The group of guardians left the airport inside Haruka's Bentley and the female pilot swerved through the starting rush hour traffic that rainy day in May.
"Rei, I'm getting you home first. SunTzu, you just have time to bring up your luggage to your place and we're off for the base." Haruka said, leaving he glance on the street.
"What are you talking about?" SunTzu asked her.
"I have to be honest with you guys. I wasn't at the airport purely here because I wanted to be nice to you. SunTzu we have a new mission in the pipeline."
"You're shitting me, right?"
"Nope, sorry Mate. We've been ordered to space, reinforcing an old RASP MC-40 Cruiser that's patrolling near Arkania."
When Karma hits you it hits you hard.
A few minutes later they were parking at the foot of the hill the Hikawa Shrine was located on.
"I'll look the other way, okay?" Haruka announced as they got out, meaning she'd give them some privacy to say goodbye to each other.
SunTzu didn't let it take away from him to carry her luggage up the stairs though
The way up not a word was spoken. He put the luggage down after passing the shrine's gate. The two Mikos that worked at the shrine were already waiting for her near the gate.
He nodded to Rei and turned around, they were back to Undercover Love again.
With a sad face she just stood there for a moment.
SunTzu started to walk down the stairs when Rei took a deep breath and turned around too, motioning the two women that she will be back soon before she rushed after SunTzu, who was already half way down the stairs again.
She catched up to him and grasped his shoulder, stopping him. As he turned around she put her hands around his cheeks and gave him a long kiss. The good thing was, the kiss seemed to last an eternity. The bad however that they didn't know how long it would be the last time they could kiss each other again.
They hugged each other tight after the kiss.
"I'm a psychic and also superstitious. Do I have to go more into detail why I think you shouldn't go? After we were so lucky with Singapore?"
"I have duties Rei."
"Me too. But that doesn't mean that I have to run head first into my demise."
"You want me to let Haruka and Michiru go on their own? That's not gonna happen. I'm not gonna do this. Not even for you."
The black haired woman sighed.
"I'm not gonna change your mind about going, right?"
"Nope. But I appreciate the oncern."
"And I thought I'm stubborn."
"Which can be quite cute sometimes."
She pouted for a moment and looked into his eyes.
"I'll be praying for you here."
"Thank you. Really tho."
They put their heads together.
"I gotta go. Haruka is waiting."
She nodded, looking sad but tried to keep up a firm face.
They kissed again before he turned around and walked down the rest of the stairs.
As Haruka heard steps she turned around and looked at SunTzu.
"I'm sorry. But you know how things are. Orders are Orders."
"I know Haruka. It's not your fault."
"SunTzu!" It was Rei's voice coming in from behind him.
As soon as he had turned around the woman jumped into his arms and he catched her midair, spinning her around while they kissed.
"Ahem! For people not dating you guys sure don't act the part." Haruka chimed in.
The couple looked each other deep in the eyes again before he set her down.
"Haruka, please take care of Topper Harley. Don't let him do something stupid this time." Rei said to her fellow Senshi.
"Noted. I'll chain him to a iron pole in his quarters so." The other Senshi replied and both woman laughed.
Rei looked SunTzu in the eyes again while she held his face in her hands.
"I know. No promises in combat. But swear to come back. Swear on the love that Akira holds for her Max." Then she kissed him goodbye.
The Soldier of Fire watched them drive off, gently stroking over her wristwatch with her other hand.
"Who the hell are Max and Akira?" Haruka asked as she veered back into the traffic.
SunTzu wasn't even listening. Did Rei really just had said, what she said?
SunTzu just brought his luggage into his apartment and left again as they rushed further off to the airbase.
"So, who had the fantastic idea to put us on a ship that's probably older than us and let us work with RASP." SunTzu asked.
"As you probably would have guessed the first time. Coruscant. RASP is stretched to thin lately and needs help. And earth has two exceptional space fighters with ace pilots. They basically blackmailed the Queen into letting us go. If she wouldn't sent us, they'll be cutting foundings. Motherfuckers. Guess which wanker of Senator put his signature on the request." Haruka explained the situation as reply.
"Maybe we should have shot that shuttle down back then."
"Yeah."
They stopped at the Flight Center and went inside to jump into their flight suits. Afterwards they went outside, their fighters were already parked on the outside landing spots and Michiru and Hotaru were busy doing preflight checkups.
They greeted the two girls.
"Hey Wingman, how was Singapore?"
"Way too good. I almost forgot how much this war sucks. Till your girlfriend picked us up at the airport." He pressed his lips together.
"How is Rei doing with this?" Michiru asked.
"She's trying to not worry too much. Not going too well tho." SunTzu replied.
"I see." Michiru nodded.
SunTzu turned around to Hotaru, who just finished inspecting AICA.
"Thank you for the inspection Kiddo. And thanks for the help the other night. But we don't have to talk about that you're staying here, right?"
She looked at him and slightly turned her head sideways.
"No really. You're staying here."
Hotaru was about to start protesting when SunTzu walked up to here and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Listen, you're a nature talent when it comes to flying, but this mission is too dangerous for you. Yet, at least. Stay here and train a bit on the simulator. Okay?"
She nodded and he gave her a single nod as answer too.
"Take care Kiddo. I'll see you around." He said as he turned away, gently squeezing her shoulder.
The two pilots and the gunner boarded their starfighters and after a severe preflight check the two fighters lifted off, leaving behind a waving Hotaru.
Soon the starfighters flew over Tokyo, slowly rising up in the sky.
Rei, was now dressed in her Miko clothes and had. Phobos and Deimos on her shoulders while she observed her grandfather as he was blessing a young couple.
The two crows turned their heads up into the sky and she heard something above.
As she looked up, she saw the two starfighters well know to her rise up into the Skies above Tokyo, giving the city a last salute with their flyover.
She felt how her heart stung inside her chest and she sent a prayer to the heavens.
Please Mom, hold a protecting hand over him. I just can't afford to loose him.
Hours later the two fighters landed on an old Mon Cal MC40 Cruiser. The, typical for Mon Cal Designs, organic looking, light brownish-colored medium sized cruiser had seen its best days long time ago. The former Rebel Alliance Ship, christened on the Name of Shadow had found it's last command within the Reconstruction Authority Space Patrol of the Galactic Alliance Reconstruction Authority, policing the space in the Colonies and the Inner Rim.
Her weapons had been partly stripped down and she missed her warhead launchers and some Ion Cannons as to older times when she was a front line rebel cruiser. Her complement was made up of four older X-Wings although she had room for a whole squadron.
This was the new home for Michiru, SunTzu and Haruka in the next days and weeks.
The ship's age was ubiquitous and from her former career as cruise ship, the first Mon Cal Cruisers were actually former converted cruise ships, not much amenities had been left. The trio slept in a small quarter that just sported two bunk beds, a sink and four lockers. Showers were seperate rooms and for multiple quarters at once.
So much for privacy. It wasn't easy for Haruka and Michiru that were pretty used to always have some way to find some privacy as couple. The trio tried it's best to be content.
What the ship and housing were missing the ship's crew tried to make up for. They did the best out of what they had, from Captain, a female Togruta on her first capital ship command, to the gunners and shipmen. Especially latter made due and sometimes kept the ship together with spit and glue.
The four other pilots were rookies but eager to learn under the new combat proven snub jockeys.
Hard to imagine I've been at this point just three months ago SunTzu thought to himself when they were training with the four X-Wings the first time. It definitely felt longer than just a quarter of a year. He guessed combat made that with you.
And he couldn't say that life had been bad. He found his place, good friends and a girlfriend.
When he thought about Rei his heart stung a bit. The only way they had to communicate was the Holonet and he only had access over AICA. Furthermore, the day-night-rythm on the Shadow was the complete opposite to Crystal Tokyo's. Often when he tried to call her it was in the middle of the night. He soon decreased his calls to not wake her up every night and their communication trickled down to a few messages he went to AICA for to read and sent.
When they weren't flying they were mostly doing sport since there was not much else to do. Sometimes they would sit on top of their Spacefighters and look out the hangar shields. At times Michiru would bring out her Violine and play while they were stargazing. Her sounds were often melancholic, all of them were missing home and their loved ones.
After eight days, the trio's mood finally had hit rock bottom nonetheless as they were told that they had to stay at least another two weeks The Voyager and AICA along with their two pilots and the voyager's gunner were scouting ahead of the MC40 Cruiser when a emergency call came in.
Somewhere between Champala and Arkania some spacefaring nomads were under attack from some ships dating back from the Clone Wars. Probably some deactivated Confederacy of Independent Systems droid controlled cruiser that was shut down after the war ended somehow got back online and now was attacking whatever got into it's range. That sometimes happened but was pretty rare these days 57 years after the war ended.
They were ordered back to the ship and as soon they took flanking positions the Cruiser and the two starfighters jumped into Hyperspace.
A few minutes later the starfighters and their mothership fell out of hyperspace.
In the distance an old CIS Munificient Frigate was chasing two corvettes, an older CR-70 and a more modern and beefed up CR-90M, the modernized version of the same ship the Companion was.
The two smaller corvettes were steaming away from the lashing out Star Frigate.
In the background more CIS ships were visible.
The four X-Wings deployed from the Shadow's Hangar and joined the other two fighters in pairs.
The voice of the Shadow's Captain, Vulaa Sidem, came on.
"Corvettes Nomad's Luck and Starstruck we're investigating the CIS Ship graveyard when one of the frigates activated and attacked. Give them cover while we try to destroy the Frigate."
The six starfighters rocketed away towards the two corvettes.
Destroying the Munificent wouldn't be easy though, the ship was bigger than the Shadow and the shadow missed some of her most hard hitting weapons.
When the six starfighters almost reached in to the two corvettes they were greeted by a squadron of Vulture-class Droid Fighters.
Not necessarily the most dangerous adversaries for the fighters but a ratio of 2:1 was never good.
The Shadow pumped everything they had into it's engines trying to close in too.
As soon as the bigger ship came closer the Munificent Frigate decided to stop shooting at the two smaller ships and open fire on the bigger target. Automatic Turbolaser and Ion Cannon emplacements were rearranged and opened fire on the front of the Mon Cal Cruiser. The Shadow's twelve medium turbolaser turrets as well as her ten ion cannons answered with a hail of energy towards the Frigate that came slowly forward above the Mon Cal Capital Ship.
The first kills of the GA's fighters was actually scored by Michiru. She shot down two of the Droids that were trying to rush through the formation of their starfighters.
"Nice shooting Babe." Haruka commented, while she tipped the Voyager over and tried to rush after another Vulture.
SunTzu flew a very tight corkscrew to outmaneuver two other droids and transformed them into spark spitting space debris.
So far so good.
The Captain of the Shadow decided that the ship's well-being was worth more than a victory against a peer opponent and let the ship turn about as soon as the corvettes flew past the Cruiser.
At the same time the six starfighters just destroyed the last duo of enemy droid fighters and were ordered to form up around the Shadow again.
"Too bad, it was going quite well." Haruka commented as she pulled away from near the CIS Frigate.
"Let's not press our luck, okay?" SunTzu replied.
"These doesn't sound like you. What's up?"
"I have a very bad feeling about this, let's see that we get out here."
The fighters formed around the Cruiser and two corvettes and the jump to hyperspace was prepared for when suddenly alarm sounds starting blaring in their cockpits.
"What in the bloody hell! I have a Interdictor powering up on the sectors." Haruka yelled out.
"Hyper- and Holocommunication is out too." SunTzu fell in.
"Congratulations, we just stepped into a trap." Michiru stated coldly.
"All Fighters stay at defensive positions around the capital ships, we're reading more ships activating." Captain Sidem's voice came over the comm system.
"SunTzu, I read the Interdictor, a Lucrehulk-Class, one more Munificent Frigate and a CIS Droid Carrier. The other Munificent is holding position, probably to form up with the other capital ships." AICA informed him and the Voyager's crew over their private intercom channel.
"You heard that? How big is the fighter complement of this carrier AICA?" Haruka asked the Artificial Intelligence.
"Room for at least 200 Droid Fighters." AICA answered.
If this amount of fighter craft and the four enemy capital ships would pounce onto them they were done. There was nothing they could defend them with.
"Awesome, this will be one bloody hell of a long day."
While the small fleet steamed away at full speed trying to get out the Interdictor field, Haruka called in onto the Shadow's bridge.
"Captain, requesting permission to engage the enemy fighters in a forward position."
A small pause followed.
"Permission granted. Buy us some time, Lieutenant!"
Voyager and AICA turned around and took point a few kilometers beyond the fleeing ships.
A cloud of two dozen Vultures was rushing towards them.
"AICA, target lock for both ships, let's open up the sky with some multi-locks. Ladies, let's do this!"
Both fighters slowed a bit and fired two Multi-Lock-Missiles, which hit to great effect, turning eighteen of the droid fighters into star dust. And six antique snubs weren't a match for two of the most deadly fighting machines this galaxy ever saw.
Lasers blazing they stormed into the droids formation.
Thirty minutes later they were still standing their ground but their advanced missiles were depleted and they had to go into dog fights to shoot down the sheer endlessly incoming droid fighters.
More and more Droids got through their position and attacked the Shadow. The first Munificent Frigate also was closing in again, making a big detour around the two aggressively fighting Snubs between the rest of the CIS Fleet and the GA Flotilla.
Captain Sidem gave up on running away and decided for a defensive layout with the four X-Wings and two corvettes defending against the incoming fighters.
They were lucky so far as the basic droid mind of the carrier just decided to sent single squadrons into combat after the initial two squadron attack. If it would sent more at once they probably would be overwhelmed very quickly.
So far it was only thanks to Michiru's rear turret and AICA's rotatable cannons that they were still alive anyway. Basic droid minds or not a dozen vs two was hard to stand through.
The trio was exhausted as they just finished wave number three. Both pilots stacked up over two dozen scores and even Michiru shot down seven fighters so far.
"Bad news people, the carrier is locking out three squadron of fighters now. And an additional squadron of bombers. The fleet is increasing their speed too." AICA informed them.
Captain Sidem came in again.
"You're seeing this? Get back to the shadow we try to defend ourselves all together. Comms is desperately trying to get a call for reinforcements out."
As ordered the two starfighters rushed back to the Shadow and got ready for the small armada of Droid Fighters coming in.
A few moments later 48 droid snubs pounced onto the three capital ships and six fighters. In the distance the two Munificent Frigates were closing in.
AICA and the Voyager were all over the small flotilla trying to engage as many droids as they could, closely rushing over the bigger ships.
Soon two of the X-Wings were shot down and exploded to atoms. The other two were now just defending around the Shadow to stop the Droid Hyena Bombers attacking the Mon Cal Ship.
"Go for the three at your two, I'll cover you." SunTzu told Haruka, as they were searching for targets between the Shadow and the Nomad's Luck.
"Roger that." Haruka veered to the right as SunTzu slowed down and prepared to take care of any enemy ships following them.
The two corvettes veered closer and tried to shield the bigger ship with their anti-fighter capabilities, thank the force to good effect.
They were at least holding up till that point, not all hope had been lost yet.
"The carrier is deploying two more squadrons of fighters. And another bomber squadron." AICA came in.
"Here is the Nomad's luck, we lost our aft shields. We need urgent help."
The two Munificent Frigates were in combat range too now and opened fire on the Shadow. Typical for Mon Calamari Ships the Cruiser had advanced shields but they wouldn't last long under the heavy shelling.
So much for keeping hope up.
AICA and the Voyager closed up again. When the next enemy fighter squadron joined in, things became dire.
"If you could do that thing with AICA again, where she goes Super Saiyan, now would be time for it." An exhausted Haruka came in.
"I wish." SunTzu sighed, taking a moment to drain energy from the force. "Any Senshi Powers that can save us now?"
"Negative.'"
A long pause followed.
"Guess then it's back to good old flying skills."
The two fighters stormed into the next group of droids.
A few very long minutes later Captain Sidem just announced that her shields were about to break down and ordered all ships to retreat. One of the X-Wings was destroyed while he tried to flee.
The enemy completely gained the upper hand now and it was all about surviving now, the two corvettes veered away.
"If you put everything into the engines you might make it out the Interdictor field." SunTzu proposed to Haruka. "I'll cover your six from here."
"Negative, I'm not gonna leave you here. I'm staying with you till the end, Brother."
"Think about Michiru." SunTzu pleaded and a long pause erupted while the two fighters sidestepped a droid fighter trio, shooting at them.
"Ah, putain de merde! We're staying Haruka, no matter what!"
All three friends nodded under their helmets. Together till the end.
They flew a looping and attacked the starfighters that just shot at them.
There were too many of them though.
"AICA, sent out "Dull Saber" on all channels." SunTzu ordered AICA to sent the Royal Kingdom's radio code for an unit that was overrun out on all available ways.
"That's it then, Mate." Haruka paused. "Blaze of glory?" She went on.
"Yup, blaze of glory, let's see if we can get through to that Interdictor and shut it off!"
"At your six. Damn! Michiru our five."
Another pause and Michiru came on.
"I finally make ace in a day and then this." She sighed, it sounded tired.
Michiru shot at another incoming fighter and AICA's laser let a droid bomber explode in front of her as they were fighting their way away from the Cruiser.
"Live's not fair my Love."
SunTzu thought about Rei, his heart bleeding.
"Damn, I wish I've seen her one last time."
"You two made a nice couple. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry it has to end like that for us. My offer with covering your retreat still stands."
"Never." Haruka replied as the two fighters spun into a corkscrew around each other.
Blazing out sustained fire at three different directions the two advanced Starfighters pressed onward to the Interdictor. If they could destroy it's Gravity Well Generator at least the other ships might could flee. But they probably had to kamikaze into the generators, they didn't had any missiles left. And they needed to hurry the Shadow lost its shields and the enemy Frigates were beating laser fire into her.
"I detect a squadron of Tri-Wings between us and the Lucrehulk." AICA came on, with a tense voice. Even the AI had lost it's hope.
The trio sighed. No way they would fight their way through to the Interdictor.
Sometimes you have to give up hope and accept your faith.
Something big and grey fell out of hyperspace some distance apart from the Lucrehulk, accompanied by a smaller sleek silhouette and some smaller dots around it. The incoming ships immediately opened fire on the CIS Ships.
And sometimes, when you loose all your hope, your friends come through, Guns blazing.
"This is Admiral Artemis of the Royal Kingdom of Crystal Tokyo. All Galactic Alliance personnel be advised, I'm taking command."
Standing in his element on the bridge of his flag ship, a certain white haired Admiral switched into work mode.
"Terra Squadron, close in to Voyager and SunTzu. Bring me back my pilots!Companion open formation, establish a corridor to the Shadow. Gunners, Full Torpedo Salvo on my mark."
Artemis nodded to the Royal Couple observing the scene next to him and called in his forward deployed pilots.
"Lieutenants, good to see we're not too late to the Party. We brought some friends along. Agent Wong?"
Ada Wong and Jedi Healer and Master Cilghal were manning a double seater X-Wing and followed the four Z95s of Terra Squadron into combat. The Jedi was piloting the fighter.
"Lieutenants Tenoh and Kaiou, SunTzu, glad you're allstill alive. Neo Queen Serenity informed me and Master Cilghal that you might be in trouble. We thought we come through to help too. Hope you don't mind we brought some backup. I assume you heard about Twin Suns Squadron?"
Twin Suns Squadron? The legendary mixed Jedi-Chiss Squadron from the Vong War? They were active again?
"Colonel Jagged Fel checking in. Twin Suns, open formation. Clawcraft, get those Tri-Droids."
"This is Colonel Jaina Solo, me and the rest of the XJs from Twin Suns will help the Shadow. S-Foils into attack position, people!"
"I'm gonna buy anyone that just got here a beer. Swear on me mum. Even If I have to sell the Ferrari." Haruka commented the sudden change of their luck, while she and Michiru linked hands through the cockpit. Michiru had a tear in her eye.
"I'll help paying." SunTzu commented, sending his deepest thanks to the heavens.
"Let's help those Chiss smack some Droids?" Haruka asked with new determination.
"After you Madame Tenoh." SunTzu replied.
Hotaru was standing in the Hangar and observed how the Commandos climbed up into the Gunships.
She was wearing her flight combo but there was no fighter left for her to participate in. Even with the Twin Suns helping the fighters were still almost outnumbered one to ten, needing any help they could get.
She wish she could help save her instructor and fellow Outer Senshi.
And then she noticed the two Longprobe Reconnaissance Y-Wings in the back of the Hangar.
Terra Squadron and Cilghal's X-Wing joined the brawl the Clawcrafts, the Tie-Aggressor and the A-Wing had with the Tri-Droid Fighters and soon overwhelmed the advanced fighter Droids.
The Far Side already had the shields of the Lucrehulk down and now Salvo after Salvo of Torpedos hit the big unique shaped cruiser.
"The three of you cannot be left alone for a week." Odegana came in over the radio.
"Hey, at least we warmed them up for you guys." Haruka answered as they formed up and turned around to help the other ships.
Behind them the core ship inside the Lucrehulk' circular shape exploded and sent flaming debris into the other parts of the ship.
Hotaru sneaked into one of the Y-Wings. This one she was in, a two-seater. A newer model of the Longprobe.
The single seater next to it, would have been the more logic choice but there was no astromech installed and in the lighter armed and slower version she had there was one.
She turned on the power and greeted the astromech droid that came out of standby behind her.
Sailor Mars, dressed in her flight suit entered the hangar. Why the hell she came here? Not that she could do something. But maybe he'd come and pick her up before going back in, so they at least weren't apart anymore.
Nonsense, he was busy out there. And he was alive. When the news reached here that the Shadow wasn't contactable anymore she felt like she lost the ground below her feet.
When they were finally on their way to save her lover and fellow Senshi from a trap they heard what was exactly going on and it seemed they were too late. The last hour in Hyperspace had been hell for her. She was so relieved to watch them still flying after the Far Side fell out of Hyperspace.
Thank you Mom for holding your protective hand over him.
But Rei couldn't stay there and just watch.
So that's why she was here, her sixth sense brought her here.
She looked around, except for the ground crew it was pretty empty inside the Hangar.
And then she saw Hotaru sitting In the cockpit of one of the larger starfighters in the back.
The Voyager and AICA were back over the Shadow's flotilla and engaged droid bombers attacking the capital ship and escorting the last X-Wing that somehow survived because he stayed next to the Nomad's luck. The two corvettes were the only reason the bombers didn't destroy the Shadow yet. But the Munificent Frigates Fire already destroyed parts of the hull and damaged the ship quite heavily.
Hotaru was doing a quick preflight checkup when she saw Rei walking up to her with a determined look.
"I'm not gonna get out of here."
Rei swung up the cockpit and landed on the back seat.
"I know. But you'll need a gunner."
Both girls looked at each other and nodded, they both understood.
"You ever did that before."
"Nope. But I played enough video games to get the idea."
The Far Side hurried as fast as she could to aid the Shadow and was soon joined by the Companion again that started shooting at the fighter droids still engaged over the three ships.
A full salvo of all offensive weapons of the Far Side and proton torpedos from the Twin Suns XJ-Wings and Cilghals Fighter, blew one of the CIS Star Frigates Shields and engine away and the Far Side made on to end her work to destroy the ship.
The other Frigate turned and made it's way to attack the Far Side.
At least that gave the Shadow some room to breathe and her Captain came on and thanked the Taskforce for their help. The Companion took on a defensive position over the heavily bruised Mon Cal Cruiser.
The Twin Suns entailed destruction over the remaining droids, especially Jaina Solo carried on her grandfather's tradition in wrecking fighter droids.
The Droid Carrier was fleeing the scene and deployed all it's remaining droids at once. Almost a hundred starfighters roared towards the Galactic Alliance Ships. It wasn't over yet.
Colonel Fel formed all the remaining starfighters into groups of three, one being Terra Squadron and the two single X-Wings, one being the Twin Suns and the other SunTzu and the two Senshi in their fighters and let them spread out, with Twin Suns in the middle and the other groups on the flanks.
The three corvettes formed a defensive formation around the two bigger ships if any droid should come through.
"I'm beginning to loose my zen like patience with this tin cans." A rather annoyed sounding Michiru came over the comm.
"Hey, we're basically talking about my relatives here." AICA replied. "Don't use the TC-Word please, it's offensive."
"Oh. Oh I'm sorry. I didn't see it that way." Michiru excused herself.
"AICA, shut up. Michiru it's okay, she's just fucking with you." SunTzu came on. "It should be above your pride to call these alpha versions your relatives my dear AICA."
"You guys done now? We got bogeys coming in from eleven to one o' clock." Haruka chimed in.
"Good, I never liked that stirp of the family anyway." AICA replied.
The two advanced Fighters of the Royal Kingdom had one drawback compared to the other fighters, they didn't had any Missiles or torpedoes left and had to face the incoming droids with lasers and ion cannon only.
They did their best but over a hour of dogfighting against overwhelming enemy forces took their toll and they were tired and exhausted.
The trio were mostly defending each other when a Vulture didn't let go of SunTzu and another one harassed the Voyager. The droid brain in the carrier now had collected enough data of their flying
"AICA, back shields to max." SunTzu said as he tried to shake them.
His back shields were already dangerously low when the droid turned up in his rearview again.
Suddenly something fast and small hit the Vulture Droid and made them explode.
"What the hell was that?"
The Droid going after Haruka exploded too.
A Y-Wing closed in from above and leveled next to the two starfighters, which just formed next to each other too.
SunTzu could feel their energies as Senshi through the force. That was Hotaru. And Rei. Rei was onboard that Y-Wing too.
"Figured you guys could need some help." Hotaru came in over the comm.
Both Haruka and SunTzu were about to scold Hotaru for showing up in this mess when Michiru forestalled them.
"You two shut up, we won't tell someone off who just saved our cute butts. Thanks for the help!"
"Okay, we'll discuss this later. But you two are definitely in trouble." SunTzu told into the channel.
"Two?" Haruka asked.
"I'm in here too. I wanted to see what TopGun does when he's alone with you guys." Rei came in.
"So, what do you say we take the two black haireds into the middle?" Haruka asked.
SunTzu answered with a barrel roll over the Y-Wing, giving the two girls inside a wink as he passed and taking the left flank of the three snubs.
The three starfighters headed on to the next group of droids coming towards them.
"Ladies, let's plow this road."
All three fighters began to shoot and blowed a whole through the wall of fighters coming in.
What they didn't shoot down in the front the two turrets shot down.
"Like I said, just like a video game." Rei stated as she blew up a Hyena Bomber that tried to flank them.
Twin Suns soon had their sector cleared and plunged upon the enemy. Especially those Chiss Nsiss-Clawcraft were absolute beasts in dogfighting, the XJ-Wings, partly manned by Jedi were a force on their own too.
Almost no enemy broke through and when they did the three corvettes wrecked them Immediately.
The Droid Carrier tried to find it's sake in fleeing and bringing enough distance between the Galactic Alliance Ships and itself to safely jump into Hyperspace. The droid that commandeered the ship thought he almost made it when something very large and completely black fell out of the hyperspace next to it.
"About time you show up, dear brother!" Jaina Solo came in over the open tactical channel.
"All Galactic Alliance Personnel be advised, the Anakin Solo and Colonel Jacen Solo just arrived in System." Artemis stated over the channel.
Jaina Solo's Twin Brother commanded one of the most advanced Star Destroyers of the Fleet, a complete black colored modified Imperial-II-class Star Destroyer including advanced avionics and state-of-the-art-long-range turbolasers.
Also it housed some elite forces of the GA Special Forces and Fighter Squadrons.
He also was the Co-Commander of the Galactic Alliance's Fifth Fleet, stationed on Hapes.
The 1600m long Black Annie, as it was also called by it's crew and inside the fleet, made short work of the CIS Carrier when it's main turbo laser batteries opened up and spat blue energy onto the smaller ship. Soon the ship exploded and drifted separated in four parts through space.
Meanwhile the Far Side made it's way into the dogfighting fighters, using missiles and it's Anti-Fighter-Batteries it supported it's allies.
Artemis had enough, if someone messed with his pilots than just him. And maybe the Royals but definitely not a bunch of oldschool war machines.
"Anakin Solo to Allied Forces, we'll check up on the rest of the old CIS Ships." Came in from the big black Star Destroyer as it took course to the CIS ship graveyard, it's fighter complement swarming out.
Soon the last of the droid fighters was shot down and the starfighter squadrons formed up. Jaina in her XJ-Wing came up next to Haruka.
"Thanks for the help Twin Suns, not gonna lie, we were almost done for. I got two excellent bottles of whisky from home In my cabin aboard the Far Side. You're more than invited to come over."
"Affirmative Voyager. Unfortunately that will have to wait till next time, we're basically just passing through. It was pure coincidence we were on Coruscant when Master Cilghal informed the Council about the mission." Jaina explained to Haruka.
"Understood. We're waiting for you guys. Fair winds Twin Suns, may the force be with you!"
"Lieutenants, exceptional flying. May the force be with you guys. Twin Suns, we make a detour over the Black Annie before we jump. Taskforce Sol, it's been a honor!"
The Twin Suns formed and turned about, heading for the Anakin Solo.
"About that drink. I don't know about Master Cilghal but I'm in." Ada came in.
"We'll arrange the guest rooms Agent, the Far Side awaits your arrival."
The last X-Wing-Pilot of the complement of the Shadow made it through the day too. His name was Thajuli Monful, a young human.
"This was some excellent flying today Lieutant Monful. If you're looking for a new squadron I might have good news for you." Odegana informed the survivor.
"How's the Situation Captain Sidem?"
SunTzu asked the Captain of the heavily damaged MC40.
"We're holding up. We got breaches in multiple compartments, the shields are irreparably gone as are most of our turbo lasers and i'm commanding the ship from the backup bridge but we're still up somehow. On behalf of the whole crew, thank you Lieutenants. We owe you one also Taskforce Sol." Captain Sidem answered, sounding optimistic. If only the whole Alliance's Navy would have guts like that woman.
"Our pleasure. You did a great job to hold the line in face of such an overwhelming enemy force. Medic and engineer teams are getting ready to shuttle over as we speak. Our condolences to your losses." Artemis let the other Captain know.
Terra Squadron got ready to escort the Lartys with first responders over to the Mon Cal Cruisers while AICA, the Voyager and the Y-Wing took a last turn over the small flotilla.
"Hey Haruka, you were right. It was a long day." SunTzu told his fellow pilot.
She answered with a wheeze.
"Too long. I never saw so many fighters in combat at once."
"You tell me. I got 9 just from back here." Michiru replied.
"5 on my complete own." AICA stated. "Can a star fighter get a medal too?"
"Also 5." Hotaru came on suddenly.
"3." Rei continued.
"32. Those multi-lock-warheads are a gift from god. How much do you have SunTzu?"
He didn't answer for a moment.
"31." He finally pressed out, Haruka acknowledged being today's top scorer with a loud Haha towards SunTzu.
The first of the three star fighters to enter the hangar was the Double Seater Y-Wing, with minimal help of R5-U7, the astromech droid in the back, Hotaru landed on the assigned landing spot.
SunTzu came next, keeping a close eye on his two girls in front and complimenting Hotaru's landing. Not bad for the first time in a fighter she never flew before, astromech or not. The girl was just born to fly.
Rei on the backseat was turned around the whole landing and was waving and throwing kisses and hearts to him. He couldn't wait to enfold her in his arms. Eight days and almost dying were too long.
The Voyager came third, landing next to SunTzu.
"Ah fuck! Our stuff on board the Shadow!" Haruka remembered.
"Good thing I keep my Violine In here." Michiru stated.
"You guys go and take a break. I'll see if I can save something." SunTzu came in.
"Ever the gentleman." Michiru replied with a grateful smile under her flight helmet.
SunTzu stayed put for a moment after he landed. He took off his helmet and took a deep breather.
"Thank you AICA. We wouldn't be still here without you."
"Just doing what I was built for. Thanks for bringing us home in one piece."
He petted the top of the console.
"Get out of here SunTzu. The girls are waiting." AICA said in a low volume.
"You know what i do." He replied.
The canopy opened and he climbed out the cockpit. When he stepped on the deck he felt it. The pain and the exhaustion.
Haruka and Michiru landed beside him, helmets already off too. The trio looked horrible, mentally and physically exhausted, soaked with sweat and red eyed but they were grinning at each other.
Rei jumped out of the cockpit as soon as the canopy opened, leaving behind a smiling Hotaru.
She ran over to the other two fighters. Her heart was jumping, she finally was with him again. After she almost lost him forever.
She came there and suddenly stopped in her step.
The two Outer Senshi and SunTzu were embracing in a hug. She waited respectfully, this was a hug between three friends that just went to hell and made it back somehow.
After a few moments they ended the embrace and Haruka ruffled SunTzu's hair, saying something to mock him.
"SunTzu!" Rei yelled his name and again started running towards him.
Fuck whoever was watching now.
She jumped into his arms and they both embraced each other. It felt like it had been a life time.
They were about to kiss when Haruka cleared her throat and the couple snapped.
The kissing had to wait, the hangar was full with people.
"I thought I'd never see you again." He whispered as he put her down.
"I was worried that we would be too late."
They tenderly hugged each other again.
In the meantime Hotaru showed up. Haruka put on a grim face when she saw her and walked up to her. Unexpectedly she hugged the teenage girl.
"Thanks for saving us. That was some pretty good flying."
"Haruka-Papa…"
Michiru came over too and hugged the girl also when Haruka stopped with her embrace.
"Next time you ask before you blindly rush into combat." Haruka still told the girl.
Hotaru nodded, looking guilty.
"Hey Kiddo, you're not even official a pilot and got more scores than most of the Starfighter Corps."
SunTzu walked over to her, Rei behind him, secretly holding his hand.
"But Haruka still is right."
"I'm always right. And you know what? I'm out of here now." She lifted Michiru up and threw her on her shoulder.
The teal haired girl started to protest but had to laugh loud also.
"We don't want to be disturbed for the next hours. SunTzu, thanks for getting our stuff from the Shadow. I'll see you later at the cafeteria."
Haruka, still carrying Michiru walked out of the hangar.
"We should get going too, before someone starts asking questions." Rei said to Hotaru and the two girls began to walk away too.
"Hey, I still need to talk to you two. What you did was dangerous." SunTzu followed the two raven haired girls and scolded them. They weren't even listening.
Rei had her arms locked behind her neck.
"You know, he was just afraid that something would happen to us. He's actually not angry." The older Senshi told the younger, while SunTzu was doing a monologue behind them.
"I know. He's just trying to mask his fear."
"Exactly."
They passed rows of boxes again and Rei looked around if someone was nearby.
"Hotaru-Chan, would you please look out for a moment that nobody comes close?"
The teenager looked at her with a inquiring look but agreed .
"Uhm. Sure, I guess."
"Thank you." Rei replied politly and stopped. She turned around and pulled SunTzu in between the rows of boxes.
Halfway in she gave him a very passionate kiss full of longing. He reciprocated the kiss.
"The next time I tell you not to go somewhere you don't go!" Now she scolded him.
"I had orders." He replied, while he hugged her as firm as he could.
She punched his chest.
"And I had fear. Next time I go with you or you don't go at all. That's an order from the Queen's First Diplomat, Mister."
"Thanks for saving us." He kissed her again.
"And now go and try to relax a bit. I'll be back soon." That said he turned around.
"Where are you going?" She asked, not angry but curious.
"Going back to the Shadow. I figure they need every help they can get."
She looked down to the deck and smiled.
"Always trying to safe the day."
"There's still some of ours in need of help out on the Shadow."
She pulled him around and kissed him again.
"Okay, I'll be waiting here. And take a shower when you come back. You smell."
They came out of the row of boxes again.
"You two are worse than teenagers, you know that?" Hotaru told them, looking skeptically.
SunTzu took the next flight over to the Shadow and at the hangar, filled with injured crew members asked where he could help.
Doc Martens sent him over to a medic team on it's way into the upper decks of the Cruiser.
He helped the team for two hours giving first aid and recovering service personnel up there.
When all of the wounded and dead had been recovered and either flown over to the Far Side or brought to the Medbay of the Shadow or it's second makeshift sick bay near the hangar he went to backup bridge.
The pilot walked over to Captain Sidem, the Togrutan looked ten years older than this morning when they left the ship.
She was happy to see him and thanked him personally again after they both saluted.
"What's happening with the Shadow now?" SunTzu asked.
"The Anakin Solo will escort us to the next dry dock. I don't think the Shadow will have a comeback. At least she'll takes on her last journey on her own."
"Thanks to you Captain. It was my honor."
"It was my honor. Greet your wingmen. And may the force be with you."
"May the force be with you Ma'am."
SunTzu left the bridge and went to their quarter. They didn't bring much and he put everything in a bag.
When he was done he went to the door but stopped mid step.
He turned around and looked a last time into the room, before he went off to the hangar.
One of the Far Side's Gunships was taking another flight over to the Gladiator, shuttling some of the responders with it.
SunTzu jumped in and settled down, the tiredness overwhelmed him now completely.
He already closed his eyes when someone dropped down next to him.
"You never stop, do you?"
It was Makoto, she had boarded the shuttle too, after helping on the Shadow.
SunTzu opened his eyes and looked at the Senshi of Courage.
"Hey Mako. I heard they needed help her. Men were still missing."
The tall brunette nodded, she understood. No men left behind.
"I'm glad you guys made it. That was a lot of space fighters out there."
"Yeah, we wouldn't have made it if the Far Side wouldn't have had arrived." He told her bluntly, looking straight into nothing.
"You should thank Rei for that." Makoto told him with a small smile.
He glanced up to her.
"She had a Vision, that something will happen to you guys a few days ago. And she didn't stop annoying everyone with it until Ami got some data together and found a strange signal. One hour later we were in Hyperspace." She paused for a moment and made a circle with her hand. "I don't know if you heard it yet, but shutdown CIS Ships all over the galaxy had been reawakened from a system. Intelligence is still all over it, but if you ask me, same Force behind the Mercs and Pirates. There will be more fighting Tin Cans incoming, mark my words."
SunTzu was awake again. That wasn't exactly good news, nobody knew how much CIS Ships and Equipment still was inactive in the Galaxy.
But on the other side he now knew who was to be thanked for why he and the girls were still alive. He had to see her ASAP.
The Larty touched down in the Far Side's Hangar and SunTzu jumped out, closely followed by Makoto.
"I know you're on your way to a certain someone. But take a shower first. You look and smell horrible." Makoto passed him as he stopped walking after hearing her comment.