."
"You earned it Hotaru. I'm so proud of you. You already have your wings?"
"We'll get them tomorrow at the Vow tomorrow. I'll just make a few more calls and then we're out celebrating for today."
"You earned that, enjoy it."
"Thank you again. I will."
"Good, I'll give you back to your mother. Good work Firefly."
"Goodbye SunTzu, see you when I come back."
SunTzu handed the phone back to Setsuna who talked a little bit longer with her adoptive daughter, before they said their goodbyes.
SunTzu got up smiling and held his hand up to high five with Setsuna who smilingly did so.
"Okay, I really have to take a shower now and get going." SunTzu said afterwards and left the room, Setsuna grabbing her back and following, she desperately needed one too.
Fifteen Minutes later, SunTzu was waiting at the entrance to the training and gym area, dressed back in one of the olive uniforms of the Taskforce.
He was smoking a cigarette and waited for Setsuna, casually leaning on the wall. His body was killing him already.
A few minutes later, he already had finished the cigarette she left the building.
"Setsuna?" He asked and she turned around to him.
"You were waiting for me?" She asked surprised.
"Yes, I wanted to surprise Hotaru and booked a flight to Coruscant for tonight." The pilot pulled out his phone and opened the ticket. "I've taken the freedom to book for you too."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"I was thinking about going to Coruscant but I didn't want to be that helicopter mom that travels after her child, I don't know if Hotaru would like that."
"Oh, come on, you know she would have been happy. And she has a overprotective trainer as well. Let's go, I'll invite you." They both smiled at each other.
"But the invitation is not necessary you know."
"It is. This little trip won't hurt me. See it as reward that you trusted your daughter on a rapscallion like me."
"Well that rapscallion made her a pilot so." They smiled at each other again before she continued.
"Okay then. When do I have to be at the airport?"
SunTzu told her the where and whens and they parted ways to get ready.
Before SunTzu got to pack his stuff, and the gift he got for Hotaru, he went to the rose bushes near the palace frontal buildings, a gardener was just taking care of them and he asked the man if it would be possible to have one. The man nodded and cut one from the bush for him.
SunTzu thanked the guy and went to the offices of the Diplomatic Services.
He asked at the front desk of the office if Diplomat Hino was available and the young lady there congratulated him to his promotion and knighting before she told him that she was just on the way to bring the Head Diplomat a cup of coffee.
"You don't mind?" SunTzu asked, took the coffee cup and it's saucer and walked towards Rei's office, where he knocked.
After hearing a "Come in" he carefully opened the door, where Rei was busy on the telephone.
Surprised to see her boyfriend she needed a moment.
"Excuse me Senator, I'll call back in a few moments, I have important news regarding our forces coming in right now."
She put down the earphone.
"How did she do?"
"Passed everything!"
Rei threw both of her hands up in a victorious pose.
"Yes!"
SunTzu walked up to his girlfriend's desk table and placed the coffee as well as the rose on the table.
"Good news, a well needed coffee and a rose. Guess I do live the dream."
She got up from her chair grabbed SunTzu by his tie and pulled him in for a kiss over the table.
He almost spilled the coffee as Rei pulled him in.
"You're going to Coruscant tonight, right?" She asked him after the couple had finished the kiss.
"Yes, Setsuna and me. We'll take the night flight."
"Good, Hotaru will be happy when you surprise her tomorrow."
"I hope so." He grinned. "No, it will be a nice surprise. I also talked with Artemis, they're will be a small welcoming ceremony when she gets home as well. Artemis will officially induct her into the Taskforce as Pilot and also Helios as Naval Officer."
"That's great, Chibiusa, Ami and Artemis will be joining Helios's vow in Geneva tomorrow, Ami told me at lunch. Artemis wants to see if he can acquire some more personnel for us from that year."
"Sounds Good. We need to build our manpower."
"Yeah. Originally it was planned that the whole Royal Family is going but King and Queen will open Crystal Tokyo's First own hospital tomorrow with all the glitters."
"Looks like everyone is busy."
"You can say that loud, I'll have a trip to the United Nations plenum in New York with Naru tomorrow, we're officially informing the world about the status of our seat in the Galactic Senate. That's why I have so much work."
"I see. Rei Hino, casually letting the earth's leaders know about her next career steps." He smiled and earned a little sheepish smile from his girlfriend before she looked at her watch, the one she got from SunTzu.
"I guess I can extend this break to the length of a cigarette if I hurry afterwards. Let's go?"
After the cigarette followed a long goodbye kiss, and the mutual telling how much they'd miss each other, before the couple really had to part.
And while the Head Diplomat headed back to her office, SunTzu went home to pack a few things.
He was good in time as he arrived at the airport, having just had a phone call to wish his tired girlfriend a good night.
Setsuna and him had agreed that they'd do the check-in together so it was less likely that something got screwed up. After all Galactic flights weren't any better than international ones.
He was waiting near the check-in-counter when she arrived. Rolling a suitcase behind her, dressed in a grey pencil skirt with matching jacket and a black blouse she was looking all buisness, in stark contrast to him in a grey sweatpant and a hoody.
To his defense it was the middle of the night and the flight to Coruscant would take the rest of it.
When the doctor catched a glimpse of him she came over.
SunTzu got up and Setsuna mustered him, her brows shooting up for a moment.
"I'm sorry, I'm dressed rather casual. Too much uniform wearing lately I guess."
Still mustering him she nodded absently, before she snapped out and looked into his face.
"It's okay, as long as you're fine with it. Now, shall we check in?"
Me fine with it? Rei loves that outfit on me.
After checking in they went to the lounge of ship line. As it was for Hotaru and to satisfy Rei's demand fully, SunTzu didn't spare any expanses and booked two First Class Flights.
"Does your girlfriend know that you're inviting me to a first class flight?"
"Rei was actually the driving force to invite you."
"I see. I should thank her as well then."
After a few moments in the lounge, that was empty except for them and a single serivce agent, and after SunTzu brought the two of them something to drink from the Lounge's catering, Setsuna, on a comfortable arm chair next to SunTzu's identical chair, she put on a pair of glasses before the Doctor pulled out a tablet from the MCM Tote Bag that she had as hand luggage and began to check her E-Mails.
After a few more minutes SunTzu finally broke the silence.
"Working?"
"Yes." Was her curt answer, without even looking up.
SunTzu just nodded and kept quiet again, the Ice Queen next to him seemed to prefer to stay with herself.
Around forty five minutes later they boarded the shuttle as the first two persons.
There were only three more guests in the first class apart from them.
As soon as she was sitting Setsuna pulled out her tablet again, put on her glasses again and began to work some more.
"It seems you're doing something important." SunTzu said, the board magazine he just opened out of boredom still in hand.
"I get a lot of requests from professional medical staff all over the world regarding Bacta treatments."
"Bacta?"
"Yes, Bacta. I'm one of the leading specialists of Bacta Treatments on earth."
She finally pulled her head away from the tablet and looked at SunTzu, taking off her glasses.
"And I guess as my frequent patient it's also to your credit." She told him with the hint of a smile before she put on her glasses again and got back to work.
When the flight attendant served Champagne as welcome drink, she just took the glass, saying thanks but didn't look up from the screen.
SunTzu had given up on conversation with his companion when the shuttle rolled away from the terminal to it's starting position.
Suddenly a champagne flute appeared next to him.
When he turned his head to it, he noticed a quizzical looking Setsuna glancing at him.
"Don't tell me your not going to toast with me." She said.
He smiled and grabbed his glass.
"To Hotaru." She said as they clinged their glasses.
"To Hotaru and her pass."
The two Guardians each took a sip, the champagne was excellent.
"I think I haven't really thanked you for the invitation yet. As well as for coming along." The Senshi smiled friendly at SunTzu.
"I just want to let you know that I appreciate everything that you do for Hotaru and me."
"My pleasure." The Pilot replied with a smile as well. "I'm just giving back to two great humans. And Hotaru deserves it. She is an exceptional girl, even the Senshi Magic."
"She truly is." Setsuna nodded happily.
Meanwhile the shuttle had lifted off and rocketed towards space.
"Listen, you should get some sleep in."
"You too Setsuna, it's been a long day for both of us."
"I will. Just this last E-Mail." She typed a bit more into the tablet. "And sent. Okay, time for bed."
SunTzu just had made his seat ready for sleeping and soon Setsuna had transformed her seat for more comfortable sleeping as well.
She let out a satisfied sigh when she finally took off her high heels and stretched out her legs.
The light inside the shuttle had already been dimmed.
"Good Night Setsuna." SunTzu said and pulled down the sleep mask on his forehead.
"Good Night SunTzu, sleep well." The Senshi of Time replied before she turned around and almost immediately napped in.
—-
The two Earthlings woke up just an hour before the landing, the light in the cabin just had been turned back on.
"Good Morning, did you sleep well?" Setsuna asked SunTzu, immediately wide awake. SunTzu wasn't completely awake yet.
"These seats are not bad, but i sleep better in AICA." He mumbled.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I remember the times when there still was real comfort on travels. Like the bed in my suite on the Titanic. God, that was so comfortable. Too bad about that ship."
"Your bed in the suite on what?" SunTzu asked still sleepdrunken and Setsuna's eyes widened in shock for the blink of a second.
"Uhm, never mind. Traveling is just not what it used to be anymore."
SunTzu just nodded, still more asleep than awake.
After a lick and a promise and breakfast they already reached the Coruscant-System and the shuttle approached the Galactic Capital Planet.
Thirty minutes later they were the first to leave the shuttle and after getting the bags they were good to go, with the intent to hit up one of the spaceport's hotels up to get a room to get ready and change into proper attire.
As soon as they left the arrival hall they found Agent Ada Wong, Galactic Alliance Intelligence Service, waiting for them with a holo pad showing their names.
Goddamn Spies, you can't do anything without them knowing about it.
"Good Morning Miss Wong, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you'd pick us up, SunTzu didn't mention." Setsuna greeted the short black haired woman which greeted her with a friendly smile.
"That Is because I didn't know that she would be here, but apparently I can't even go to the vow of my protégé without Intelligence observing me."
"And good morning to you too my dear SunTzu. I hope you had a pleasant flight."
"If it's for a mission, I'm not available."
"Why does it always have to be for a mission when I met you on Coruscant?"
"Then why are you here?"
"I just wanted to be friendly to my favorite knight on earth. I don't know about you, but I'm actually happy to see you so soon again."
SunTzu just stared at her.
"Okay, Leon is away with the Chief of State, maybe I just need someone I can tease a bit. I need entertainment."
SunTzu looked at Setsuna and made a gesture, that he had been right.
The trio left the spaceport and went over to a parking lot where Ada had a repulsor car parked.
They packed their luggage inside and Ada lift off, right into Coruscant's always jammed traffic.
"Hey Ada, where are we going? I need to get into uniform before I hit up the Academy."
SunTzu asked her from the co driver seat, while Setsuna was looking out onto Coruscant's skyline.
"Oh, I took the freedom and organized something in the Alisandre Hotel. Little gift for Hotaru passing her exam from your pals from the Spy Alliance." She quickly looked over and winked at him.
"I hope two rooms." Setsuna chimed in from the backseat.
"Of course Doctor. One for you and your daughter and one for SunTzu. By the way SunTzu, what does your girlfriend say about it that you invited the doctor to the Flight to Coruscant? First Class and all."
"I'm glad that you ask. It was her idea to invite Doctor Meiou and she also told me to not let her fly economy." SunTzu replied annoyed.
"Rei is such a generous woman. Don't you think so also, Doctor Meiou?"
"Rei is the best."
SunTzu on Ada's right slipped nearer to the door and looked out the window.
"Oh c'mon SunTzu. I'm just giving you a hard time. Like I said, I need to annoy someone as Leon is away. And you're just so well of a substitute."
The arrived at the famous and luxurious hotel and Ada landed at it's parking lot.
"Thirty minutes is enough for you guys?"
Ada asked and SunTzu looked questioningly back to Setsuna.
"Thirty minutes will be sufficient. Thank you Ada."
SunTzu was just about to get out, when Ada grabbed him by the shoulder.
"You got cigarettes?"
SunTzu sighed and handed her his lighter and cigarettes before he got out and opened the back door for the doctor.
"At least he didn't forget his manners." Ada commented dryly.
Twenty three minutes later, SunTzu was back in Ada's repulsor car.
"Woah, these rooms sure are nice. Thanks for that Ada."
"You're welcome. I'm glad you like them."
"Listen, I'm sorry if I seem a bit stressed out and act pissed. I have a lot on my mind lately."
"Hey, it's all good. Everyone has a bad day sometimes. I hope it's nothing that can't be fixed."
"Oh, mostly it's just my future grandfather in law, that has a problem. Because of him being so conservative. But it's hard for Rei, and that nags me. And lately everybody seems to enjoy pissing me off."
The Agent gazed at SunTzu with an empathetic look.
"Sucks, but don't forget stuff like that doesn't make you a bad person. It's just the prejudices of other people."
"Yeah. You know it would be easier if the guy was a total asshole but he basically raised Rei through her teenage years and I really respect that."
In that moment Setsuna appeared in the hotel's door, wearing a grey uniform of the Medical Corps, her ribbons and rank insignia, giving away her rank as Lieutenant Colonel.
Ada let out a whistle.
"This woman can really wear anything."
SunTzu got out and opened the car's back door for her.
The Medical Officer strode towards the car, her usual RBF on. Quite a few people on the street were staring at the beautiful, exotic and lordly woman in her uniform.
Five steps in front of the car she took down her officer's hat.
"No salute Captain? What would your Admiral say."
SunTzu's eyes widened and appalled he looked at her, she never striked him as someone to give much about these things.
Right as he stiffened and wanted to move his arm up, Setsuna began to smile and put her hand on his arm, so he couldn't raise it, motioning him to not to do it, before she sat down into the car.
"You're right Agent Wong. Annoying him is entertaining."
SunTzu shook his head as he closed the back door and then entered the car where the two grinning women were sitting in.
Soon after they arrived at the Starfighter Pilot Academy and Ada let them out in front of the Academy.
She would just park the car and join the onlookers on the tribune.
"I have to meet someone before the vow. You're joining me or heading straight for the tribune?" SunTzu asked Setsuna as he put on his uniform's hat.
"I rather come along. Your contacts are often rather questionable."
SunTzu, closely followed by the Senshi made his way to the office of the headmaster.
He didn't even get to the second of floor of the Academy where the room was located as the Headmaster and the person he was looking for we're already on their way.
When SunTzu saw the person he was looking for he immediately stood to attention and saluted.
"General Cracken, Sir!"
Behind him a surprised Setsuna stopped next to him and began to salute too.
"At ease Captain. My congratulations to your promotion." Four Star General Pash Cracken, Commandant of the Galactic Alliance's Starfighter Corps said to SunTzu as he reciprocated the greeting, before he turned his attention towards Setsuna.
"Lieutenant Colonel, I don't think we had the pleasure yet."
"Lieutenant Colonel Doctor Setsuna Meiou, Sir. Co-leading head of medical staff of Earth's Taskforce Sol. It's a honor to meet you." When he heard the last name he took on a questioning look.
"The Lieutenant Colonel actually is the mother of Lieutenant Meiou." SunTzu told the Veteran.
The General put forth his hand towards Setsuna and the two shared a handshake.
"My Congratulations Lieutenant Colonel. Your daughter passed as best of her class. And this with doing most of her training outside of the Academy even."
Setsuna and SunTzu both formed wide smiles on their faces, those were some great news.
Cracken turned to SunTzu again.
"Captain, I brought the medal with me. It's authorized that you award it."
"Thank you Sir."
"You're welcome. Now if you would excuse me, I'll see you at the ceremony. You two are free to join me and the General at the lectern."
"It's a honor, Sir." Both earthlings said at the same time. The two Generals both nodded and walked away.
As soon as they were gone SunTzu hugged a completely surprised Setsuna, her hands not raised.
"Yes!" He yelled. "Yes, she did it!"
After a few seconds he remembered what he was doing and he pulled his hands away from the puzzled Setsuna.
"So-sorry! I'm just so happy Hotaru passed as top trainee."
Setsuna smoothened her uniform again.
"No problem, no need to hold back with your joy. I'm proud as well."
The Senshi and the Pilot left of the building on the opposite side they came in and found themselves in front of a drill ground where a lectern had been built at one end and tribunes had been built on the sides. They were filled with onlookers, officers, friends and families my members of the graduating class. Large flags of the Alliance, the Starfighter Corps and one with the logo of the Academy were flying near the lectern.
The two hurried over to the staff of the school at the lectern, where two rows of chairs had been put. They greeted the officers there and SunTzu introduced Setsuna to the teachers of Hotaru. All of them were gushing over the teenager's flying skills.
Standing on the side of the lectern, soon before the ceremony began and the graduates didn't had formed up yet but were waiting near the door of the main building for the signal to form up.
Setsuna and SunTzu looked for Hotaru and Setsuna finally found her in midst of the cadets near the entrance. Even the often reserved and listless teenager was smiling now and it seemed she was quite popular with her co-trainees, all of them dressed in their Starfighter Corps Gala Uniforms in the black and gold, just as SunTzu was wearing his.
Setsuna, standing right next close to SunTzu, briefly put a hand on the pilot's stomach and smilingly pointed towards Hotaru.
Hotaru hadn't seen them yet and the two Guardians decided to keep the surprise up and went to their chairs.
As recipient of the Distinguished Flying Medal SunTzu was automatically a honorary guest and he and Setsuna were sitting first, beside each other.
A fanfare played and the graduates formed up on the drill ground in columns.
As top of her graduation class Hotaru had the first spot on the most left of the columns in the formation.
With a serious face she walked up to the place, just the sparkle in her eyes giving away the pride she was feeling.
Next to her was a male human Jedi Padawan, around the same age as Hotaru.
The handsome boy with a short cut brown hair and the typical Padawan braid hanging over his shoulder and her exchanged a quick gaze and a nod of respect when they got in formation.
As Hotaru finally stood In formation she looked up with a neutral demeanor that immediately changed into a wide smile as she saw her adoptive mother and trainer sitting on her left of the first row on the stage where the lectern was located.
Setsuna waved at her happily and SunTzu threw her a victory sign.
This only lasted for a few seconds as one of the lecturers of the academy presented her the banner of the graduation year. Setsuna on her seat, discreetly had her phone pulled out and took pictures, a proud smile on her face.
She straightened up and held the banner high, here head dutifully aimed at the lectern.
A few moments later the Headmaster stepped towards and began the ceremony, welcoming the guests.
The next speaker was General Cracken and he held a speech that after a very short episode of peace and continued rebuilding on Coruscant and the whole Galaxy, War had found it's way back again and although it was more like a shadow war with mostly pinprick attacks, insurgency and proxy combatants the galaxy was still at danger and that the new pilots of this class were to serve in the frontlines soon. He wished them all the best and then one after another the graduates received their pilot wings and ranks. Hotaru was the last to receive them and General Cracken also announced that she was the top of this year. Spectators and graduates applauded and SunTzu, Setsuna, as well as other gave standing ovations.
The General congratulated the class again, before he turned quickly around to SunTzu and nodded.
The German got up and walked down the stage.
"Concluding we have a premiere at this academy. For the first time ever one of our recruits already gained so much combat experience, still in his training, that he qualifies for the Starfighter Corps Ace Medal of confirmed dogfight scores."
SunTzu, accompanied by one of the General's adjutants, holding a small pillow with the medal on it, arrived next to Hotaru. One of the trainers overtook the banner from Hotaru as she straightened up.
"Second Lieutenant Meiou, as Commandant of the Galactic Alliance Starfighter Corps it is my honor to present you with the Starfighter Ace Medal in Silver Rank for the astonishing score of seventeen scored hits." The General continued and then looked over to SunTzu while the spectators began to applauded. "Captain, would you please."
SunTzu nodded and with precise and serrated steps walked in front of his former trainee.
In a ceremonial way SunTzu took the medal from the small pillow and turned around to Hotaru again.
He gave her the hint of a smile and she answered back with one before her face froze again and pinned the medal on her uniform. Behind, in front and around him every officer and enlisted saluted, even a teary eyed Setsuna.
"I'm so proud of you Hotaru." SunTzu said as he finished pinning the medal.
"Hotaru means Firefly and this shall be your way. May your flying be a shining example in this dark times and light up the path for others. And may the Force be with you and the Moonlight guide all your paths." Trainer and trainee were both visibly moved.
SunTzu straightened up and saluted as well, with Hotaru reciprocating the salute a second after. The crowd began to cheer again, and even more than before gave standing ovations.
The salute ended and SunTzu and the adjutant walked back to the stage again.
The banner was handed back to Hotaru and a recruit from the year that would graduate next class marched towards Hotaru.
She handed him the banner over with the best of wishes.
"Class, you're dismissed. Welcome to the Galactic Alliance of Free Alliances' Starfighter Corps. Clear Skies Pilots!" General Cracken ended the ceremony and the graduates threw their Officer hats into the air, while the crowd applauded more and louder than before.
Standing next to each other again Setsuna and SunTzu shared a proud smile before they clapped even more.
A few minutes later, the spectators and graduates began to mingle and SunTzu and Setsuna had joined Hotaru and after the Commandant, Headmaster and the other trainers had congratulated Hotaru personally they were at her side.
SunTzu stood a few steps aside as proud mother and daughter hugged and Setsuna congratulated her adoptive child.
A few moments later It was SunTzu's turn and he gave his teenage trainee a fatherly bear hug and told her again how proud he was.
Soon Ada came over and congratulated Hotaru as well, she had a camera slung around her neck.
"I took a few good pics of the Graduate and her patchwork parents." She said and this sparked a wide smile from Hotaru and blushes from the two adults.
Soon after Ada excused herself, work was calling and she wished the trio a pleasant graduation day and rest of stay on Coruscant.
A Jedi in his brown robe suddenly came over, followed by the second best graduate.
"Greetings Captain SunTzu. I'm Jedi Knight Valin Horn and the Master of Padawan Alask Lonarcch, the second best graduate."
Both Master and Padawan bowed down and SunTzu bowed down as well.
"You're the son of Master Horn, right? Nice to meet you." SunTzu said and extended his hand with the Jedi.
They shook hands.
"Yes, Master Horn is my father. You had force training under Master Durron, didn't you?"
"I had but I'm not a Jedi. My responsibilities lie the protection of the Royal Family of our Kingdom and their guardians, Lieutenant Meiou and her Mothers being two of them." SunTzu motioned towards mother and daughter.
"I see, but I think I'm not the only one that wouldn't mind seeing you flying with the Jedi. Although I see our Starfighter combat abilities are secured for the next few years."
The young Jedi motioned to his Padawan and SunTzu extended his hand towards the teenage boy as well.
"Congratulations Lieutenant Lonarcch."
The group talked a bit longer and the teenage Sailor Senshi and the Padawan gratulated each other as well.
Jedi and Padawan soon said their goodbyes and left and Setsuna was hushing something into Hotaru's ear which made her blush.
"Mooom!" She yelled out.
Setsuna just shrugged it off with a smug grin.
Some more Graduates came over and quite a few seemed to have become actual friends of Hotaru.
After they said their goodbyes as well a tall and muscular looking young man, although handsome, but sporting an arrogant, smug grin on his face labeling him as probable upper class kid that never had any trouble in his life because his parent's money, approached Hotaru, with a bouquet of beautiful multicolored and exotic looking flowers. Neither of the two adults had seen him under the top ten of the graduates.
"Hotaru I bought you these. Congratulations for passing as first and for the medal." He presented the flowers with a bow.
At least the boy had manners but Hotaru rolled her eyes.
"Sieghuf, how many times do we have to have this talk again. Listen, you're just not my type."
Setsuna and SunTzu both began to muster the boy with evaluating glances. SunTzu's glance was rather a glare.
"Daughter, don't you want me to introduce to this young man?"
Hotaru let out a loud annoyed sigh.
"Fine. Mom that's Sieghuf Tarkin from Eriadu. Sieghuf that's my mom and you do know Captain SunTzu."
While Setsuna still evaluated the young man, SunTzu began to speak.
"Lieutenant, you're standing in front of two higher ranking officers, are you not gonna greet them accordingly? Haven't they taught you any military discipline, Pilot? Or are you expecting any Snipers around?"
That said in the most sharpest tone SunTzu's look went to a cold stare in which Setsuna joined in.
The boy straightened up and began a salute. He glanced over to Setsuna and her Ice Queen Stare made his hand shake.
As highest ranking officer she was the one to reciprocate the greeting.
And she let him roast for a few very long seconds before she saluted in return, SunTzu raising his hand to salute at the same time.
The boy was trembling now as the dark green haired mistress of Ice Stares still looked at him.
"Ex… excuse me, Ma…Ma'am. Cap…Captain." He stuttered out and walked away, almost jogging.
As soon as he was out of earshot SunTzu began to have problems suppressing his laughter.
He cleared his throat and looked to a thankful looking Hotaru, Setsuna was looking at her daughter as well.
"Thanks Guys, I've been trying to shake this guy off for weeks now."
Mother, Daughter and SunTzu left the drill area and headed towards the building where a reception was held.
"Why you guys don't go ahead, I'll have to visit AICA real quick."
"Sure thing. She's been missing you a lot." Hotaru said and linked in with her mother leading her towards the building while SunTzu headed for the hangars.
A few minutes later the Pilot from earth entered one of the academy's hangars and went to one of the corners where his modified A-Wing was parked.
"Darling! What a surprise! I was missing you." A joyful AI of the AI yelled at him.
"Hello AICA, how are you?" He said as he walked up and began to pet the front part of the A-Wing.
"Doing fine, they're taking good care of us here. And you should have seen our final examination Flight. Hotaru flew flawless. And she's a threat, even for the trainers here."
"You have to show me, when we're back. The ceremony just ended, Haruka was even presented with the Ace Medal in Silver."
"I know, I observed over one of the academy's cameras, I hacked in."
SunTzu smiled, typical AICA.
"Since Setsuna is here as well, I guess we don't leave today?"
SunTzu froze, he hadn't even thought about that yet. But they had hotels room until tomorrow.
"Good question, haven't thought about that yet. Hold up let me call Rei."
Head diplomat of the Crown as well as appointed Leading Diplomat of the GA's Diplomatic Corps Rei Hino was just having lunch with Naru Umino, the head and ambassador of the Diplomatic Mission to the United Nations and basically the foreign minister for the Kingdom on earth, just outside the UN Building when SunTzu called.
"Hey Babe."
"Hi, how are you?"
"So far, i'm good. The usual narrow-minded, old men against the young, hot Rei Hino and Naru Umino. But we're handling things well. How was the ceremony? I already shot Hotaru a message but I guess she's still busy."
"It was great, Hotaru is top graduate, I'm so damn proud. Hotaru got the Silver Ace Medal as well, I presented it to her."
Rei's mouth curled up, he was adorable as being a proud trainer.
"That's awesome. Tell her to tell me when she's free tonight, a proud Onee-San wants to talk to her. By the way, when you're leaving?"
"About that. That's why I called. Ada got us hotel rooms until tomorrow and I was thinking to take the Meious out for dinner to celebrate before we leave tomorrow but I wanted to ask you first, if that is okay."
"Awww Babe, that's so cute for you to ask me first about that. Of course, we're talking about your trainee, who just passed her exams, and her mother, which is usually the one that has to patch you up and dip you into Bacta when your doing something stupid again. Inviting them to dinner is the least you can do."
"Okay then. I'll call you before we head out. Don't let this old men get to you."
"I want, as you know I got some practice in this lately. We talk later."
"I love you Rei."
"I love you too. Have fun and enjoy it."
She ended the call and SunTzu walked back over to AICA, telling her that they would leave tomorrow.
"Great, the Ground Crew told me I'll get another cleaning and waxing if I'll stay until the afternoon."
Pilot and AI said their goodbyes until tomorrow and SunTzu left for the reception.
He found Setsuna and Hotaru in the middle of a knot of people, everybody wanted to get to know the flight recruit that already was a triple ace and her beautiful mother that was a Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Corps.
SunTzu waited a bit afar and soon was engaged in conversation with different pilots and trainers about his actions in the war. Taskforce Sol and especially it's snub jockeys already had made themselves quite the name in the Forces.
From the corner of his eyes SunTzu, a glass of a lightly alcoholic, bubbling beverage in hand, could see that a proud of Hotaru being Setsuna was glancing over to him as he was engaged into conversation with the Headmaster, General Cracken and some of the trainers, discussing SunTzu's actions in some of the war's battles.
Being all her graceful self in her uniform while holding a glass of the same beverage SunTzu was having, she sure was a sight to behold and he understood while not only Hotaru was the center of attention, that woman wasn't being any inferior to the other Senshi in terms of beauty.
Good thing I'm with Rei, Setsuna is a goddess.
He blushed for this thinking and downed his glass. Apparently Setsuna noticed that he knew that she was looking at him as she motioned a toast towards him.
They arrived at their hotel at late afternoon and went to their rooms. On the way SunTzu had told the both Senshi that he would like to take them out for dinner tonight to celebrate Hotaru's Pilot Wings. Setsuna was reluctant at first but Hotaru finally managed to persuade her. After all, they were on Coruscant, the pulsing center of the Galaxy, so why not enjoy it, if they had the chance for it. AICA would stay at the academy until tomorrow.
"I have a shitton of people to call back." Hotaru said after she switched her phone back on in the hotel's elevators.
"Language!" Both her mother and her trainer replied simultaneously.
When they arrived at their hotel rooms, SunTzu told Hotaru that he had a gift for her for her passing the exam. He went to his room and a few moments later knocked at the door of their room.
Hotaru opened and he presented her a wrapped gift, obviously clothes.
When she started to open it, her eyes widened and she forgot the careful unpacking wrapping the paper away.
Holding it up she presented it to her Mother.
"Mom, look! It's a flight suit in the colors of AICA, just like SunTzu's.
"Congratulations again." SunTzu smiled at her.
After marveling at the flight suit for a few more moments she jumped onto SunTzu and hugged him happily.
SunTzu smiled wide and his and Setsuna's gaze met. Her happy smile made his even wider.
When Hotaru and SunTzu ended the hug, he looked at his chrono.
"Okay, i'll better take care of a restaurant and get ready. Let's meet up in Hotel Loby in, let's say sixty minutes?"
SunTzu left for his room and after a phone call with his girlfriend, reminding him how much he missed her already, and another short phone call with Ada, asking for restaurant recommendations, he jumped into the shower and got ready.
On the way to the Hotel, Hotaru and him already had decided to wear their uniforms again, today they would be repping Starfighter Corps to the fullest.
"Too bad, you're not full age yet. Today would be perfect to hit up some bars and start fights with Ground Forces and Navy personnel." SunTzu had told in the repulsor taxi back to the hotel.
Which earned them both a very loud throat clearing from Setsuna.
"May I remind you two that you are officers of the Alliance and the Crown and not a bunch of thugs in uniform."
Both pilots looked at each other with a benignly smile as the Doctor said that.
After one hour the two Pilots met in the lobby.
"Mom excused herself, she needs a moment longer."
SunTzu nodded and they sat down in two comfortable armchairs in the lobby, where Hotaru told SunTzu about everybody that had gratulated her already.
Rei had called her up as soon as SunTzu ended the call with her. Michiru and Haruka had called her from the middle of the Desert in Nevada on their maneuver. And when Chibiusa called the pink haired princess began to cry because she was so proud of her boyfriend and best friend that both passed their exams as top of their class. Hotaru used the call to talk to Helios as well and both gratulated each other.
She ended her stories with how Artemis had called her and then mid talk had been non friendly reminded by Luna that it was Hotaru he was talking to and not a random officer of his Taskforce. In the end Luna took over then and gratulated her heartily instead of the formal tone the Admiral used.
Just as the teenager, SunTzu hasn't seen her more happy before, finished the story with Artemis and Luna an elevator opened and Setsuna stepped out.
Dressed in a strapless little black dress and black tights with matching high heels and purse.
Okay SunTzu, don't blush again. Rei, next time please forbid me to invite Setsuna.
The doctor walked up to the two pilots and she noticed the stare of SunTzu.
"What? Did you really expect I wear that grey uniform again?"
The trio left the hotel with a repulsor taxi for the other side of the Senate District and from up in the repulsor car they got some nice view on the lighted up Imperial Palace and Senate Building when they flew past them.
Ada managed to reserve a spot in one of the finest restaurants in the city for them.
When the three earthlings entered the chief waiter curiously had a look at them before he waved another waiter over.
"Starfighter Pilots? Your reserved table would be in the middle of the restaurant but i get you a better one." The waiter said with a grin. "Been flying with the Corps at the end of the Vong Wars."
"Thank you Sir, we appreciate it. We're celebrating the Lieutenant getting her wings today."
The chief waiter smiled friendly to Hotaru.
"Congratulations and clear skies Lieutenant." Then he turned back to SunTzu.
"You must be proud, keeping the family tradition up."
"We are. But we aren't family. I'm her train… Superior."
"Oh, pardon me then. I thought you were family. Anyways if you would follow me to your table."
They were sat at a table at the window, having a wonderful view of the Senate District's skyline.
SunTzu told his two female companions to order whatever they wanted to.
Soon they toasted to Hotaru, the two adults with Daruvvian Champagne and Hotaru with an exotic juice.
"To Lieutenant Hotaru Meiou, the Alliance's newest Fighter Ace, Soldier of Silence, Bane of the Yakuza and Reviler of a guy that happened to be a family member of one of the wealthiest families in the galaxy." SunTzu said as toast and smiling he and the two women clinged their glasses.
Soon they began their multi coursed dinner made out of fine ingredients from all over the universe.
The fact that they served French fries as a side to a nerf steak made for a good laugh at the table as apparently people on Coruscant thought that Fries were high cuisine on earth. But the three earthlings had to admit the fries were great and made an excellent side dish to the nerf steak it was served with.
Just before dessert SunTzu got up and excused himself. Hotaru did the same and the two pilots left for the restroom.
Setsuna was taking a sip of the fine Coruscant blush wine, of which SunTzu and her shared a bottle. The wine was fruity but also dry.
On the neighboring table an elderly couple was enjoying a romantic candle light dinner.
The man and the woman turned around to Setsuna.
"You must be proud of your daughter and your husband. Both of them serving." The friendly, grey haired old lady said to the elegant dressed dark green haired.
For a blink of an eye Setsuna closed her eyes and then began to smile.
"He's not my husband, but my daughter's instructor. But yes, I'm proud of my daughter, she just graduated flight school."
"Our congratulations then. It's a honorable thing to do to join the forces these days, with these shadow war going on." The elderly man said. "For your daughter I wish that this war ends soon."
"Thank you very much, I do hope so as well."
After washing his hands SunTzu quickly checked his phone and had a message from Rei on it.
It read "Scored on that hot MILF yet?" and had a huge amount of LOL-Emojis behind. SunTzu smiled and shook his head when he read it, good thing she didn't have a problem with him inviting the two girls.
"And between us, you and that Pilot seem to get very well with each other. We are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary today, believe me, I know what I'm talking about." The old lady said to Setsuna.
Setsuna's smile faded slightly but she nodded politely.
Just in that moment Hotaru and SunTzu came back from the bathroom.
"Ah, you excuse me, my turn now." Setsuna told and got up as the other two sat down again.
"Congratulations young Lady to your passed training." The old man said and raised his glass to Hotaru, which raised her glass as well, with a big smile and the men's wife and SunTzu followed with their glasses.
In the restroom Setsuna checked her messages, she had received one text message from Rei.
"Hooked up with that hot but slightly lunatic pilot guy yet?" and lots of smileys and winks. Setsuna sighed, her mouth curling up just a bit to wry grin, before she pulled out a lipstick, the same color as her dangling red earrings. She applied fresh lipstick and when she catched her reflection in the mirror afterwards she froze.
You once lead the Palmyrene Empire to greatness and now look at you. What are you doing here Setsuna?
Setsuna arrived back at the table as dessert was arriving.
She sat back down and SunTzu leaned over to here.
"Did you know that this lovely old couple on the neighboring table had his fiftieth wedding anniversary today?" Setsuna nodded knowingly as she put her purse on the table and SunTzu turned to waiter, quietly talking to him, motioning towards the old couple.
"The bill of that table with the lovely couple is on me."
Half an hour later the trio was on their way back to the hotel.
Hotaru was a bit surprised as the mood of her adoptive mother had somewhat dropped and she now acted somehow reserved with SunTzu. That was strange as she had been really joyful the whole day. She usually didn't seem necessarily sad or couldn't be happy or the like but there was this certain vibe of melancholy her adoptive mother always emitted. At least as long Hotaru could think of. And if you'd know her really well you could see it in her eyes.
Except for some instances like most of today.
Could it be that Setsuna-Mama was more joyful with a SunTzu around?
Back in the hotel the trio entered the elevator and went to their floor.
Setsuna just said goodbye and went to her room. SunTzu looked at Hotaru questioningly but the girl just shrugged, she didn't know what was up either.
Next early morning at breakfast Hotaru and Setsuna joined SunTzu. The doctor was back to her Ice Queen demeanor but SunTzu didn't mind much, as he was already used to that behavior. It was just one of her quirks he thought.
"Who's taking AICA home? Me or you?" Hotaru asked her superior.
"I'd love to fly AICA home but your the one that passed training and brought her here as well. I'll take the shuttle flight in early noon." SunTzu answered.
"Cool. Thanks, I'll have to get my stuff from the academy anyways. Hey Mom, want to fly home with me? And see how my flying is, promise my flying will be harmless."
"Nice idea." SunTzu chimed in.
Setsuna thought about it and then nodded.
"Okay, I'll fly with Hotaru. That also means you don't have to get a ticket for me as well SunTzu."
"Oh don't worry, that would have not been a problem at all."
"But so it's not necessary at all. Thank you for the invitation though."
SunTzu nodded, meaning that it was okay.
"Anyways, I should get going then." SunTzu said and got up.
A few minutes later, he was ready to leave and knocked on the door of the two Meious.
Hotaru opened, while Setsuna just stood a few meters away in the room, her stoic gaze well known to SunTzu on.
He said goodbye to Hotaru and the two shared a hug while Setsuna just nodded with a half smile.
"Have a pleasant trip back. And thank you for the invitations."
"Thanks, I see you back at the earth. You're welcome." He nodded at Setsuna before he ruffled Hotaru's hair.
"Later Miss Murder, fly cautious."
Then the pilot left and Hotaru closed the door again.
"Mom, are you okay?" Hotaru turned around and asked Setsuna. "You seem a bit off."
"I guess it's the jetlag." Setsuna shrugged it off.
At the space port SunTzu got a ticket and then gave Rei a headsup of his departure, before he got on some duty free shopping. This time he just took a seat in the buisness class, and soon boarded the shuttle to earth.
Good thing that the amounts of flights to earth had been increased.
