Just enjoying the night, he sat there for another while, drinking up his soda, smoking a few cigarettes.

A gust moved the leaves in the three behind him.

"Saturn, little fairy of death. Shouldn't you be in bed?"

Something up from the tree landed behind him, almost without a sound.

"How did you notice." She asked, surprised he could make her out.

"I felt your presence through the force. I'm getting better with this stuff."

"I see. Where have you been today?"

He thought about what to say for a moment.

"Officially I was on a R&D Mission with Ami, but honestly Kiddo, you wouldn't believe anyway." She just nodded unmoved. "You girls stole away for patrolling the city again?"

"It's not that we STEAL ourselves away."

"Yeah, yeah." He got up and extinguished his cigarette before putting it in an nearby ashtray. "C'mon, I'll get you home."

He ordered a taxi to the main entrance of the palace and they walked over. Saturn took a moment to detransform and now was wearing dark sweatpants and a hoodie.

Taking a taxi with a long glaive probably would have caused some questions.

When they arrived at the gate the taxi just rolled up. SunTzu wished the gate guard a good night and quiet duty and they left.

The taxi took Hotaru home first. SunTzu let the taxi stop a few houses away from the Meiou's House.

"Good luck not getting caught." He said to Hotaru, who sat next to him and just pulled out her headphones. She was listening to music the whole ride.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm good at sneaking back in. Although I'm pretty sure Mom knows anyway." She shrugged. "See you tomorrow SunTzu."

"Sleep well Hotaru."

She got out and the Taxi left for SunTzu's place.

After another short night SunTzu waited for Ami the next morning.

She rolled up and he got in, they greeted each other.

She was beaming with happiness but looked a bit tired, no sign of tenseness anymore.

SunTzu understood, Ryu you lucky man.

They left for the base and onn the way Ami explained that she will instruct the booking of the money from the fictional foundation's account to the official kingdom's accounts afterwards.

That meant the next combat mission was paid for.

They parked near the Military HQ and entered Ami's office. When all the safety measures were up and running she ordered the transfer of the money, with a fake telephone number registered on the fake foundation. She even used a voice decoder for a different voice.

When she hung the telephone up, both friends high fived. It was still hard to believe they really pulled that one through.

They decided to celebrate with breakfast at the dinning hall and headed over for it.

He just said down, allowing himself some eggs, bacon and hash browns today, when someone dropped down on the place next to him.

"Eggs and Bacon without me? I have to say I feel kinda hurt Topper." Rei came from his left.

"You better eat well Lieutenant, your due for training with us afterwards", came in from the right as Minako sat down next to him.

Rei stole one of the crispy bacon strips from his plate and ate it.

"Hm, could be more hot." She said after eating it completely.

He sat there frowning, overwhelmed by the sudden attack from the two Senshi.

"Hey girls, be nice to him, he had a long day yesterday." Ami tried to intervene.

"Yesterday was yesterday, he owes me a training. And with not being available yesterday the ass whooping today will just be doubled." Rei said with a stern voice.

"I never said something about training yesterday the day before. Plus I never said a tone that I'll spare against the two of you."

"Oh that. Since Rei complained that you just run away yesterday, to your ominous space mission with Ami, I decided to take part too. In my role as leader of the Senshi." Minako explained her participation.

"Leader of the Senshi? I thought the Queen is the leader of the Senshi." SunTzu said.

"Actually, Venus is our leader, since the Queen rules this Kingdom and we are her guardians." Ami explained.

SunTzu's eyebrows went up surprised. He wouldn't have guessed that.

The two girls on his sides leaned down closer to him.

So much for not teasing anymore, right Mina?

"Usually we two don't need guys to have fun." Minako hushed in his ear.

"But you'll be the exception." Rei whispered from the other side, both had their hands on his knees now.

The girls leaned in even closer and had their heads behind his head now, their grips on his upper leg tightening.

"I can't wait to tag team the Lieutenant Rei. Do you think he has enough stamina for this?"

"There's only way to find out." Rei replied and the leaned back again. With a sudden move they both stole the rest of the bacon from his plate and got up.

"See you later at Training. And enjoy your last meal." Minako shot him a wink and they left, laughing.

Ami, on the opposite side of the table facepalmed in a mixture of cringe and being annoyed.

"I'm sorry." How many times did she apologize for this girls to him already?

He just sat there quietly for a moment before he sighed.

Did Dathomir have a steady climate or seasons? And if, was riding a rancor in winter cold or did they emit enough warm?

"I'll get more bacon." That said he stood up and got back to the food counter.

After breakfast he wished Ami a nice day and went to the flight center, changing into a combat pant and a T-Shirt.

Let's train then.

SunTzu got back to the palace and went to the training room the Senshi trained.

It was empty.

He sat down on one of the mats and wrote Rei that he was waiting for them.

Then he started meditating.

Let's find out if the force will be with me for this.

A few minutes later the door into the room opened and Sailor Mars and Venus strolled in, wry smiles on their faces, apparently pretty sure they'll defeat him easily, especially since they were two.

The Pilot was still sitting there, eyes closed, meditating.

As they approached the ring his eyes snapped open. With a swift move he let himself fell on his back and then jumped up straight, standing there now.

The girls twitched for an instant. Looks like he was serious about it now.

He bowed down, greeting the two Senshi.

"Glad the ladies could make it. Ready to dance?" He asked them.

The two women looked at each other and grinned, challenge in their faces.

"Ready, when you are." Rei told him.

Venus stepped forward, smiling the smile of someone who was sure of his victory.

"Oh SunTzu. I admire your sudden self-confidence. But you just trained against a demigoddess and not against a real goddess yet."

Whatever that meant, he was ready.

"Whenever you want Sailor Venus." He motioned her to attack.

Trying to end the fight before it even began she summoned her Venus Love-Me Chain and tried to tie him up with it.

What she didn't consider was that he dodged the attack, grabbed the chain and pulled her over to him with a swift, force-backed moved. She basically swirled into his arms, her back landing onto his chest.

Wait, did her butt hit his lower body harder than it should have?

His face was next to her.

"And now I could just break your neck and it would be over for you." SunTzu whispered in Venus's ear.

"Oh, maybe that was just part of the plan and I wanted to see how it feels in your arms. Or close up to you. You should cover your face now." That said she kicked her leg over her head in his face, he barely could cover it as fast as it happened. As he tumbled back, Rei suddenly attacked from his flank, trying to high kick him too.

Distract and attack from two sides.

Clever girls.

He blocked Rei too and jumped back to gain some distance to the two women. But the two Senshi immediately followed in and attacked him furiously with legs, hands and elbows. Even with force sharped reflexes he had problems blocking all the blows.

When both rammed their fists into his face and he could barely block with his hands he tumbled a bit back and decided to jump away to get some room to breathe.

All three were warmed up now. And speaking from the grin on their faces they enjoyed their fight.

After a deep breather SunTzu decided that attack was the best defense and rushed toward the two girls. He showered the girls with a series of kicks and punches trying to separate one. The girls held against it tho and waited for an opening to attack. While he definitely delivered the harder punches, they were faster.

Sailor Venus saw in opening and tried to ram her high heel into his ankle.

Unfortunately for her it was a trick he already knew and he swiftly pulled his foot away and when she stricked he slashed at her leg while he was blocking a punch from Rei at the same time.

She tumbled and decided to take a jump back to regain her balance.

In the meantime SunTzu and Rei traded blows, trying to open the others defense.

Both were completely going out now, locking in on each other's eyes.

Rei's eyes were burning with passion and for a fracture of a second he lost himself in them. That millisecond of not taking care was enough for her to land a punch on his cheek, making him stumble back. He tried to counter with a leg sweep but she jumped up and kicked at his head from above.

The combination of short skirt, visible bodysuit underneath and her speed made him forget to dodge and the force of the kick made him fall down.

Minako just stood at the edge of the ring now, observing the two fighters. Mars always has been a fierce fighter but going In like that was rare for her, even for her.

With the ferocity Rei was showing she was expecting her to bare her incisors soon.

When he hit the ground he answered with a leg scissor and pulled her leg away under her, making her fall down too.

Before he could react any further tho, she jumped forward and landed on him. She was smoking, that last move came surprisingly to her and made her rage out.

She held her fist up, Fire dancing over it and was about to strike him in the face with it. He was so surprised that he couldn't react immediately.

"Rei!" Venus yelled from behind.

Rei snapped out and the flames on her fist immediately vanished.

She still had one hand on his shirt's collar and seemed to be a bit shocked, that she zoned out that much.

SunTzu just laid there and looked in her eyes, a small trickle of blood running down from his lip.

They're gazes met and the universe froze for a second, while she sat on top of him, eyes piercing into the soul of each other.

"I'm sorry. I lost my poise." She quietly said, closing her eyes.

"I have that effect on people." He replied and his gaze wandered to the ceiling, trying not to indulge the view of Sailor Mars in her Senshi Outfit sitting on top of him.

"I guess that was a victory for Rei." Minako announced and walked up to them.

"Although I wouldn't mind if we both would be sitting on top of you." She teased SunTzu as she kneeled down and checked his lip.

"She got you really good there. Wait here, I'll get something for it." She got back up and started to walk to the door. Rei nodded and got up too.

"You rather stay here with him till I come back, not that he has a concussion or something else too." Venus instructed Rei, her medical education kicking in, as the adrenaline from the fight flowed away.

He laid back and closed his eyes. He could feel the blows he took now and tried to block any pain with the force.

"I'm really sorry." Rei stood beside him, holding her arm with the other hand on the elbow. She genuinely looked sorry.

"You got quite a punch Sailor Mars. Enough to knock down even a demon like me." He replied, trying to smile but that made his head hurt.

She tried to smile too but it didn't really worked. She worried a bit that this time she really overdid it. She didn't know what came over here but she wanted to show him how capable of a fighter she really was. Or was it rather to proof that she didn't need anyone, especially a man and not even him, to take care of her? Or was it a way to punish him for the butterflies she always felt in her tummy when she was with him lately?

A way to keep him away? I can't tell.

He sighed and slowly sat up. Rei got next to him and kneeled down to support.

"How do you feel?" She asked and he hold up a thumbs up.

"Wait a second." The Senshi got over to a sink and put water on a paper towel lying there. She got back and pressed it onto his hurt lip.

"Thanks." SunTzu pressed his lips together and glanced into her face.

"Next time, can we train together and not against each other." He said, with the hint of a smile. "Or go back to shooting something. It's less dangerous ." They both shared a smile.

Venus came back with a cool pack and a small flashlight.

She checked if he got injured or had a concussion but everything was alright.

After some time pressing the cool pack on his lip he got up, washed his face, and the blood away and drank some water. At least he went down fighting. The two Senshi seemed to feel a bit uneasy how everything got out of hand.

"Hey, it's all good you two. Don't forget the enemy will go out all the way too. This is a lesson Pluto told me and that's right." They both nodded. "Just do me a favor and promise me that you fight like that against the enemy too. If you fight like that, I don't see any reason we won't win this war."

They both nodded again and had to smile. No hard feelings from his side fortunately.

He checked his chrono.

"Unfortunately I have to leave you know, I'll have a training flight soon. I'll see you around." He smiled and started to walk away.

"Good fight SunTzu." Venus told him as he walked off to the door.

"Don't worry Venus, next Time I'll make sure you both get your fair share." He replied and waved goodbye, while he walked out of the door.

He had a soldier on duty drive him to the Flight Center and changed into a flight suit. Haruka was already there.

"What the hell happened with your lip?"

"The goddesses of War and Love decided to tag team me." SunTzu replied.

"Sounds hot. I see you didn't win." Haruka said.

"Less hot than one would think, exactly for the fire fist of Miss Hino. And actually it wasn't a skill reason I lost."

"Yeah, yeah. One day, one day Mate. You and me. Too bad I won't be the first to draw blood."

"Talking about that, how about hitting the range up soon. Or are you afraid Makoto will tease your shooting skills?"

"A well trained warrior like me shoots excellent! Give me a time and date and I'll proof it to you."

They left for their starfighters, Michiru was out today, she had a meeting with Ami and other intelligence personnel the same time the flight training, navigational nature again, was.

The exercise took hours and when they got back it was already evening. They decided to have dinner together and after getting ready again they hit the dinning hall up.

As they sat down to eat, Michiru already was home, Hotaru joined them. Happy to see them she greeted them and soon joined them with a tray of food. Surprisingly it was not just junk food and candy.

She noticed SunTzu's surprised look.

"I was raised to know, how important healthy food and a balanced diet is. Alone for my performance as Warrior."

Nice when teenagers were eager for something, but weird when it was about fighting. But who was he to judge.

"By the way SunTzu, i heard you had a rather tough sparing fight with Venus and Mars today. What about sparing with me?"

"Those were two adults at once. And it almost escalated. I don't wanna hurt you kid." He replied to her. Haruka observed them while eating. This would be interesting

"No, really SunTzu. I think you're ready to spare against Sailor Saturn too." It was Setsuna approaching the table with tray of food also. "Or are you afraid to get hurt again?"

Wow, even Mum wants Lil Miss Reaper to fight me.

"Yeah, don't let her hanging like you do with me Mate."

Thank you Haruka, I really needed that knife in the back.

"You know what, okay. I'll fight you. Come see me tomorrow morning in the training room."

He knew how this would end, Saturn was an absolute death machine in a compact frame.

Why all of these girls are so eager to make me feel pain. And why didn't I bought my ticket to Dathomir yet?

Hotaru enjoyed the rest of her dinner with a broad grin from then on and even took a selfie for the Sailor Guardian Group of the four. Everybody was smiling and showing a V-Sign except a certain Bavarian Pilot. He looked kinda grumpy and sported a bruised lip.

At least Haruka was so nice to take him along in her Ferrari. Nice car, although he expected her to demand the car a bit more, but she was strictly keeping on the speed limit.

At home he wrote some mails with Colt, the 7th Fleet was still out and fighting basically nonstop in the New Frontier. They kept their ground but the Cowboy was mad as hell that Coruscant was reacting so passive to the attacks. There were enough fleets on standby but nobody sent over any real reinforcements. SunTzu understood that and although the death of Marvin was a shock for the whole Task Force he was eager to get out and fight the enemy again.

Just as he was about to go to sleep he got a message from Minako.

She asked how he was and if he was angry at her and Rei, decorated with lots of Emojis.

He wrote back, that he wasn't angry at all and that they needn't to worry.

She seemed to be glad and wished him a good night. Surprisingly no teasing or ambiguous language was used this time.

He wished her a good night also and then went to bed. Tomorrow would be another exhausting day, that was for sure.

At least he got a decent amount of sleep in. And boy, did he fall asleep fast. Yesterday really exhausted him.

Ami picked him up, as usual and off they were to the palace. His lip almost looked normal again but Ami still excused the girls again. At least she didn't get out and bowed as it was manners here.

They arrived at the palace and Sailor Saturn was already waiting for him.

Great he had hoped that the universe showed merci and she caught a cold over the night. Well, let's go down in a manly way at least.

She said good morning to Ami and him. Her mood was way to good for what she probably would do to him later.

Ami excused herself and told SunTzu that she might need him soon for a R&D Project again and left.

Awesome, if I survive today the next suicide mission is just around the corner.

He sighed. And then he turned around to a happy looking Sailor Saturn.

"Mind if I have breakfast first?"

"Of course not. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." She replied.

He left for the dining hall, a few steps later he noticed she was following him.

Probably she wanted to prevent that he still used the chance to flee.

SunTzu sighed again.

His last meal consisted of porridge, OJ and some fruits. At least he'd die full of healthy food, the maggots eating up his corpse later on would probably be very thankful.

Y'all welcome.

Saturn sat down next to him, Glaive slung around her back, blade carefully secured not to hurt someone.

Her breakfast consisted of the same stuff he had on his tray. Good girl, like she said, a healthy diet was important, gives you enough strength to beat up the guy you've been waiting to beat up for weeks now.

"I have a propose for you. Why we don't spice the whole fight up with a bet between us?" She told suddenly while eating.

"A bet? It's a trap, right?" He replied.

"No, not at all. If you win I'll leave you in peace and stop my night patrols. If I win I want a favor."

"And that favor would be?"

She kept quiet for a moment, thinking about how to put her answer.

"I let you know before we fight, okay?"

Hm, her being home at night safe would make him feel better somehow. Her following him around wasn't that bad actually, he got used to it.

"Then we talk about it before the fight."

She wanted to protest but he hold up a hand to shut her up and she kept quiet, looking a bit agitated.

After breakfast they went over to the training room and even SunTzu got a bit excited, how would he do against such a skilled Warrior.

When they entered the room Michiru and Makoto where there sparing against each other.

The followed the fight, that was pretty well-balanced, neither one of the women could take an advantage.

After a couple of minutes, while both were getting exhausted, they called it draw.

The two Senshi shook their hands and congratulated the other before they laughed because they should have called it quits minutes ago.

The four greeted each other.

"So today, is the day? The Soldier of Silence versus the Doitsu no Akuma?" Jupiter said, nodding her head. "I'll definitely have to watch this one."

"As someone who participated in raising her I should intervene but I know she's been looking forward to this." Neptune said. She took a look at Saturn. "Are you sure you want to do this. I don't like the fact that you two fight each other."

"Don't worry Michiru-Mama, it's just a training fight." Saturn smiled at her friend.

They went to the ring and lined up opposite to each other.

"So Hotaru, what's the favor you want if you win?" He was curious to know what could be so important to her.

"Well… If I win… I want you to train me to become a pilot!" She yelled the last words, it seemed to be very important to her.

He exploded internally.

How can she? Did she forget what happened to Marvin just a few days ago?

He wasn't furious with her, he was angry about the thought that she would do something as dangerous as flying combat sorties.

"Not gonna happen! Last word." He shook his head energetically and left the ring.

"So I'm gonna ask Haruka then. Or Odegana." She replied, looking disappointed.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous flying Starfighters is? Was the last missions not proof enough? Michiru would you please tell her too?"

Michiru looked at him and then before saying something sighed and looked at SunTzu.

"Listen, I really admire the fact that you want to make sure she is safe but this girl has been fighting all her life so she knows about danger. And if she set her head on something she does it. I'm sorry." She shrugged her shoulders and looked apologetic.

So much for help from mother number two.

"Let's alter the deal. If you win, I'll teach you how to fly. If I win, you never ever mention flying again. Deal?" He supposed to the girl.

She hesitated a moment.

"Okay. Deal!" She gripped the glaive harder and got ready.

She got a glaive but he had some new tricks up his sleeve too. He'd been secretly training Force Abilities at home. And right now, he had a purpose, to make that girl not start a pilot career that probably would kill her one day and this purpose focused him so much more to the force. Maybe it was also because there were Senshi in the room. He got the suspicion lately that when he was around the Senshi he could tap in the force more easily. Maybe it had something to do with purpose, after all he was the Guardian's Guardian.

He looked to his right side, were wooden training staffs were stowed in a mount.

"You prefer weapon less combat SunTzu?" Hotaru asked him, swinging her Silence Glaive.

He smiled at her and hold out his arm in direction of the staffs. One of them rumbled and suddenly left off and flew into his hand.

Very Nice. At home I only achieved that with the TV remote. Seems Master Durron and the other Jedi were right, size didn't matter.

Jupiter's and Neptune's Jaw dropped. They didn't know that he was capable of something like this.

"I'm okay with weapons." He answered to Saturn swinging around his staff, while she stood there forming a sly grin. She always wanted to best herself against a force user, competing against a worthy opponent for once.

Both opponents bowed to each other, Sailor Jupiter was to give the signal.

Contrary to before he wasn't there to get his ass kicked anymore. He really wanted to win now, to safe Hotaru from herself. A sixteen year girl shouldn't be a starfighter pilot. Who did she think she was, Jaina Solo?

Makoto gave the signal and immediately both fighters rushed towards the other, their weapons clashing together in the middle of the ring.

He tried to open her defense, she was way stronger than she looked. He tried to kick her knee but she blocked with a slight move the Silence Glaive. Using the momentum she swang it around in a whole circle trying to use the energy to snap his staff out of his hands. He jumped back and she tried to hit him from above with the blade. She was pretty serious about winning.

SunTzu let himself fall down so she didn't hit him and while she immediately stabbed after him he rolled away and got back up through a jump, immediately aiming for a hit in her flank. She blocked with a quick move with the glaive but he already attacked with the other end of his staff. She countered with a kick into his flank, making him twitch on his right side and jumping back again.

A moment later he recovered and got his defense up again and both opponents started to circle each other trying to find an opening. Sailor Saturn was grinning ferociously and SunTzu had a smirk on his face too, both wanted to win. Hotaru for her dream of becoming a Pilot, SunTzu for Hotaru's safety.

Time for a change of tactics he thought. He took a running start and pushed the staff into the ground to push himself feet forward towards her, trying to bring in his higher mass. She could block the impact but she tumbled backwards as he landed on his knees and tried to slash at her legs. She answered with a Glaive slash at his leg, he barely could dodge with a front roll, trying to kick her face, followed by a handstand roll backwards to safety. Both were sweating now.

"Not bad, i wouldn't have thought old man was still such an acrobat." She said looking at him, still sporting her animalistic smile.

"And I never thought a small girl like you had that much of strength. But enough with the talking."

At the same time they attacked each other again and slashed after each other in a speed that made it hard to follow the fight.

Their weapons clashed together again after a series of blows. As they were both struggling to gain the upper hand and their faces were near to each other behind their weapons he asked.

"Why do you want to be a pilot so badly?"

"Why not? It's great to fly!" She said and span around trying to hit him from the other side, but he blocked again and the weapons crossed again.

"No really. It's not just the flying for you. The freedom? The solitude maybe?" He asked through clenched teeth.

"I can destroy a planet on my own but how good am I in a galaxy spanning conflict when I cannot defend my friends and my Mother from afar already." They slashed at each other again, crossing weapons again.

"But you. You are. You can fly afar and bring the battle to the enemy, never even let them come near us. And with a small fighter you can almost slip in anywhere unseen."

"So you're doing this because you want to protect your loved ones and this solar system?"

"Why do you think I still fight as hard as I can although I've been doing this literally even before my birth?"

He looked in her eyes for a moment. A small glow was visible in her iris. He nodded.

"So, may it be then."

He pulled all the strength he still had in one slash that hit her glaive so hard that she tumbled back.

While she recovered he still looked at her and then, suddenly, threw away his staff. She was already attacking again and the point of the Silence Glaive stopped a few centimeters before his throat.

Both stood there for a moment, heavily breathing and visible exhausted.

"I hope this fight was worthy for a warrior like you." He said following the weapon from his throat to her face with his eyes.

She pulled away her Glaive and took on a safe stance, holding the weapon upright in her arm, before she bowed down.

"It was. Thank you for the fight. I appreciate you didn't hold back." She straightened up again and walked up to him.

They both shared a firm handshake. A handshake that only people that traded even punches with each other understood, the handshake of warriors that found their counterpart.

"Good work Hotaru. But believe me it won't be easy to become a pilot." He said with a smile.

What is that feeling? Am I proud of her?

"Thank you. I'm eager to learn. But don't think that I call you Master or Senpai or whatever."

They both shared a laugh while the other two Senshi carefully approached the opponents to ask if they were okay.

They were, nobody was hurt, SunTzu didn't bleed this time either.

Who would have thought Rei would kick my ass harder than Hotaru.

The four of them left the training room and while the Senshi stayed back at the Palace SunTzu left for the Flight Center to shower and change clothes. He said he'd be back in half a hour. Since he had time left he decided to let AICA know, that Hotaru was to learn to fly on her.

"I already know that. She messaged me 17 minutes ago. I'm happy, Hotaru will be a great pilot, I suppose." The Starfighter stated. At least the Ship was happy and already knew, there were more people to tell the news too and to convince about the plan. There still was a chain of command after all.

He told AICA he'd be back for training later and left for the palace again.

Of course Hotaru, now detransformed and wearing a goth outfit with a skirt and a long hoodie as well fitting jewelry and make up.

Great, perfect outfit to beg for a cost expensive education as Pilot through various parts of the command chain. Not to forget her mother.

At least she was looking more happy than he ever saw her before, stark contrast to her clothes.

And of course Chibiusa was waiting beside her, wearing a short pink checkered skirt, sneakers, thigh highs and a large black hoodie also.

Well, if Royalty could run around like this also there was at least a chance they'd succeed with the request.

He stepped up to the girls, both beaming at him now.

"Hotaru, really is becoming a pilot now?" Chibiusa asked, chewing on gum, but seeming quite interested in the answer.

"Of course, the Lieutenant told me he will make me one!" Hotaru declared.

"Hotaru, this is not only my decision. There are superiors that have to approve it first. It's not cheap to make a pilot, AICA is unique but even she needs fuel and ammo. We need gear for you." He explained, with a severe look in his face.

"Oh, don't worry. We'll take care of it. I'm Royalty as you know." Chibiusa replied, making a bubble gum bubble afterwards.

"And what about your mother? Does she know about your plans at all?" He asked Hotaru further.

"She does. She knows for a long time already. She's not too keen on it but she understands my motivation. Mom is a warrior too after all."

"Okay, so i guess we start with the most important parts first. Your parents Chibiusa and Artemis as Commander of the Taskforce. And we need the stuff for your theoretical training."

"No problem. AICA already told me which books and documents I need, I got them on my datapad already. And let us take care of the Royal Couple and Artemis. Give us a few hours."

That said the girls tried a salute and walked off.

Well, we'll see how this will work out.

He had time to wait so he took it easy, got himself a coffee to go at the dinning hall as well as a Bacta plaster for his flank at the sick bay of the palace guard and sat down on his favorite bench in the courtyard. The Bacta worked fast and the coffee was rather strong, paired with a cigarette on this fresh and mixed April morning Life didn't seem to bad. Apart from that he didn't know anything about who he really was, that he lost his mentor and that there was a war going on. But for once all that had to wait for a moment.

He put in his headphones of his phone, Life was good.

It didn't take an hour till the two teenagers were back.

"Dad wasn't really happy with it and Mom was unusually quiet but they gave their okay."

Chibiusa said, giving the permission from the Royals.

"Artemis wasn't amused but Luna intervened and we're good now." Hotaru said.

That was way too easy.

He pulled out his phone, took a look at Hotaru while dialing a number and turned away.

"Doctor Meiou."

"Greetings Doctor, it's SunTzu. I'm sorry to disturb you but there's something I have to talk about with you."

"Just a moment." It took a moment but then she was back. "Lieutenant, I heard the news already."

"Hey, I just wanted to make sure you're really know what's up and are okay with it. Hotaru wants to start the training to become a starfighter pilot."

"This i know. I don't like it much but I understand her motives. And if she puts her mind on something she usually doesn't let up anymore." Setsuna let out a sigh. "If you're calling to make sure, if I allowed I do. Even if I don't like it much."

"Okay, just wanted to make sure that you know. Excuse the inconvenience Doctor."

"I appreciate that you checked in with me. Have a good day."

"Dito, have a nice one."

"Oh and SunTzu? Thank you for taking care of Hotaru. I hope she wasn't too ruthless in the fight."

"Don't worry, it was all right, hell of a fighter tho."

"She is. Goodbye."

"Bye."

He hung up and looked back to the girls, noticing a sour looking Artemis walking up to him. Uh-oh.

He straightened up and saluted his superior officer

"Lieutenant, a word please."

Artemis lead him a few meters away and started right up.

"Lieutenant SunTzu, as you aware Sailor Saturn wants to start pilot training. With you as instructor. And I don't like it any bit." SunTzu stood there straight, face expressionless, ready for the ass-chewing.

"But apart from my lovely Wife that will choke me in my sleep if I disappoint any of the Senshi, the Royal Couple ordered me to authorize the whole thing." Artemis straightened up himself and adjusted his uniform's tie. "Therefore, First Lieutenant SunTzu, I order you to take over the education of Cadet Meiou as candidate for Spacefighter Pilot. You have your orders."

SunTzu saluted again and stayed in the salute till Artemis left.

"Cadet Meiou, on me!" He shouted towards the girl when Artemis was out of sight.

The girl came running and stopped a few meters before him.

She looked up to him.

"Cadet Meiou, the Admiral just authorized your pilot training." He saluted. "Welcome to the Galactic Alliance Starfighter Corps."

The corners of her mouth went up high and she tried her best of a formal military salute too.

"And now, go and fetch yourself a flight suit or at least the hint of a military uniform. Training starts this afternoon." He ended his salute as she stormed to Chibiusa to take her to get a flight suit. In the midst of running she stopped again and turned around, remembering military etiquette.

"Yes Sir!" She yelled and saluted again before hooking in under Chibiusa's arm and leaving.