Author's Note:
I'm looking for Beta Readers to improve the quality.
After the first Battle
Not even four hours later he was up again, wearing his formal uniform and standing in line at the dining hall, waiting for his breakfast. He was still tired as hell and could feel the last days in his bones. He was so tired that he actually forgot to shave but he didn't care right now.
He slept like a stone and just before he woke up, he had a very pleasant dream about a dark haired woman that told him she'd follow him to the end of time and universe. Just as she was about to turn around and reveal her face his phone woke him up, with Marvin calling and telling him to be at the Operation Center at 9am.
No rest for the weary.
He decided to eat there this time and as he was halfway through his breakfast his both wingmen sat down next to him. Haruka looked at least as tired as he did, Michiru on the other hand looked pretty fit.
They greeted each other and Michiru asked how he was.
"Except from being tired and worn, I feel okay I guess. One thing is nagging on me and that's how easy it was to kill someone."
"It's kill or be killed out there." Haruka answered. "I don't like it, but it is what it is. After all we were protecting innocent and ourselves. Would you'd prefer if it was one of us. Ami for example?"
"No. It's just weird how easy it actually is. And I have to admit I enjoyed the rush of combat" SunTzu said quietly.
"I know what you mean. But don't forget that your actions yesterday saved a lot of people, including us too." Haruka replied.
"Guess you're right." SunTzu nodded slowly.
"It's good that you reflect. But don't forget, those guy were Pirates and about to kill some innocent spacers. And they were more than willingly to kill us. You had to do what you had to do. And you saved yourself and others, me and Haruka included." Michiru participated in the conversation. "Don't be so hard to yourself." She took on a warm smile. "Also, it's way too early and we're all too tired for this kind of conversation."
He agreed. They finished breakfast and draw some conclusions regarding their flying together yesterday and then left for the Operation Center.
They sat down behind Marvin and the Rest of the squadron and greeted each other. The King, Artemis and other officers were also already there and brooded over the map on the center table. Team 1 sat at the other tribune opposite of them.
Marvin told them, that he had to talk with the three of them later on. They were talking about yesterday's battle when the door opened and the five Inner Senshi walked in. All transformed but wearing sunshades. Looks like SunTzu and Haruka weren't the only ones, that were tired. They waved at each other.
They sat down on the row behind them. Rei was sitting behind Haruka, SunTzu turned around.
"Had a long night?" he asked her.
"I could ask you the same Top Gun. By the way, what happened with being accurately shaved Lieutant? Fighting mechanical Cockroaches made you badass now?" She replied ironically.
"You know, after becoming a man yesterday I decided to rebel against the establishment now. Beginning with not shaving" He let her know. Both shared the hints of smiles.
"Why do we have to do that so early? I slept for two hours!" Makoto complained. "Venus! Wake up for God's Sake!" She violently shook the blonde girl that sat there motionless and with a slight open mouth.
Venus jumped up and almost slipped from the bench.
"Why you guys are transformed? Don't tell me we're heading out immediately again." SunTzu asked.
Michiru and Haruka looked at each other and started laughing. The Inner Senshi shared Looks between each other till Ami chimed in.
"When we transform it applies make-up and does our hair and clothes. No need to do that on our own then." She said sheepish.
"So, to save time and still look presentable you girls transformed rather than to put on make-up on your own?" SunTzu asked.
The girls answered with apologizing shrugs.
SunTzu decided that he should really take some time to soon think about where he landed here.
Setsuna and Hotaru entered and while Setsuna looked neat as a pin in a Galactic Alliance Medical Corps Uniform while Hotaru entered in sweat pants and a top, looking she didn't sleep at all. Setsuna greeted the rest and they sat down next to Michiru. Hotaru, who was sitting beside the teal haired woman put her head on Michiru's shoulder and yawned.
They waited for five minutes when Sailor Mercury waved the King over and they had a whispered conversation. Mercury nodded with a sigh and the King got back to the map table in the middle, looking a bit embarrassed.
"What are we waiting for?" Rei asked slightly irritated.
"We're waiting for Neo Queen Serenity and the Princess to start." Ami answered in a neutral tone.
"Of course. Anyone wanna bet that Usagi overslept again?" Rei asked.
"She definitely overslept." Makoto replied.
"Some things never change." Minako chimed in.
All the Senshi let out a sigh while SunTzu was looking to them with a questioningly look in his face.
A few minutes later the door opened again and Princess and Neo-Queen tried to enter simultaneously, wedging each other together in the process.
A lot of sighing and face-palming from the Senshi, Artemis and the King followed.
I really have to think about where I landed here, SunTzu thought.
After they struggled themselves free, the Queen and Sailor Chibi-Moon, who was also transformed, entered the room. The queen went over to the King and Artemis, Chibi-Moon sat down next to Setsuna, giving her a kiss on the cheek and then greeted Hotaru and the rest.
The Queen walked up in front of the table, adressing the waiting Warriors.
"Good Morning. And excuse me for being a bit too late." she started. "First and foremost I want to sincerely thank all of you for yesterday night. We saved over 50 people and thanks to our fast and courageous Intervention only a handful of the Freighters were hurt, with no casualties." She paused.
"Taskforce Sol had his baptism of Fire yesterday and succeeded everyone's expectations! The RASP Unit that relieved us, was speechless that not even twenty people cleared that pirate base in just under two hours. Me, as well as the King and your Commanding Officer are very proud of you and GA High Command congratulates us to this successful mission."
Joyful although tired cheering followed. Usagi went on after it died down.
„Sailor Mercury spent the rest of the night analyzing data from the raid and they have been sent to Coruscant for further investigation. I want to personally thank her again for the selfless dedication." heads turned and people cheered for a embarrassed looking Ami.
"We're heading for Yinchorr today, linking up with our ground troops already there for training. The next few days will be packed with training exercises for all of you, Senshi included. You have the rest of the Day, shouldn't emergencies appear, Off-Duty. Use it to get some rest, you'll be busy the next few days. You're dismissed."
Marvin turned around to Haruka, SunTzu and Michiru while the rest of the pilots stood up and went their way.
„Listen Guys, after yesterday and talking with Artemis and Odegana, i decided to outsource you out of the Squadron for the time being. You're better off being self-sufficient than with a squadron, although we're still looking to expand Terra Squadron. You guys function very well as an small strike unit. he explained to the three wingmen that were listen carefully to his words.
„That sequence in the Asteroid field reinforced me in this and I was actually thinking about it for before SunTzu even came. Both your Fighters are way too special to be used aside Headhunters. I'll still be your superior and will be there if you need anything, so don't worry about that. It just gives us way more flexibility."
The two girls and SunTzu nodded and agreed. So they were there kinda on their own. And it was up to them to further proof their unique qualities.
Together they walked back to their rooms.
„Good work Mate. Two days with you as wingman and we're out of the squadron." Haruka teased SunTzu.
„Yeah, because I led us to bigger things so we don't stall as opportunists in a Headhunter-Squadron!" SunTzu replied mocking her back.
„You guys only know each other for a few days and already behave like an old couple." Michiru dropped in. The two pilots jerked to a stop, while she walked on and crossed her hands behind her head. SunTzu and Haruka glanced at each other and then turned away.
„Not at all!" they both replied at the same time.
„Yeah, yeah. Don't worry, I'll find a way to take advantage out of it, if just for the fun of it." she said and waved up a hand. This was the start of a friendship she thought.
Keeping silent the two pilots followed Michiru.
Soon they arrived at their floor and Michiru teased Haruka.
"Haruka my dear, how about you give me a massage now? Or shall I rather ask your new better half If he gives me one." She said with a challenging grin and pointed at her new comrad.
SunTzu blushed and disappeared in his room while Haruka just let out a long sigh. Michiru knew how to push his buttons.
After taking a small nap of four hours SunTzu took his off time to wander the ship and get to know it. He ended up at the observation deck again and decided to stay a bit and do some star gazing.
They even had a special space for smokers there, perfect. He sat there and smoked a cigarette thinking to himself how crazy his life had became since he woke up in that tank on Kamino. Was he a soldier and a pilot before? Or was he just a regular dude? Was he doing all this voluntary?
His phone vibrated and he saw he got a message telling him to come over at the MedBay by chance to get his hand checked again. The number was signed with Setsuna Meiou.
Shaking off all the questions he had, he extinguished his cigarette and left for the MedBay.
He arrived at the MedBay and asked for Dr. Meiou, a medic brought him over to a small examination room, where she was sitting at a computer, writing something. She had a doctor's coat over her uniform now.
"Just a Minute." She told without looking up.
She finished writing and turned around on her chair. Even now she didn't really show any sign of tiredness.
"Oh Lieutenant, I didn't expect you that fast here."
"I wasn't busy anyway. Hello Dr. Meiou."
"Please sit down on the examination couch and take off your jacket, I'll have a look at your hand. And please, call me Setsuna."
He sat down and she rolled forward to him on her chair, pulling up his sleeve and taking off the bandage Minako applied to him yesterday.
"Looks fine, no scar tissue, burn marks or anything else left over." she said examining his hand. "I wish we had access to Bacta before. So many lives could have been safed with it." Her gaze drifted off for a moment.
"Any other issues regarding your health? Any problems with your head regarding the day before yesterday?" She snapped back to here and now and asked.
"Im fine, a bit of sore muscles but I guess that's natural for participating in combat." He said with wry smile.
She nodded and turned around, opening one of the drawers in the desk behind here.
"Apply this, it will help." She gave him a salve against muscular pain and tensions.
"Thanks Doc, appreciate it." he said holding the tube up.
"Least I can do. Listen Lieutenant…"
"Please, call me SunTzu, like everybody else." He interrupted her.
"Okay, listen… SunTzu, I didn't thanked you yet for saving Hotaru yesterday. Thank you, thank you dearly. I mean it."
"As I already told her, you're more than welcome. I'm just doing what I swore to do."
She nodded and smiled slightly.
"For my part we are done." She replied then.
"And do me a favor. Try to take care of yourself too." she urged him.
"Will do. But lately I have this tendency to end in dangerous situations." He answered as he got up. "See you around, but hopefully not in this room." he bid her goodbye.
"Hope so. Goodbye."
He left the MedBay and thought about how different the cold blooded warrior from yesterday was to the doctor he just met.
Since he was good so far he decided to get at least some Cardio in, maybe it would even help with his sore muscles.
After changing he arrived in the ship's gym.
Of course parts of Team 1 including Makoto were going at it already.
On a area that was laid out with Mats and functioned as Close Quarter Training Area, Sailor Saturn was training with her Silence Glaive, wearing training clothes.
She was jumping, jabbing, dekeing and spinning with her weapon, making it look more like a dance than training for combat.
After finishing her exercise, she recognized him and nodded as greeting. Taking a bottle of water she had near her and downing a big sip she came over to him, Glaive in her hand.
"Up for a sparring session? We got some wood sticks around here and I heard you trained with Jedi."
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, but I'm still a bit sore from my run-in into that Droideka yesterday. And you seem like someone who wants me to fight at my best. Next time." he apologizing said.
At least one day of not doing stupid stuff he thought to himself.
"Okay, but next time it's on. I'll keep it in mind." She said and got back to her exercise.
Great, now the Grim Reaper's Teenage Daughter wanted to sparr with him. Maybe he should contact Master Durron and ask for another deployment, something more safe. Mine Clearing in the Outer Rim. Or Rancor Taming on Dathomir.
He walked over to the treadmills and got on one. He opted for a thirty minute run and got going.
A few treadmills further he could make out the pink haired Princess, struggling to keep up. He bowed slightly when she looked over and he turned on his tunnel vision and looked straight.
He didn't take it too hard and at least some of his muscles felt better after.
He walked over to a drinking fountain and drank some cold, refreshing water.
"Don't forget, you owe me a fight!" Hotaru yelled in passing, with the Princess next to her. The pink haired girl looked completely done.
He turned around and nodded politely with a fake smile and waved goodbye.
Could a juvenile Rancor hurt him more than Sailor Saturn actually likely would.
He took and shower and then strolled to the hangar and checked on AICA. After they gave each other the latest updates, he took his weapons in and gave them a thorough cleaning in his room. Basic training with them followed. He made a mental note to stock up on ammo again too.
Soon after he received a message from Michiru, asking if he'd be up for dinner with the two of them. Good timing, he was starving.
He texted he'll be right out and they told him they were waiting in the lounge nearby.
He strolled over and found his two wingman along with Setsuna, Luna, Diana, Chibiusa and Hotaru there.
Diana was sitting on Setsuna's lap, being hugged from beyond and very busy drawing. The two teenage girls were sitting left and right from Setsuna and they all were playing with her.
Diana was overflowing with Joy and Luna, who was sitting opposite of Setsuna observed the scene with a happy smile. Even Saturn and Pluto were smiling beamingly, giving a completely look to their usual stoic and cold expressions, especially Pluto seemed to be more than happy.
Neptune and Uranus were sitting on a couch nearby and watched the whole thing smiling.
SunTzu walked over and although it was a strange scene to find on a warship he thought it to be wholesome and smiled too, it was strange to see the Saturn and Pluto like that after their performance yesterday.
He greeted everybody, beginning with a bow towards Chibiusa, which made Saturn chuckle.
"Please, I'm not the queen yet and we're among our own. I'm Chibiusa." the pink haired princess introduced herself.
"SunTzu." he nodded thankfully. "I see you girls are having fun."
"Yessss, look what i drew!" Diana told him and proudly showed the picture she just finished. He looked at it and praised her which made her smile even wider.
Luna turned to him with a smile and back to her daughter.
"Time for bed Sweetheart."
Small opposition followed and was fastly defeated by the promise that Hotaru, Setsuna and Chibiusa were coming along to say goodnight.
While they packed up the toys and drawing material SunTzu went over two his two female wingmen.
"Look Haruka, the new co-worker actually came to the dinner date I proposed him." Michiru mocked her girlfriend, which just rolled her eyes.
"Hungry?" Haruka told and got up.
"Hungry." SunTzu responded and after saying good night to Diana, they went off to the cafeteria.
"You seemed a bit surprised when you came over." Michiru stated.
"Yeah, unusual scene on a warship. Also that differed from the Sailor Saturn and Sailor Pluto I saw yesterday night." He responded.
"Setsuna often seems cold, especially in combat but she really cares about her close ones. And her patients. Also she adores kids. And Hotaru usually just needs time to warm up with people but she's a lovely girl. Although see is a bit rebellious these times. Teenagers!" Michiru explained.
As they were walking down the ship, Haruka took the word.
"I hope you like English Food Fritz, it's Fish'n'Chips Friday."
"Oh don't worry, Mate, since it's Fish it's okay for me. We eat fish on Friday, where I come from. At least I think we do." SunTzu replied.
"Isn't that nice, you both just found a common ground about something." Michiru chimed in, smiling happily.
Both Pilots just looked at her sceptical.
Dinner was pretty peaceful, mostly because both pilots were busy stuffing their faces with fish and chips. Michiru however was all grace as usual.
Afterwards they strolled back to their rooms, talking about what kind of training was coming up the next few days.
When they arrived SunTzu excused himself because he wanted to finally get back to study the data Ami gave him a few days ago and said goodnight to them.
This time he really studied for hours and exceptional didn't fall asleep reading but on his own terms after he finished.
The next morning the FarSide and their passengers arrived at the rocky planet of Yinchorr, Home of a training Facility of the Galactic Alliance Forces.
Soon they started their four days of training and the days went by quickly.
When they weren't training in space or Sky, with or against Terra Squadron, SunTzu was on the ground, exercising with Team 1 and the two girls training their combat as Senshi.
The training was successful tho, SunTzu could use the opportunity to be the intersection between Sky and ground and train some Close Air Support Missions with the Voyager and the other Air/ Space Assets of the Taskforce. Even AICA was able to do some basic gun runs without Pilot after a few days. Her learning AI was impressive and the A-Wing flying on its own was the spectacle of the base.
He also trained Bombing runs as her pilot but wouldn't let her do that on her own yet, because he didn't want to generate any risk for the own troops on the ground.
The training was tough, especially Team 1 grinded him a lot but also gave him lots of insight to fight better and especially when it came to Reconnaissance and Concealing oneself.
Team 1 built a reputation after two days for the expertise in the Recon Field and because of that befriended two GA Units training there too. Scout Team Forn, of the Imperial Remnants 2nd Legion and a Deep Recon Team from the GA Special Forces stationed in the Outer Rim. Both very capable units too and way above the average of the regular GA Forces. It was never bad to have capable friends in places Makoto stressed.
SunTzu also met the commander of the Hover Tank Platoon the TaskForce around the FarSide deployed, a German called Christian Schmitt. It was nice to know that there were other Germans on the ship too.
The Tank Platoon fielded four 2M-Saber Hover Tanks, also prominently used by the Galactic Empire and its Remnant.
They usually worked in as combined arms unit with parts of the two regular Infantry Companies that were part of the Task Force. The Infantry fought dismounted from Imperial Troop Transport Hover Vehicles when they joined the Tanks. The unit was able to quickly strike in this composition. The other Infantry company was specialized in Airborne Deployments and would be transported via the Lartys to the Battlefield.
All in all the Taskforce was not big and fit for prolonged or conventional warfare but very capable as Fast Strike Force for surgical strikes.
AICA and the Voyager excelled in Fighter Training, proofing to be too much for Terra Squadron, with only Marvin giving them a hard time.
After four hard but fruitful days the Taskforce loaded up on the Far Side again and left for Earth, which took another day.
Everybody was exhausted and most of the crew and accompanying troops tried to relax and take it easy therefore it was quite silent on board.
SunTzu, who was not less exhausted than the rest took the time to meditate and getting better with the flow of the Force. He also was practicing Force Telekinesis with small things like his lighter inside his room in what little spare time he had. After four days he was at least able to let the Lighter float above his hand but he was still struggling in making it move around.
It was evening when suddenly someone banged on his door.
He stood up and walked over. The banging just got more aggressive.
"What the hell… Oh Makoto, what's up? What's going on?"
Makoto stood there, dressed in combat pants and a tank top, as well as an Army Cap.
"Lieutant, we're having a drink with the rest of the Team. Let's go!" She told him with a big grin.
"Now?" he asked, looking surprised.
"Of course now. And now c'mon, that's an order soldier!" She said as she turned around and started walking.
They walked to the next turbolift and descended further down the ship's insides.
Soon they arrived at the quarters of team 1 that pretty much resembled the inside of their barracks, just smaller.
Everyone was sitting around some
tables fit into each other and three bottles of strong Sartinaynian Brandy were placed on them as well as few sixpacks of beer.
"Guys, I brought our honored guest with me!" Jupiter said as she lead SunTzu into the room. Cheering followed and Rudy got up from his chair.
"Welcome Lieutenant, apart from celebrating the end of the trip this is also your welcome Party. Don't worry, we'll go easy with you. As always!" Rudy told him ironically. "Please take a seat." SunTzu did as told and sit down as did Mako. Rudy stayed up and explained:
"We won three bottles of finest Brandy from the guys of Forn, as we beat them in shooting on the range! Stuff is older than Bastion has been Capital of the Remnant."
He distributed some cups to everyone and opened the first bottle.
"Captain, would you give us the honor?" he said to Makoto and handed her the bottle as she stood up.
"With pleasure. Lieutenant, if you would hold up your cup." She looked over to SunTzu, that raised his cup after her words.
And she filled it up completely with the dark brown liquid, his eyes went big as he stared.
As she was done she filled up the others cups, although not even half than what she pulled in his cup.
"Lieutenant SunTzu", she started and motioned SunTzu to stand up "At attention please!" He rose to a formal attentive stand.
"As commanding officer of Taskforce Sol Special Operation Forces it's my pleasure to at least partly welcome you to Team 1. You may drink now!"
The whole table started shouting "Chug! Chug! Chug!", demanding to down the whole cup in one sip. Well, Moma didn't raise no bitch, at least he was pretty sure about this, so he gave in to another stupid idea and chugged the whole thing down in one go.
It burned, like hell actually but also didn't taste that bad to be honest.
When the cup was empty he turned the cup around to show that it was empty. The whole table cheered and toasted to him.
What followed was a night of excessive drinking, testosterone filled challenges which weren't limited to the males and some crazy stories from the Team Members that already were Veterans of former Wars.
He woke up bare chested in one of the showers of the dorm and needed a moment. A throbbing pain reminded him pretty fast on what he was doing last night.
He walked out of the shower and was greeted by Team 1 laughing their asses off as he walked out of the shower.
After getting more than enough mocked by Team 1 he grabbed his shirt from where he sat and headed back to his room. Checking his chrono and seeing that it was around 8am and that he still had some time till the Cruiser would arrive at the Earth. Walking around just made his head feel worse but it didn't help.
He got to his room, showered and chugged down a bottle of water against the thirst he felt. Then he put on a flight suit and a pair of sunglasses and headed out to get some food, that would help him feel better maybe.
At the cafeteria he saw a cooing Michiru and Haruka enjoying themselves and breakfast. When they saw him, they laughed and waved him over.
"Oh, you actually survived. I wasn't so sure?" Haruka told him with a big grin.
"How do you know?" he asked her.
Both woman looked at each other and smiled even more. Haruka pulled her phone out and showed it to him. Jupiter took a Picture when he fell asleep in the shower and of course sent it to the rest of the girls.
His jaw dropped. The second time in one week he shortly contemplated murder against a superior officer again and again it was against Makoto. He blushed and his wingmen started laughing.
"Slept well at least. It looked like you were really comfortable?" Michiru asked kindly and nipped on her coffee to not show her smile.
He just sat there facepalming and asked himself if jumping out of an airlock was an option.
He got some breakfast and coffee and shoved it down in silence while the two Senshi gave him a hard time.
Some time passed and Minako appeared at the table.
"Ah SunTzu, I was looking for you, good morning. Since you didn't open the door i thought you could be here. I figured you probably have headache so i got you this." She hold two painkillers up. Thanking god for sending this blonde angel he nodded and took them, downing them with a cup of orange juice he got with breakfast.
"Thank you Minako. You're godsend. Oh and good morning."
She blushed a bit after being told that she was godsend and sat down next to him.
"Did you have fun at least?" She asked.
"I had till your fellow Senshi shared a shot of me passed out in the shower." he answered.
"Oh, don't worry. The girls will forget that very soon." Minako tried to build him up.
"Not me. I'll saved it as his Caller ID already." Haruka chimed in, earning a grim
look from SunTzu.
Few minutes later the painkillers started to kick in and his head felt better.
"Feeling better?" Minako asked as he was finishing his breakfast. She got herself a cappuccino and was sipping it.
"Yes, thank you again Minako. Sartinaynian Brandy is a helluva drug. Stay away from it, if you can."
"Will do", she nodded enthusiastically and smiled at him.
Afterwards, and after Haruka asked him, if he was sober enough to get there or needed help, he went back to his room and started to pack the stuff he was about to take with him. Also he called AICA over the chrono and asked her for news. Even his damn Starship had access to the goddamn pic and made comments. He facepalmed again. Being not fit he decided to let AICA now, that she should get from the ship to the hangar on her own and he would find another way to get to the flight center.
He laid for another couple of hours and was awakened by an alarm he set on his chrono. It was one hour before they would land.
It banged on his door again, this time it was more civilized.
He opened and immediately stood at attention.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry." he greeted the King.
"At ease Lieutenant. I just came here to let you know that the Lartys going to the palace will be leaving soon and that you might take one too. Better than walking from the ship to the Flight Center. If you don't fly in your own starfighter that is".
"Actually not, I don't feel fit enough to fly to be honest. You know Team 1 welcomed me as one of their one yesterday." SunTzu said with a wry smile.
"I heard about that. Head up over to the Hangar so. Oh and by the way, we're having a banquet at the palace tonight to celebrate our success at the CTE these days. I'd be honored if you could join us. If you're feeling well enough that is." Endymion answered also with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll be good till then." SunTzu stated honestly.
"Excellent. See you later." the king nodded.
"My king." SunTzu bowed.
He got his bag and headed up to the Hangar, there he bid goodbyes to AICA and Karlena and told them, that he'll see them tomorrow before he headed out for one of the Gunships, now all four were on board.
He also had a small chat with Marvin, as the Pilots of Terra Squadron and their leader entered the Hangar shortly after him. Marvin told him, that they'll see each other at the banquet tonight. Then Marvin went off to his A-Wing and SunTzu got on board of one of the LAAT/is as it's first passenger, greeted the crew and crept up in the back as far as he could and sat down, leaning against the ship and dropping his luggage next to him.
From where he could see that the hangar slowly filled itself. Terra Squadron just left it also.
He was closing his eyes and dosed a bit when something landed next to him.
„Mind if I sit there?" Luna, now the black cat with the gold crescent on her forehead again, asked.
He shook his head, but instead to next to him she jumped on his lap, stretched and laid out like a regular cat would do.
This felt strange.
„Don't worry Lieutenant, I'm a married woman." she informed him. „It's just so much more comfortable."
„Uhh, okay. If you say so." he answered a bit perplex and she giggled a bit. Slowly more people came on board, mostly Guardsmen and some Soldiers.
Luna had laid her head down and purred slightly. Out of a habit he started to pet her behind her ear.
Guess now I know that I like Cats he thought to himself.
The black cat started to purr louder and SunTzu found it to be very relaxing. At least this flight would be enjoyable and quiet.
"I heard the girls are having way too much fun with giving you a hard time Lieutenant." Luna told after a time. "I'm sorry, sometimes they still behave like Teenagers. Don't be mad with them, deep down they're still good girls."
"It's all good, at least they keep me on my toes. Although I have to say my first week here was everything but boring, also thanks to these girls." He smiled and Luna answered with a smile too, before she laid down again and enjoyed being petted again.
The Inner Senshi entered the Transport and went also to the back.
Makoto told the Crew Chief to close the side doors and don't open them before they were landed.
"Look, Luna found Robinson Crusoe. Ah wait. No. It's just the new Pilot." Rei yelled as she catched sight of them. In that moment they took off.
"Hey TopGun, you still in your rebel phase or was shaving just too dangerous with the amount of Brandy in your veins?"
Friendly as always he thought as he felt on his face. He hadn't shaved since five days and he decided to keep the beard and grow it out a bit. After all he was a badass Commando now too.
"I think it suits him very well. You look good with a beard, SunTzu." Minako barged in.
"Girls, please don't yell so loud." Makoto didn't look so healthy either.
"What's wrong? Is there Karma and you have a hangover too Captain?" SunTzu asked her ironically.
"I was not as drunk as you've been!" She responded.
"That's because I had to drink more than anybody else!" he justified himself.
"Guys, please no reason to get loud. I'm sure the Lieutenant isn't used to drinking with Team 1. And Makoto, don't forget your not a Saint either. May I remember you on that one night in Roppongi last fall?" Ami rose to speak.
Rei and Minako started laughing.
"That was one crazy night!" Mina stated.
"Damn, I wanna go home." A mad Mako stated.
"Me too, I'm looking forward to Ryu. I miss him a lot on these trips." Ami told, with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Same for me with Kenji." Mako stated.
"Ain't Love grand." Rei said and she and Minako sighed.
"Talking about Love. Is there already someone in your Life? Are you even married as are these two lucky bitches?" Minako asked SunTzu and pointed at Ami and Makoto, earning a dark glance from Mako.
"No, not that I would know of. But you know my mind isn't the best right now. But it doesn't feel like it." he answered honestly.
While Mina started smiling because of the answer, Rei had her own comment on this.
"Probably divorced. Two times." She said mockingly with a ironic face.
SunTzu was working on a counter but the hangover didn't make it any easier.
"Girls give the Man a break." Luna intervened motherly. "He had a hard week."
"Any idea how you're going home to your apartment? Wanna carpool again?" Ami asked him.
"That would be awesome. Thanks Ami."
In that moment the Larty landed at a small landing place in the back of the Courtyard. The Pilot made extra sure, that he was on the ground before he opened the side doors.
Luna jumped up from his lap and landed next to the girls. SunTzu got also up and grabbed his bag. People spilled out, while he, Luna and the Senshi waited to leave the Transport.
"Excuse me, he said and passed the girls gently.
As everybody else was out he jumped out, dropped his bag and waited at the door to help each of the girls out of the Gunship.
This earned him reactions ranging from a "TopGun, I didn't know that you're actually an Officer and a Gentleman" from Rei to a wink and some flirtatious playing with her hair from Minako.
The last to exit was actually Luna and she actually transformed back to her Human form before she left.
"A man, that knows how to behave." She stated approving after being back on earth.
He took his bag back up and followed the women.
Luna told them that she would stay here and wait for Artemis and Diana that would take the same Transporter as the Royal Majesties. They told her they'd see each other later and went off for the car pool and parking lot.
Ami and SunTzu got into Ami's Car and left while the other three girls got into the car of Minako.
The drive home went smooth and fast and the two were just chatting about how nice it was to be home again and what they were up to the last few days.
They rolled up at SunTzu's Apartment Building.
SunTzu asked if he would meet Ami's husband tonight and she told him, that her Husband wasn't really the man for momentous occasions but they all could get some coffee tomorrow afternoon. SunTzu agreed to the opinion and Ami told him, she would pick him up later on again, with more Info.
He got into his apartment and took the time to contact AICA, asking If everything went right. She made a bit of a scene because she had to fly alone but that was mostly just acting up. She was good. He told her, that he'll be there tomorrow morning to make up for it. She mocked him and told him to not get drunk again.
He unpacked his stuff and saw he had some time to pass. Looking in the mirror he decided that he could use a haircut. He googled for a barber nearby and went off.
Self Care is necessity after all
Not even a hour later he was back at home again, with a firm haircut and feeling better. He took a shower and rinsed away the last of his hangover with it. Although his eyes still looked a bit tired he looked socially presentable again, as he got dressed in an officers uniform.
Shortly after Ami was back and they drove back to the palace. Ami opted for an uniform too. They both commented that it was about time for a common Uniform for the Taskforce and laughed. Further on they spoke about tomorrow and she informed him, that coffee tomorrow was a go and that her Husband was eager to get to know the pilot of the speaking spacefighter.
The palace looked different than usual, it was enlighted by flood lights and only the Honor Guard was visible, not the combat ready troops. Although SunTzu was sure they were still there. Valets greeted Guests at the steps of the main entrance and parked cars for their owners.
SunTzu nervously looked to Ami.
"Nobody told you?" she asked.
"Told me what?" He answered with a question.
"It's not only for the TaskForce, some important people from outside like politicians, ambassadors and attachés are also present. But don't worry, it's not that they are near us. It's more that they are invited. They'll be lucky if they even see the Queen having dinner."
Great, good thing he was feeling better again.
A Valet took Ami's car and as they arrived at the entrance doors of the palace they were greeted by Marvin, dressed in his uniform with various decorations including a medal stating he has been a Combatant in the Swarm Wars.
Ami excused herself and entered the building.
"How are you doing? Feeling better?" Marvin asked the younger pilot.
"Im Good again. Maybe just a bit nervous. I'm not the type for occasions like this." SunTzu responded.
"Better get used to it. As Guardian of the Queen and Officer of the Crown there will be more activities like that down the line." Marvin told him with a sympathetic smile. "C'mon, let's get this over with. Just shake hands and be nice if someone comes over to you."
First there was a champagne reception at the main ballroom. After yesterday SunTzu decided to stay with pure Orange Juice though.
Some people came over to them from time to time and him and Marvin got busy shaking hands. The Military Attaché of the US Embassy was pretty interested in details about the battle at the CTE a few days ago. Both pilots were professionals enough to say nothing with a lot of words. And still detail out what big of a success the mission was.
As the Attaché left again, he and Marvin turned around and Marvin told. SunTzu downed his sexond
„Maybe you were right. I'm not build for this either. Next time, I'll check us in for special combat aviation training to save us from this."
A servant informed the Attendees that it was now time for dinner and the people started to stroll into another room where big round tables were aligned.
A few of the tables as well as a long rectangular dinner table were positioned a bit secluded from the rest of the room, with the round tables covering the rectangular one even more.
"Good thing the King and Queen value their privacy", Marvin said as he headed for the secluded tables.
SunTzu could see some of other pilots and members of the ground troops at the secluded round tables and guessed they were for Taskforce Members only. And the Rectangular Table probably for the Inner Royal Court.
He followed Marvin as a whistle sounded off from the larger table.
Makoto was waving at him and pointing to a seat between her and Haruka.
Oh no, that was too much for him now.
"Looks like you'll be the missing link between Space and Ground Forces, Lieutenant." Marvin joked.
"Ah you know, I'm good. I'm not important enough to sit there." SunTzu explained himself while Makoto's pointing at the seat got more aggressive.
"You're wrong SunTzu. Actually the queen demands your presence at her table. So please, follow me." Michiru walked up and politely motioned at the table, hiding a smile."
Marvin nodded, surpressing a smile and told him to have fun while he'd stay her with the lower folks.
Somehow SunTzu had the impression that Marvin knew that before.
Michiru was wearing a dark green dress, making her hair color even stand out more. As he followed her he catched himself thinking how lucky Haruka was. He shook the thought off and got to the table.
Michiru placed herself on the opposite side of Haruka, which only had eyes for her. She, as well as Jupiter, were dressed in their service uniforms.
Mako pulled the chair he was supposed to sit on out and he sat down.
"About time that you come over. I was starting to feel like a lunatic." She said.
"Good evening Makoto, nice to see you too." He answered sarcastically. "I wasn't sure I was even allowed at this table, to be honest."
His wingmen and the Special Forces Officer looked at him.
"But you're one of us, a guardian of the royal family, so you sit at our table. That's only natural." Makoto told him with a shrug.
"But don't you worry, you don't have to wear a short skirt and bows now. If you don't want to of course. If you want, we're cool." Haruka chimed in.
Oh, he almost had forgotten why he wanted to sit at another table.
"Oh and I wanted you to sit here to let Haruka unmistakably know, that being a soldier on the ground is better than being a space jockey." Jupiter said nonchalant, taking a sip from a glass of water.
"It's not. Flying has a grace and honor that ground combat never could have. Ground combat is like a bar brawl with guns." Haruka retorted, looking angrily at Makoto.
"Oh yeah, as if you could occupy a city or a planet just with Snubs. Good luck with that!" Makoto turned to Haruka.
SunTzu ducked down on the table.
"Try to bring as much firepower as the Voyager to a fight." Haruka responded.
SunTzu sighed.
How tall was a juvenile Rancor? And how hard was it really to teach them to be used as mount?
Ami appeared at the table and sat down on the opposite side of SunTzu's place.
"What's happening?" She asked.
"Oh, just the usual discussion between Haruka and Makoto about which branch is better. And SunTzu is trying to get out of the crossfire." Michiru answered
"Ah, so basically the usual stuff. Except for the collateral damage." Ami nodded knowingly.
"Exactly" Michiru told.
In that moment Minako and Rei showed up, Minako in a white dress with orange LV Symbols and Rei in a red ball gown. They both looked stunning but came to the table with exhausted looks in their faces and half empty Champagne Glasses in their hands.
„God, I hate these events." Minako told while she sat down next to Makoto.
Rei sat down too. The girls downed the rest of their champagne and motioned for a nearby waiter to fill them up again.
SunTzu had to concentrate to not stare at her.
"Two Hours of acting friendly towards stubborn old man, that are actually more interested in drooling over me than in contributing the smallest amount to peace in the Galaxy. I don't know how you do that Rei." Minako complained further. Rei just shrugged.
Also Naru and Umino showed up and Naru settled down at the left end of the table with Umino on her right. This was a good sign that the Dinner would begin soon, everybody was hungry.
Shortly after a fanfare sounded off and a big door to an adjacent room opened. The Neo-Queen, as usual in Gold and white, but this time in a more festive dress, and the King, dressed in a white Tuxedo entered the room and everybody stood up and applauded.
They were followed in short distance by Luna and Artemis.
They gave a small speech thanking the attendees for coming and honored the Taskforce for it's successful mission. People applauded politely and the Royal Couple and their adjutants settled at the table the Senshi were sitting. The queen was sitting at the right head of the table with the king on her right and Luna to her left, Artemis was sitting in between Minako and Luna.
Someone asked where Saturn, Pluto and Chibiusa were and Ami explained that they were on a mission.
Before Dinner was served King Endymion gave a small toast to the attending members of the TaskForce, that were sitting on the three secluded tables and thanked them again for their engagement.
A multiple course dinner followed with some exquisite fushion food.
The food was actually so good it made it worth it to sit between Haruka and Makoto and their mocking, SunTzu thought. To be honest he had a ready tongue too and gave them a good dose of shittalking too. All in all it was a fun evening and he enjoyed it thoroughly, but it would have been even better if he would have found more time to talk to Rei.
After Dessert he went up the stairs and entered the balcony of the Frontal Palace Building to catch some fresh air and enjoy a cigarette.
He was just about to light his cigarette when a voice behind him sounded off.
"Mind if I disturb your loneliness?"
He turned around to see Rei standing behind him, wearing a stole over her dress and holding a cigarette In her hands. The night was clear but a bit chill.
No, not at all. Why don't you stay the whole night. Or forever.
"Not at all." he responded and offered her fire. While she lighted her cigarette he got lost in her blue eyes for a moment.
She seemed lost in thoughts the whole evening already and her eyes spoke off a certain sadness tonight.
"You okay? You're so quiet tonight." He asked her and lighted his own cigarette.
She took a drag and blew the smoke out.
"Oh TopGun, i don't think you'd understand." She said with a melancholic voice in her tone and sighed, walking to the balcony's balustrade and looking up to the sky where a big half moon hang above the palace.
"Do you believe in Destiny?" She turned around and looked at him.
Her fine featured face was beautifully illuminated by the moon light and her raven hair gave a nice contrast to the red of her dress as some strands of it fell over her shoulder.
Her beauty stung him on the inside for a second and he needed a moment to focus.
"I believe in the Force. And that the Force guides us to our destiny."
She thought about it for a second and a smile shooed over her face.
"You sound like a Jedi right now."
"Spent too much time around them lately I guess. But watch this, I learned more from them than mystic sayings."
He pulled out his lighter again and placed it in his open palm.
She looked at his palm and then with a puzzled look into his face.
"Wait a second, i gotta concentrate." He told her.
A few moments later the lighter slowly rose off his palm and hovered a few centimeters above it.
It took a lot of concentration and after a few seconds the lighter fell back into his hand.
"Nice trick. Might not wanna go on a world tour yet but I guess if I ever need a substitute for the Kids' birthday parties I'll give you a call." She said with a small smile, obviously the trick cheered her up a bit.
She looked down the balcony and her eyes went wide for a moment, than she turned around, extinguished her cigarette quickly and stormed away.
"I'm sorry, I gotta go!" Rei yelled as she left the balcony.
Questioningly he looked down the balcony. All he could see was an important looking black haired man, maybe fifty to sixty years old and probably Japanese, in a dark suit. Probably a politician or something like that, he thought. The man was accompanied by two bodyguards and probably was waiting for a car to pick him up.
He shrugged, not knowing what Rei saw that made her leave so fast, took a last draw and then extinguished his cigarette, leaving the balcony and walked back to the banquet.
He wouldn't have mind to cheer Rei up even more, but he guessed she had her reasons to leave that fast. But still. He wished she would have stayed on that balcony with him.
Most of the guests began to leave and as he got back to the table Ami asked him if it would be okay to leave soon too.
He approved of it, getting tired and feeling yesterday's missing sleep again.
A few minutes later they said their goodbyes to everyone and SunTzu politely and respectfully thanked the Royal Majesties for the invitation to the dinner and their table.
Then they left and went out to the central entrance.
Rei was standing there, looking more sad than before and smoking another cigarette with deep fast draws. Something seemed to have happened.
She saw Ami and SunTzu approaching.
"You're going home?" She asked Ami.
"Yes, going to drop SunTzu off before." Ami explained.
"Did something happen? You look sad."
"It's nothing. Could you please drop me off at the shrine?" Rei asked her friend.
"Sure, let's go."
The Valet brought Ami's car and before SunTzu could even open the door for her, Rei was already sitting inside, taking the backseat. He got in next to Ami and both shared a concerned look because of Rei.
Nobody spoke a word on the drive back to the city.
He didn't want to stress Rei out more so he didn't ask what was wrong, so he stared out the window most of the time, as was Rei.
As he looked at her in the rear mirror somewhere half way over one of the bridges connecting Crystal Tokio with Old Tokio, he saw a single rear roll down her cheek.
When Ami stopped at the steps leading to the Hikawa Shrine, Rei left the car instantly.
"Thanks Ami. See you tomorrow."
SunTzu gave Ami a questioning look and she just shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what was going on either.
A few moments later they arrived at his place and he thanked Ami and got out, wishing her a good night.
He went to bed soon after. His last thoughts before falling asleep circled around Rei and he wondered what hurt her so much. And how much it distressed him to see her that sad.