Rei had her head laying on SunTzu's chest and listened to the calm and steady beating of his heart, the pilot still was sleeping. After they left the balcony last night, they went to bed and both fell asleep instantly. She was glad he finally find some peace for his obvious troubled mind. The Senshi didn't know what he went through exactly or how he accomplished the mission but it must had disturbed him deeply.
Next time I'll make sure he's not going. What did he say… Expandable Asset. No. He isn't an asset, he's my man. And I'm gonna let the galaxy know about this more than ever before…
By tomorrow they would be back on Coruscant, SunTzu came back earlier than expected but since the Taskforce was still pretty much grounded she had cleared with Artemis that she would take him along to Coruscant for the next few days. Officially on paper as written order, as her bodyguard as well as adjutant of the Forces of the Sol System.
The drum of his heart had the usual relaxing effect on her and a few moments later she fell asleep again.
One hour later she awoke again, pretty much at the same time he did.
Her hand gently rubbed over his face and he closed his eyes under the pleasant sensation.
After a few moments SunTzu gently grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"I love you." He said and laid the hand on his face again and she kissed his chest at the height of his heart.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't there yesterday. I hope you had a great time."
"Would have been even better with you. But it's my fault as well." She turned her head and looked up into his face now, their eyes meeting.
"I'm sorry, Ada sent you on that mission. I feel bad that I let her."
"It's not your fault Rei."
"But I could have protested. I don't know what you did and honestly I think it's better for me if you don't tell me, but whatever it was, it messed with your head."
"I did my job."
"Your job first and for all is to guard the Senshi. I don't care what Ada says, she's just a spy. I am a Senator."
"She probably was just passing orders further as well."
"Still. If Intelligence wants you to ever work with them again, they better make damn sure that it is on our terms." She sat up and took his other hand in hers as well.
"There's also something else I want to apologize about."
SunTzu lifted his head up, trying to read her face.
"Apologize? What is it?"
"I want to apologize that I still didn't manage to introduce you to my grandfather. I had a conversation with Minako yesterday. She thinks it's kind of a big deal for you."
SunTzu laid his head back down and took a moment before he answered.
"To be honest. Yes, yes it is. For… for reasons."
"Reasons. I see." Rei began to smile. "I guess besting me is important as well then." She joked.
"It is." SunTzu smiled as well and jolted up, suddenly grabbing after Rei and trying to pull her close to him, while she playfully tried to evade his grasp.
Their eyes locked and they drowned in each other's eyes for a moment, their faces and mouths slowly closing in, when it suddenly banged on the door.
Rei rolled her eyes.
"Can't a girl just have one moment of privacy in this damn palace?"
She got up, took her Yukata from a chair nearby and and put it on, before she walked to the door and opened it.
"Good Morning Senator Hotness! Ohhhh… from the look on your face I assume I was disturbing you while you were doing... something." She looked past the black haired Senshi and began to grin. "Or rather doing someone. Hi SunTzu!"
"Hi Mina!" The German answered and began to smile.
Minako turned back to Rei and hushed in her ear.
"You guys should be lucky I was the only other person on the floor last night."
"I don't have any idea what you're talking about, Minako."
"Oh come on Rei, I'm in the room next door, I heard you guys. Even if you'd tried to be quiet, I guess."
"Goddamit Minako, sometimes I get the impression your not the Reincarnation of the Goddess of Love but of the Goddess of Lewd." Rei hushed back, slightly annoyed.
"The Goddess of Lewd? I like that. Anyways since I guess you guys are hungry after last night, I brought breakfast." She produced a bag. "Let's have breakfast together?"
Rei sighed and then stepped aside.
"Fine. TopGun, put on some pants the First of the Senshi brought us some breakfast!"
Without any care in the world and while SunTzu just checked if he at least was wearing shorts the blonde jumped onto the bed and began to produce food out of the bag on the bed.
"We have Taiyaki, Dorayaki and Melonpan. Just take what you want."
Rei followed Minako onto the bed and laid down next to SunTzu.
"Sometimes I wonder how you and Usagi managed to not get Diabetes yet." She shook her head. "You don't have coffee?"
"Of course I have." The blonde produced a can, it was still warm.
"Otherwise I would have dead ass kicked you out again." The black haired replied.
"Oh, by the way. A bird, or rather a cat told me that your impulse buy from yesterday has arrived."
SunTzu's glance wandered from his half eaten piece of pastry over to his girlfriend.
"What did you buy?" He asked his girlfriend.
"You didn't tell him yet?" Minako asked amused, before she took a bite out of a dorayaki.
Rei pressed her lips together for moment.
"I might have bought a car yesterday. As gift for myself. Because I deserved something as reward."
"A car? You really bought a car?"
"I had saved money up. I was already paid well and some money needs to be spent for the economy. And the shrine is also running well lately."
"But it's not that one buys a car just like that."
"Says the multi-millionaire."
"Hey, I'm saving up to buy AICA."
"See! And I saved up to buy a car."
"Do I sense some sexual tension building up in this bed?" Minako chimed in, observing the altercation between the two lovers.
"Minako, not now!" Rei replied.
Suddenly SunTzu's phone began to ring and he grabbed it on the night stand.
"I have to take this." He said, jumped out of bed and disappeared in the bath room.
"Nice boxers!" Minako yelled after him and earned herself another annoyed look from Rei.
"What? They had a nice a print on it."
SunTzu came back and smiled.
"What happened? Got a booty call from your aerodynamically perfectly shaped side chick?" Rei asked with a sly grin.
"Nope. I'm pretty sure that AICA is somewhere out with Hotaru already anyway. I just heard great news. I have a surprise for you later."
"Can't wait to see what it is." A happily smiling Rei, laying stretched out next to Minako, said. The newly appointed Senator seemed to be completely relaxed.
"I leave you guys to your surprises, lovey-dovey-stuff now and tend to my own."
"Whatcha doing Mina?"
"This Bad Bishoju scored a booty call for the afternoon and needs to properly get ready for it."
"Minako, please tell me it's not the Prince!"
"Wha… No! I already told you me and Big Willy are long way past. And my date is even better than him. Remember that hot stud from that sitcom I had a cameo in few months ago? Well he got caught in the Venus-Love-Me-Chain." The Blonde winked.
"God Minako, why you just don't look for a down-to-earth guy. You know, like I did." Rei replied and that statement sparked a fulfilled smile from her boyfriend.
"Oh, I'm sorry but Force-sensitive-starfighter-pilot-millionaire-guys are rather rare to find nowadays Rei."
"That's not what I meant Mina." Rei glanced at SunTzu. "And you stop smiling. Don't let this get to your head TopGun."
"I know. But it's not that easy, it's not my fault the galaxy is full with boys that can't handle a goddess. Hey SunTzu, when you stumble over a clone facility, don't forget. You but more light hair."
"Sure, for you I'd always gladly spit in a test tube Mina." SunTzu said, phone in his hand briefly looking over.
Rei shook her head.
"You two…"
"Anyways, I'm really off for now." Minako stated and got up and Rei followed.
After checking herself in the mirror, Minako turned back to SunTzu.
"Pilot, as always it was a pleasure spending time in bed with you. Take good care of Senator Hotness on Coruscant."
"Will do. Thanks for breakfast Minako."
Minako turned around again and the two women walked over to the door.
"You take care. Let me know when you leave and get back back please."
"Yes Mum."
"For real Minako. If the guy is doing something wrong, I'll end his bloodline."
Minako began to smile.
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself as you know." Saying that she briefly struck the Sailor V Pose. "But I appreciate the concern. Will you be good on Coruscant?"
"I have TopGun with me and I got some other Senators looking out for me as well. But I do appreciate the concern as well."
"Oh Rei." Minako caressed Rei's face. "Galactic Senator. I'll miss having you around."
"Hey, I'm not out of this galaxy. And besides, Coruscant is just a few hours away. Also I'm trying to get as much stuff done from here and the Far Side as I can so I'll be around most of the time anyway, it's just for the next few days."
"Hope so. Bye Bestie." Minako kissed Rei on the cheek. "Bye SunTzu!"
"Bye Minako." The pilot lying on the bed answered.
The two Senshi hugged each other and Minako left.
As soon as the door closed SunTzu looked up from his phone again.
"Who's Crown Prince Big Willy?"
"Don't ask. Just don't ask."
Rei smiled, she'd miss having Minako around as well. But maybe she would concentrate more on learning then.
"I'm getting ready now. And by getting ready now, I mean I'm taking a shower and would gladly accept your company."
Within a second SunTzu was up from the bed.
The couple got ready and left Rei's room.
Him dressed in an uniform of the Taskforce and her dressed in buisness attire they headed for the palace gate.
When they arrived they got out of the Humvee the private at the motor pool had used to get them there. On the way SunTzu tried to find out which kind of car Rei had bought but his girlfriend kept it a secret.
"Why you don't want to tell me?" SunTzu asked as they went to the post at the gate.
"Don't be so curious. And now excuse me, they told me that they left the documents and key with the guard at watch."
"Whatever." SunTzu said and lighted a cigarette.
A few moments later, with a folder of documents came back from the guard house.
With her finger she motioned him to come along and, still smoking, he followed her.
In between all the cars at the parking lot she finally stopped.
"There it is."
SunTzu's cigarette fell out of his mouth as his jaw dropped.
"That's a Porsche!" He stammered out.
"Yes… that's a Porsche." She shrugged. "I liked the color."
They stood in front of a brandnew red Porsche 911 Cabriolet.
"Isn't that a bit… too much horsepower?"
She eyed him with an askewed look.
"Says the guy flying a cockpit around two rockets. Remember how I mastered that Lamborghini in Italy."
Point for you Moeru Shōjo.
She produced the car key and waved it around.
"Join me for a test drive?"
SunTzu had been riding along with Mamoru and Haruka, ain't now way it could be worse.
Ten minutes later he regretted his thinking.
"A car needs to be driven flat out!" Rei stated when she crossed the 250 km/h on the speedometer on one of the bridges, halfway between Crystal and Old Tokyo, passing cars wherever she could.
I should have been conspicuous when she said, that she insisted on a diplomatic number plate.
"Feels great, doesn't it?" Rei asked as she rocketed over the right lane, while SunTzu's grasped around his seat.
As soon as she arrived at the other side of the bridge she turned around and drove back onto the bridge, destination Crystal Tokyo now and she didn't drove there any slower as on her way to the mainland.
A few minutes later, the Porsche was racing over the bridge, she glanced at SunTzu for a minute.
"We're getting company."
A second later a black narrow shaped something appeared next to the red sportscar.
"Hey, that's AICA!" SunTzu yelled out and the pilot, just a few meters away from them waved at the car. "And Hotaru."
SunTzu waved back and Hotaru gave him a two finger salute and accelerated.
"Oh, I can do that too!" Rei busted out and accelerated even more.
For the blink of an eye she could keep up with the A-Wing but then Hotaru accelerated even more and blasted away.
Back at the parking lot, SunTzu needed a moment before he was able to get out.
"That was the revenge for my first flight back then." Rei said and kissed his cheek before she got out. She began to laugh.
"You should see your face TopGun."
Rei marveled a few minutes more at her new car, while SunTzu needed another cigarette.
After smoking they went back to the palace, Rei had to work and SunTzu decided to hit up the gym and also get some range time in.
For lunch they met again, and the three Senshi that were part of the Starfighter Corps as well as Ami and Makoto joined them.
"SunTzu I want you to come over to my office later. I'll brief you on the security situation for Rei."
"Will do, although if things go south I just cram her in AICA and haul ass."
"When are you guys flying anyway?" Michiru asked.
"Whenever Rei is ready this evening. We'll take AICA."
"Uhm… actually we will fly commercially tonight TopGun."
"What? Why?"
"Reasons. And It's not bad if Hotaru can get a bit more flying hours in." Both raven haireds smiled at each other.
"If you insist." SunTzu said and rolled his eyes.
"I do." Rei leaned in and they kissed.
"Guess I'll get going then to get a last flight in. Hey Girls, let's find someone to spare with? Somewhere between her and Guam?"
"Sounds fun. I'm up." Haruka answered and looked at Michiru. The teal haired nodded as well.
"You're coming along as well small one? Haruka-Papa can show you some new tricks." Haruka asked Hotaru and earned avid nodding from the teenager.
"Good, then I'll get the permission from Artemis in while you get the snubs ready." Michiru said and SunTzu looked at Rei.
"Of course you can go and play with your friends TopGun. But don't let Aunt Ami wait."
A few hours later the two starfighters came back again, after finding a flight of four JASDF F-2 that were willing and permitted to exercise dogfighting with the starfighters.
Although the fighters from Crystal Tokyo just used their lasers for the fake dogfight the Japanese Jets didn't stand a chance against the aces.
But the four pilots of the F-2s were glad and thankful for the exercise. And the four Guardians got some action in, so they were happy as well.
SunTzu surprised the other three when he excused himself for a moment and landed briefly in the Juban Arcades, next to the Osa-P Jewelry.
"When someone complains lift her up." The Pilot said to a dumbfounded Hotaru and jumped out of the cockpit.
A few minutes later he came back out of the jewelry store and got back Into the cockpit, holding a wrapped gift.
"What was that about?" Hotaru, still surprised asked.
"I wanted to get a surprise for Rei before we leave."
"What is it?" The teenager now asked, full of curiosity.
"Oh, so far I only told AICA, but If you can keep a secret, I'll tell you."
A few minutes later they landed at the base and after a hearty goodbye for the time being with the three flying Outer Senshi he left for the palace again and went to Ami's office.
The blue haired genius gave him the latest Intel about the security on Coruscant, it basically was the same as I had been before and then the two good friends bid farewell to each other.
"If I'm bored I'll visit you two for a night in a club". Ami joked as he left.
He went over to the diplomatic office but Rei was still busy and would need two hours or more still.
"Don't worry, we still have plenty of time before the flight. And I know a great place for Sukiyaki at the airport we can head for dinner."
She said before she kissed him and he went on.
On the way back to the Crystal Tower he bumped into Makoto, she was on the way to the gym.
"I'm getting some afternoon pump in, care to join?" The sportive and well-trained brunette said after the pilot asked where she was heading.
"Yup, i'm down for it. Just give me a minute to change."
"Sure, I'll need a spotter anyway."
Two hours later, it was around seven in the evening, after training or finishing work in her case, showering and packing SunTzu and Rei were in one of the Palace's SUVs, chauffeured by a Palace Guard in a suit, on their way to Haneda's Spaceport.
As they were sitting in the back, SunTzu opened small aluminum suitcase next to him. They were both dressed in business attire, sporting a distinct partner look. Rei's eyes widened when SunTzu opened the combination lock on the suitcase. In it was a MP7 and some spare ammo. This time SunTzu was officially accompanying the Senator as Personal Security Detachment and therefore it had been taken care of, that he could carry weapons. What sparked Rei's interest more though was the gift paper wrapped package inside. SunTzu took it out and closed the suitcase firmly again. SunTzu looked up, the gift in his hand.
"Hey, I got a small something for you. Or rather us."
He handed her the gift and she began to unwrap it cautiously.
It's too big for a ring. Or is it? TopGun, what are you doing?
She looked at the middle sized black Etui in front of her that was under the gift paper.
The Rolex Sign was on it.
"Are you fucking kidding me!?"
"Please open it." SunTzu requested his mildly shocked girlfriend with a smile.
Rei did as told and slowly opened the box. Inside were two identical Rolex Datejust Watches, in white gold, with the numerics being pieces of diamonds. A smaller and a bigger one. Rei was completely silent by now.
"It might be a bit corny but I wanted to give you something for your inauguration and something for the both of us as sign of our love. Unfortunately It took a bit longer to get them ready."
SunTzu gently opened the watch Rei was wearing, the Cartier Watch he had gifted her at the beginning of their relationship and took the smaller watch out of the box and replaced the black and gold watch with it.
He stored the Cartier in the box before he opened his communicator and placed it in the box as well and put on his own Rolex.
Rei still marveled at her watch.
As he closed the watch around his wrist she suddenly grabbed his face and planted a firm kiss on his lips.
"Do you like it?"
"Like? I freaking love it!" She marveled at the expensive watch again.
"Scolding me for buying a car and then this." She giggled and grabbed his hand and kissed it before she took his arm and moved his wrist to hers. Both of their watches next to each other now. She smiled at it.
"Stay like this!"
She pulled her phone out and took a picture before she kissed him again.
They did the check in and had dinner at the airport.
When they had finished and were on their way to the security control they came onto a big knot of people.
"Babe, I have to confess something to you." Rei said, walking hand in hand with SunTzu through the air- and spaceport.
"There's a certain reason, why I booked this flight."
"Hm?" SunTzu asked.
"I don't know if you had a glance at the internet yesterday."
Oh, I had. And I still kinda regret it.
Rei looked at him for a moment, his facial expression getting dark and they stopped.
"I guess you have so. Well, then you know how much the Internet gossiped about us yesterday. And how much they let it out on you." He could feel the grasp of her hand gently getting stronger.
"That's why I decided to let the world know what's really up. I want everybody to know, that I love you and how important you are for me." She leaned in and kissed him.
"You are not an asset to me. You are my soulmate." She rubbed her hand tenderly over his face.
"That knot of people is the fans and media besieging a famous K-Pop-Girlgroup on their way back to Seoul. And that's the way why we take this flight, Minako and I developed a plan to get maximum attention and Ami helped us, so of course by pure chance we are at the airport as well. Together. If that's cool for you."
"Fuck yeah. Let's shut down the haters."
The couple causally walked over to the gathering of people, Rei linked In close to SunTzu.
Two girls, fans of the four K-Pop-Singers, turned around and noticed Rei and SunTzu.
"ReiTzu!" One of the girls yelled out and immediately heads, as well as cameras, turned around.
SunTzu and Rei acted like they were surprised and were immediately swarmed as well, holding hands in a way that their matching watches were visible. Hanging around with Minako Aino does make you a social media and PR expert.
"Senator, where are you heading?"
"What's the shoes Senator?"
Cameras clicked and the couple posed a bit. And of course questions about their relationship came up almost instantly.
"Are you guys still a thing?"
"You answer that for yourself." Rei said and snuggled onto SunTzu.
"Where were you yesterday SunTzu?"
"That's confidential." The Pilot answered in a severe tone.
"Saving the galaxy. That's what he was doing yesterday." Rei answered. "And not being a keyboard warrior bad-mouthing over other people's private life."
The couple moved forward and one of the four singers smiled and waved friendly at the Senator.
Rei smiled back and the couple walked up to the quartet and introduced themselves friendly.
"A picture! Please girls! With the Senator and her boyfriend in the middle!" The paparazzi were asking.
Of course they took pictures in middle. One of them with the couple lovingly looking Into each other's eyes, with the four girls surrounding them.
The pop group and the lovers split up and while the girl group took some pictures with fans some people even came up and asked the Pilot and the Senator for a picture together. They even had to sign autographs. SunTzu was a bit overwhelmed but with a shy smile signed the stuff that was shoved in his face.
A few minutes later they told that they really had to go and, together with the girl group, they left for the security check. On the way Rei and the girls talked for a bit and Rei, who told the girls that she and her best friend Minako Aino were quite the fans, was rather surprised as the girls told her they saw her as a role model for a powerful woman.
"Let's have a coffee together when we're all in Seoul or Tokyo again, alright?" She bid farewell to the group and SunTzu bowed down with a warm smile to the girls.
"They were nice. And they gave me their emails. Even told me to forward it to Minako." Rei said as they walked through security, showing the documents that they didn't needed to be checked.
"I didn't know that you speak Korean." SunTzu said.
"Just a tad bit. Diplomat things I guess." She shrugged and smiled.
"Guess we might go viral with this again."
"Pretty sure. I mean, name a cuter couple." She said and squeezed his hand. "And the Palace and me have some more good PR as well. You know how things work nowadays."
"Which is good for everyone until Artemis and Ami scowl me for OPSEC."
"They won't. And after all, you're my bodyguard, it's only right to let galaxy know that I have the bravest warrior and best pilot in the whole of it at my side."
They boarded the flight and just as they were about to store their hand luggage a flight attended came over.
"Senator Hino? Our company would gladly update you to First Class. For free of course, if you just could mention it in Social Media."
Rei looked at SunTzu and smiled.
Yup, that's how things on Earth work today.
"I'd really like to but I can only if my Bodyguard can sit beside me."
"Of course Ma'am, I'll let the Purser know." The young woman was silent for a moment and then smiled. "If I might add something on a personal note. I'm quite the fan of you two."
Rei produced a beaming smile and even SunTzu's lips curled up.
"Well then, why we don't take a picture together?" Rei asked the flight attended, whos eyes began to sparkle as she heard that.
They just had left off from the space port and were ascending into the nightly sky, when Rei, busy with Social Media on her phone and last minute work on her laptop turned to SunTzu who was scrolling through the board magazine.
"We're getting company again."
SunTzu reached out with the force as well and yeah, she was right.
"Dear passengers, please don't be surprised, the Forces of the Royal Kingdom of Crystal Tokyo will depart the new Senator of our Solar System with an honorary escort while we ascend into space." The Pilot just had spoken his words, when left and right from the large shuttle AICA and the Voyager appeared.
Rei and SunTzu looked out the window and waved at the Voyager next to them. And they were pretty sure that they saw Michiru on the gunner seat waving back.
An hour later Rei had finally finished her work, she told SunTzu that she now had a social media page as the Senator as well to manage along. Afterwards she had a short chat via text with Minako as the pics with the K-Pop-Group and the SunRei-Pics already went viral again.
The blonde urged the black haired to post some more and shut up their critics even more as she would to too. Three minutes later she first posted how nice it was to see a certain K-Pop-Band with her Bestie and that she would love to have met them too and then a repost of a picture showing SunTzu and Rei, in their basically matching outfits, their matching watches were also visible.
The caption read:
So if #SunRei broke up, why they're rocking matching outfits and matching watches? #dearinternet #curious #fuckthehaters
And a few blank lines lots of emojis and more hashtags like couplegoals, TeamSunRei, SenatorHotness and the like.
A minute after Minako asked Rei if she would get a Rolex too, as she was the one who made sure they'd get together finally, sparking laughter from the couple.
"Damn, I'm gonna miss her. I don't know how she always comes up with this stuff."
Soon Rei slept in, legs curled up and a blanket over her body.
SunTzu gently stroked her back while he looked out the window into the blue, black and white that hyperspace was. For the first time this day he had time to take a breather and think about everything that had happened today and the day before.
He was better, that was for sure. And he didn't feel any anger anymore, sure a bit of regret but on the other side, is it cold murder if you kill an opponent that should be a more capable warrior as you are, especially if it's on a mission from the top of the government? On the other side it still bugged him, that they were veterans and what their presumed motive was. Was it really survival. Or was it greed after all? What helped the troubled force-sensitive immensely was the love and affection that Rei displayed, in public and in private. He had to smile when he thought about how bright her face had shone when she regarded the two watches next to each other, a sign of their unity. And her determination when she told that she would let anybody know that she loved him.
And with the warmth and comfort that this made him feel inside, he finally napped away as well.
They arrived at Coruscant and took a repulsor cab to Rei's apartment and immediately went to bed.
The next morning the first thing they decided to do was to meditate together. Rei was secretly relieved to still not find any signs of anger or the dark side inside her boyfriend, just a certain kind of insecurity if he did the right and regret.
"I'm sorry, that this mission is still bothering you. Is there something I can do?"
SunTzu grimaced.
"Well, I don't know, but not only for me but also for the rest of us who are members of the forces. This galaxy should treat it's veterans better. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a politician and I don't have much of an idea about the things that are necessary for this to change but… I think things would be different if we treated them better. This goes for the Shadow Wars as well."
Rei was listening silently, seeing and feeling his uneasiness.
"I do understand it. It's not usual for new senators to make a fuzz but I see what I can do."
After meditating some cardio followed before the lovers got ready and left. The couple decided to have breakfast at a cafe near the Senate and took a cab to the Senate Plaza.
"Amaterasu, I love that they have TripAdvisor and Yelp on Coruscant as well now. Oh by the way, have you heard that Twitter goes live on the holonet as well?" Rei opened another app in her phone. "Reminds me that I wanted to check how the Internet reacted to yesterday evening."
And the internet reacted more than well-disposed. People and media were praising the couple for shutting down the rumors, especially how Rei handled it, and their adversaries as well as for their style and how they interacted with everybody.
"TopGun, I think we're kinda famous now."
So much for undercover jobs then.
The couple had a small breakfast and the went over to the Senate. Of course media and photographers were waiting there and of course everybody wanted a picture of the Galaxy's newest Senator.
The good thing about your boyfriend being in the military is, that when it's getting too much for you, you just give him a subtle hint and he can get you out because of safety reasons without making anybody angry.
Even better when you can communicate halfway telepathically.
TopGun, aren't you the best.
While Rei began to work with her small team in her office, SunTzu didn't wanted to be useless and made a bug security check of the office.
Izumi, Rei's secretary was a bit dumbfounded when he asked her how good she could shoot, but other than that his check stayed without any special occurrences.
SunTzu followed Rei and her staff along to a hearing inside the convocation chamber, something about the budget for the galactical infrastructure, something that was important for earth too.
While the staff was working on, SunTzu rushed over the plaza into the next best convenience restaurant and got lunch for all of them.
In the afternoon Rei went to some smaller meetings and SunTzu was always there, silent but attentive. As always when he acted like her bodyguard.
And his proudness about how and why she did things, in life and in her profession, hadn't changed either.
Rei on the other side recognized how happy and plain grateful he was just to be around her.
And how he tried to make her and his surroundings happy all of the time, even though his last mission still nagged at him.
She should reward him with something she thought. And she immediately thought of what that could be.
When they got home in the early afternoon he went for another sport session. While he was training, she secretly left the apartment to run some errands. SunTzu was so focused he didn't even recognized that Rei left the apartment.
When she came back he just had finished and was under the shower.
Perfect. You'll love this TopGun.
While he was still in the shower she rushed into the kitchen and began to unpack the things she just had shopped for.
A few minutes later SunTzu came out of the bathroom, a towel around his hips. Although he wanted to scamper to the bedroom and get dressed he couldn't help but instead go the kitchen first.
"This is smelling wonderful. Almost like one of your curries."
"Maybe because it is one of my curries. Well, it's a bit modified because I couldn't get some ingredients at the Gaian Supermarket and I'll have to use nerf instead of beef but it should do."
SunTzu stepped over to Rei, the Senshi was standing over a cutting board and dicing an onion. He was directly standing behind her now.
"And always when I think you can't get any better you proof me wrong. From diplomat to Senator, from Super Senshi to Galactic Senshi and now from Japanese kitchen to intergalactic fusion kitchen."
He leaned down and kissed the back of her neck just above the shoulder.
She began to giggle and protested.
"Stop it, I have to cook. And your hair is still wet, better dry it, before you get Ill."
"Yes Mum."
She smiled at turned around, jokingly looking at the knife and then at him.
"Okay, okay. I go."
"Set the table when your done, I'll hurry here."
The Karē tasted a bit different than at home but It was great nonetheless.
It's the small things SunTzu thought after the meal, when the couple was enjoying their evening, cuddling together on the spacey couch in the apartment.
The next day pretty much began as the day before and SunTzu took a back seat while Rei attended her senatorial buisness.
Somewhen in the early afternoon he received a holo text message from an unknown number, the couple and Izumi were having a coffee break in between meetings.
He smiled and shook his head in disbelief after reading it.
"Rei, you won't believe who just wrote me and invited us for dinner."
The Senator curiously looked at her boyfriend and shrugged.
"Who?"
"Our old friend Zed-Zed Nel. He's on Coruscant at the moment."
"Really? How did he get your number."
SunTzu looked blank at her for a moment.
"Never mind. Sounds like something more is behind this. We should go."
"Yeah, we should. I'm letting Ami know asap." The Pilot said and went into a quiet corner of the senate building.
SunTzu called up Ami and informed her about the proposed meeting. Ami expected something behind it as well but wouldn't know what. The only thing Intelligence knew was that Nel was still after the people behind the murder attempt on his life, which had been spoiled thanks to Rei and SunTzu. Maybe he knew more by now.
SunTzu decided to definitely bring his Glock and a knife this time before he answered the Gungan that the couple would join him.
Zed-Zed Nel answered that a limousine would pick them up then at 7pm CST in front of their building.
Punctual on the minute, a repulsor stretch limousine touched down in front of the tall apartment building.
Rei was wearing a sophisticated black midi dress with a slit, showing off quite the décolleté and black high heels.
SunTzu was wearing a black suit, white shirt and a slick black tie, his pistol concealed on a holster at his hip and a small karambit knife in a holster in his jacket.
Rei took no chances at well, SunTzu knew that she had a bunch of Ofuda stored in the waistband of her panties.
He smiled when he thought about it as he couldn't wait to take them out from there later on. If they wouldn't need them before, which he didn't hope.
The Limousine bright them to the Restaurant Indigo Tower in the Senate District.
It was another top class address in the Senate Adress and was located on a spire built on one of the highest points of the senate district, therefore towering over the rest of the buildings and the restaurant, which was rotating around the spire, gave an unique and expensive look over the city.
Only the wealthiest were actually able to dine there, yet get a table.
But for the most notorious information broker in the galaxy getting a table wasn't a problem at all.
What surprised the two lovers were the photographers at the entrance to the tower. Like if they had been waiting they immediately began taking pictures of Rei and her boyfriend, but how did they know?
Obviously the couple was famous on Coruscant as well now.
After a few moments the couple was welcomed by the chief waiter and led inside, where a huge and opulently decorated repulsor lift brought them to the actual restaurant.
They weren't lead into the regular dining room but rather into one of the private dining rooms.
Zed Zed Nel was sitting on a smaller table inside, his personal bodyguard, the Tiiani Kla'dok standing behind him, hands behind his back.
The Gungan Information Broker broke into his brightest smile when he saw the two Earthlings enter.
"If that ain't my two favorite Gaians." He got up and walked over to Rei and SunTzu, where he greeted Rei with an implied hand kiss and SunTzu with a firm handshake.
Kla'dok greeted the two with a firm bow.
"I know what you might be thinking now. A Gungan in the Senatorial District, this probably means we're getting a new Emperor but don't worry, I was just around for business and the exquisite food in this restaurant and thought while not invite some friends."
They sat down and the sophisticated Gungan waved the waiting head waiter over and ordered a crazy expensive bottle of Coruscanti Champagne as aperitif.
"As I've been noticing lately that you two are doing headlines all the way between here and Gaia I took the freedom to inform the yellow press that the Galaxy's new dream couple was going to eat at the Indigo Tower tonight." He smiled disarmingly. "I'm sorry but I just adore these pictures of the two of you. There should be even more."
The champagne was brought and the waiter poured each one of them a glass.
Zed-Zed Nel raised his glass.
"To the newly appointed Senator Hino. And that myself, how do you say on Gaia, shipped the two of you before you were famous."
The couple had to laugh and they all toasted.
After a bit of the usual small talk they ordered food.
"I heard that the Cronese Mandate's state treasure had been stolen, but that's just rumors. Exactly like I heard it was GA personnel who took it back."
"Can't say I've heard about that, but after all I'm just a snub jockey."
"Of course. Even though you were on a confidential mission at the equivalent timeframe. And there rumors about a black A-Wing on the Perlemian."
"Like i said, I can't say I heard about anything Mister Nel." SunTzu politely stated.
The Gungan didn't reply but he smiled at SunTzu and Rei, which were both sporting their best Pokerfaces.
In that moment the starters were served and the trio tended to the food
And the food was more than delicious. And the view was magnificent, it truly was one of the best if not the best places to look over the whole Senatorial District including Senate and Imperial Palace.
Between the main course and dessert Rei excused herself and went to the bathroom.
As soon as she was out the room Zed-Zed Nel turned to SunTzu.
"Listen my friend, I didn't want to make Senator Hino nervous but as you probably expected there is more behind your invitation. I'm still after the people behind the assassination attempt targeted at me and we found traces leading to Coruscant but that's where ever trace vanishes. In all my years in my buisness I never found something like this."
SunTzu was listening close while Kla'dok kept an extra close eye on the door.
"Do me a favor and keep your eyes open while you're here. I don't think the enemy plans anything here on Coruscant, at least at the moment, but I fear that he is already closer to us than we imagine."
That said he tapped SunTzu's shoulder in a fatherly way.
A few seconds later Rei entered the room again and immediately afterwards dessert was served.
SunTzu was glad for the warning and would keep his eyes open, taking extra care that Rei would be protected adequately.
After dessert the Gungan bid a heartily goodbye to the two earthlings.
"I'll stay here a bit longer and make sure that Kla'dok gets the biggest steak they have available. Poor Guy didn't eat the whole evening. I hope to see you two again in person soon, although I'm sure to see a lot of you in the media before long. My driver will take you back again."
He implied another hand kiss to Rei.
"Please stay the honorable and fierce woman you are Rei. And good luck with the negotiations tomorrow."
I didn't even tell SunTzu about this. How does he know about this?
Her surprised look produced a smile on the Information broker's face before he turned to SunTzu and shook his hand.
"Keep your guard up and watch out for your girlfriend and your kingdom SunTzu."
"Thank you, take care Mister Nel. And a continued good buisness." SunTzu said before the called driver led them out of the room and they left the building.
The photographers were still waiting and took another round of pictures with the couple posing close together again, including a fond kiss between the two, before the entered the limousine and went home.
On the way SunTzu asked Rei about what Nel had said.
"Which negotiations did Nel mean?"
"Oh, I was invited to a council meeting in the palace tomorrow. It's mostly of economical nature, I didn't tell you because I didn't want to bore you. Because it's in the palace I can't take you in inside the meeting. But I'll be safe in the palace anyway. And you could spent your time around the palace somewhere. Fanboy over generals again or visit Ada." She smiled.
I can't let him know that the meeting is with the Tion Cluster Members. It probably would trigger him again…
Rei laid down on the spacious passenger seat and bedded her head in his lap, looking up and beginning to caress his face.
"Did you have a pleasant evening?"
SunTzu began to smile.
"Everything is pleasant when I'm with you."
The next morning the couple was lying naked in bed, just after the sun rose, enjoying their closeness a bit before they had to get up.
At breakfast the couple amused themselves over how they were actually making headlines on Coruscant as well.
At least they still could have breakfast in peace.
After being in the senate till noon, Rei and SunTzu went on to the Imperial Palace, Rei gave her boyfriend a kiss and left for the council meeting.
SunTzu was thinking about to do the official tour of the palace or catch a coffee somewhere. Or visit Ada.
After realizing they parted near Ada's office, the pilot went to the garden close by and had a cigarette to help with deciding.
Rei joined the council, that had been meeting since yesterday already as kind of a honorary guest, since it was an earthling that immensely boosted the alliance's position with securing the stolen treasure of the Cronese Mandate's state treasure. The three Tionese Delegations each had a third of saying in the decision to join the GA as whole Tionese Cluster, as the Tion Hegemony already was. The Alliance had been in talks with the other two parts of the Sector, the Cronese Mandate and the Allied Tion, for a long time by now, their resources and economical strength would be a welcome addition to the struggling Alliance. So at least one of the other sector parts needed to join as well.
SunTzu was smoking at the edge of the small, beautiful garden.
"Can I bum one?"
SunTzu turned around and pulled his cigarette box out and offered one to Ada.
I'm not even gonna ask how she knew, that I am here.
Ada took a cigarette and SunTzu lighted it for her.
They smoked in silence and just as both had extinguished her cigarettes the Intelligence Officer broke the silence.
"I knew that Rei would be coming over today, so I guess you weren't far. Pinging your phone showed me you're here."
SunTzu just nodded and Ada gazed at him for a moment.
"Guess your still troubled from your last mission. Follow me, I will show you something."
The black haired woman led him through a few corridors and up a flight of stairs to a door that was guarded by a Galactic Alliance Soldier.
Ada flashed her ID and the soldier that was just about to politely decline their entrance stepped aside, while Ada turned around to SunTzu with a wry smile.
SunTzu sensed two things behind the door. One of them a quite powerful force user. And the other was Rei.
The Spy and the Pilot entered and SunTzu saw that they were on a gallery above a medium sized conference room.
A meeting was going on and Ada motioned him to look down.
He catched sight of the conference table with the Chief of State on top of one side, surrounded by various ministers, including the minister of commerce, the minister of state and the minister of Defence. Vice Admiral Uwlla Lilor, the Commanding Officer of the GA Force's Supplies and Procurement Management was there as well.
Rei sensed her boyfriend, as she was sitting on a chair behind the large conference table.
She looked up and could see him glancing down, Ada standing next to him.
Apparently the Chief of State sensed him as well as her head shot up for the blink of an eye as well. On the other side of the table was another delegation, it seemed that It was made up of three different groups.
SunTzu shot the surprised Rei a wink.
"I don't know if Rei told what this meeting is about." Ada said with a low kept voice.
"But down there you have the three delegations of the Tion Cluster. And today is the day they will decide if the whole Sector will join the Alliance as well."
SunTzu nodded slowly, strange that Rei didn't tell him that she would join this council meeting.
Rei and SunTzu silently watched on as Leia Organa-Solo gave a resume which advantages an accession to the GFFA would have.
The Tion Hegemony of course, as they already were part, gave their consent immediately. And to the surprise of the other two Tionese Cluster members the Mandate gave it's consent almost immediately as well. This meant a two third majority and an accession but after the two other delegations gave consent the central in the sector located Allied Tion gave it's consent too.
After this was done the talks almost immediately switched to the details on how fast the Sector could support the war effort.
Ada leaned in to SunTzu.
"You probably know about the new found resources in the Tion Cluster and how much this will help us in building up forces. As well as manpower."
SunTzu nodded while he looked at Rei, who was attentively watching the negotiations, trying to suck in every bit of negotiation trick she could. Only interrupted by looking up the gallery every few minutes to smile at her boyfriend.
"They say that they found enough resources to build dozens of Star Destroyers. Now think about, every additional ship will shorten the war to our advantage. A single Star Destroyer can hold it's own against a fleet of CIS Ships, stalling attacks on planet surfaces. You killed seven SunTzu, but you saved Millions." Ada told.
Maybe she's right. But what if the enemy obtains better weapons and ships, or bigger fleets, attacks massed? Every destroyed Star Destroyer, even if it was mostly automated, meant the death of what, ten thousand individuals? And we keep just pushing out shiny new ships and, with rookie crews and rookie officers. Together with rookie snub jockeys and rookie troopers. Fresh meat for the grinder, while our veterans become outlaws because they don't get support from the Alliance. We saw on Bestine how much of a difference experience makes.
"Maybe you are right Ada. But just shiny new ships and kids in uniform won't help us win this war. On Kamino I heard someone say an old Clone Officer Saying, Experience outranks everything. Maybe we should also try to get out Veterans back on board, instead letting them become our enemies."
Ada crossed her arms and gave it a thought.
"You're right, but that's not something that is in our hands."
"I know. But maybe someone else can help with that." SunTzu said and glanced back down to Rei.
The council meeting ended and the different ministries and delegations would further confer in their respective areas in smaller groups.
Rei was personally introduced from the Chief of State to the delegation of the Cronese Mandate in a secluded room. The leader of the Mandate, the Head of the House of Cron, personally thanked Rei for earth's involvement in securing their national treasure.
The rookie Senator politely recieved the acknowledgment and promised to personally pass them through to the Earthling that handled the mission.
She and a company were also invited to the reception that would be hold tomorrow night to celebrate the Entry of the Tion Cluster into the Galactic Alliance. The reception would see quite some interest and medial coverage.
Of course she accepted the invitation. And she already knew how she would appear there.
Rei found SunTzu and Ada in the small garden they had visited before, they probably had a cigarette. Ada greeted her friendly and then excused herself.
"Looks like the meeting was a success."
"Yes. And probably the Alliance owes that to you as well."
SunTzu pulled out another cigarette and lighted it.
"I still don't know how I feel about that. Ada told me already how important these resources from the Cluster are. But that doesn't take away my regrets."
"I know. Even the Head of the Mandate himself passes his gratefulness on to you though."
SunTzu nodded absent-minded and Rei looked at him for a moment.
Just as he was about to take another drag from the cigarette she took the cigarette out of his mouth and took a draw herself.
She turned her head sideways and blew out the smoke while SunTzu glanced at her.
"You should know that you did what you have done for a greater cause. For them you are a hero. And for me as well. You've been before already."
She embraced him, taking another drag and he saw that her red lipstick was now on the cigarette filter, he was silent for a moment.
"Thank you Rei. Maybe you are right, and I did it for a greater cause."
"You did, these resources can safe countless worlds if we get to work right now. I don't know what you did but you definitely saved people with it."
SunTzu stayed silently.
"Cheer up a bit TopGun, you did enough for others already, you don't need salvation. May I remember you on your sacrifice on Phu? Would somebody else had done this?"
SunTzu wheezed, maybe she was right. And what was the difference between a Yakuza and a Thief. They were both criminals, no matter their background.
He forced himself to a wry grin and took the cigarette back from her hands and put it back in his mouth.
He blew the smoke out into the air.
"Maybe your right, but I need a favor from you Rei. I'm not in the position to change some things but I do have a proposal about strengthening our troops and taking better care of our veterans both at once."
On the way home he told her about his idea.
What if the Galactic Alliances would encourage their Veterans to come back into service and train, supervise and instruct their new recruits, giving the Veterans a chance to do something with their lives and the valuation they earned, while the Rookies and Recruits would get a way better training.
The idea was great and probably the military could get behind that, but Rei said she needed time to get this going, she had to propose it to someone who had already a voice in the senate.
"But I promise I'll take care of it. It could take some time tho."
He thanked her with taking her hand and squeezing it, his face showing genuine gratefulness while they were sitting in the back of the repulsor car, taking them to her apartment.
The next day work at the Senate resumed. In the early afternoon the Senate would meet up to discuss the usage of the newly acquired resources available from the Tion Cluster.
They were needed most urgently for new ships and weapons and the possibility to join the GA's Forces would probably attract tens of thousands young individuals from the poorer planets in the cluster.
SunTzu was on an observation platform in the Grand Convocation Chamber and followed the seating.
Rei, accompanied by her assistant and her deputy, was on Sol System's assigned platform in the Senate.
As new member it was expected from her to listen and follow, not to actively act on her own or even bring in matters.
But SunTzu's words lagged deep in Rei. Forgetting the people that once fought for the survival of this Alliance and pressing young individuals into frontline service with just a basic training just wasn't right.
Over Bestine she saw what could happen.
She had to do something and she needed to do it now.
Admiral Lilor just finished the proposed planning of the usage of the resources that were already available, splitting them between several companies like CEC, KDY and RSD, Rei got up from her seat and activated her microphone.
"Honorable Head of Senate Marrithraar, I have another proposal to bring in."
The chamber erupted in chatter and some senators even began to openly order the new senate member to be quiet. How could a rookie like her take the word? And actually think about to bring in a proposal?
The mighty Wookiee Senator, that presided over the Senate, let out a large, angry yell in Shyriiwook and the Chamber fell silent immediately.
The Wookiee adressed Rei and a translator, built in the hovering Plattform, translated his words to her.
To Rei's surprise the Wookiee was indeed urging her to bring in her proposal.
Rei took a deep breather, glanced briefly up where SunTzu, who was staring at her in surprised disbelief, was located and began to speak.
In roughly ten minutes and with carefully chosen words she brought in the proposal to bring as much veterans back into service and into training new recruits as possible. She even suggested to put funds that were planned for Recruiting into this plan.
She closed her speech with thanking the honorable Galactic Senate and stepped back from her microphone.
Rei had to restrain herself to excuse for her behavior.
Suddenly a few Senators, starting simultaneous with her friend Senator Hod from Chandrila, the Mon Calamarian, the Mandalorian and the Sullustian Senators began to applaud and soon were joined by more, including a great deal of Senators from the Rim and even Senator Daala. Even Marrithraar began to applaud.
Rei looked through the chamber, way more senators were cheering for her than refusing the proposal or her engagement. With a wide smile she glanced at her delegation and then up to a proudly smiling SunTzu.
Opposite of SunTzu, on a platform at the other side of the Senate, Chief of State Leia Solo-Organa began to applaud as well before she turned onto her consort and closest friend, Winter Celchu.
"Takes a lot of courage to come up with something like that in your first week."
"It's been a while since I saw a young senator that eager and ballsy." Winter replied and then began to smile broadly.
"I guess the last time was when you were new to the Imperial Senate."
"Well Winter, I wouldn't be surprised if Senator Hino would make a big political career like mine as well."
SunTzu waited for Rei at the entrance to the Sol's Senatorial Platform.
She came out with a wry smile and fell into his arms.
"Did I really break unwritten law and brought in a proposal within my first week as Senator?"
"You did Senator. And apparently most of the Senate was quite d'accord with it. At least there was nobody trying to fight you here in the last few minutes."
She giggled and kissed him quickly.
"By the way, I'm proud of you, more than usual, that was very brave. And I'm thankful that you stood up for my idea." SunTzu continued after the kiss.
"You're more than welcome. That was a great idea of you, you saw the feedback."
She took a deep breather.
"Wow. Mind if we have a smoke?
I'm still shaken." Rei said, she sure was keyed up.
The couple went to a rather large balcony nearby that also gave a nice view over the Senatorial District, while Rei's two delegates went back to the office already.
A still nervous Rei immediately lighted a cigarette while her boyfriend followed with a less rushed attitude.
She sure is cute when she's nervous.
"We two are quite the good team, when it comes to making this galaxy a better place for someone." Rei suddenly said. "No matter what you had to do, to accomplish your last mission, you now saved thousands if not millions all in all. I am proud of you!"
She kissed him, the skyline of Coruscant behind them, their cigarettes still in their hands.
"Ahem. Sorry if I disturb the young couple." A crisp and grave female voice suddenly sounded off.
The two lovers jolted up and immediately ended their kiss and turned around.
A few meters away from the door was an elderly but tall and fit appearing woman, in a greyish-white Imperial uniform, sporting the insignia of an Admiral on her chest.
"Senator Daala! Please excuse our behavior." Rei said and bowed down as a sign of excuse.
The woman, her red hair had turned mostly to grey nowadays, with a green eye on the right and a black eyepatch over her left eye, stared at Rei for a minute. She must have been quite a beauty when she had been younger and she still looked younger than she probably was.
And then she began to laugh heartily.
"Please Senator Hino, no woman that causes such a bracing turmoil in the Galactic Senate has to bow down before me."
"Th-thank you Senator." Rei produced a smile, although it appeared a bit forced.
"And thank you for your support and applause earlier on."
"Which was totally earned Senator. This doesn't go for the Remnant but large parts of this galaxy doesn't have any loyalty with their veterans. And although I was an officer most of my life, I'm can say I never was keen on in sacrificing my men."
Daala's glance switched to SunTzu who had been standing at attention and otherwise had been quiet.
"And that is your boyfriend. The Pilot. Captain SunTzu, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Force and Gold Ace."
Although she wasn't acting as Admiral anymore, she saluted and SunTzu reciprocated the salute. That was Admiral Daala, the probably most famous and able Female Fleet Officer in the Galaxy.
"It's an honor Madame Senator."
Daala ended her salute and looked back at Rei, while she grabbed into her jacket and pulled out a slim pipe.
"Definitely not the worst catch. And I also heard that the two of you are quite the capable warriors." She said while she prepared the pipe.
SunTzu pulled out his lighter and stepped forward to the Admiral turned Senator.
"Here let me help you Ma'am."
The pilot lighted Daala's pipe and she took a deep draw, inhaling the smoke. For a moment she let the smoke stay inside and then exhaled it.
SunTzu and Rei took draws of their cigarettes as well.
"My medical droid always tells me to stop, but everyone needs a bad habit." The older Senator told with a smile while the couple finished their cigarettes.
"Do I see the two of you tonight as well?
I'm not too interested in these get togethers but with the right company I might enjoy myself."
"Yes Ma'am, we were invited. We would be happy to meet you there again."
"Fine, then I'll see you tonight."
"Until tonight then, Senator." Rei said and nodded friendly as did SunTzu before they left, apparently still a bit indignant.
Ah yes, young love, Daala thought. She thought about how much she had fallen for Tarkin when she had been young and the woman began to smile warmly.
She would keep an eye on Senator Hino, as she seemed very capable and promised a breath of fresh air in the senate. And she heard excellent things about Earth and it's Expeditionary Forces as well and was eager to learn more.
A few hours later the couple was getting ready, on the way home Rei had told SunTzu something.
"Babe, remember when I asked you to please pack traditional clothes before we come here?"
"I do."
"Did you do that?"
"Of course, as you know I always do what you tell me." SunTzu said in an ironic voice and smiled at Rei with a challenging grin to which she answered with a biting her lip and an equally challenging look.
She found it to be great that he brought a Yukata.
While she got herself ready in the bedroom, in front of the large mirror next to her her dressing table, he got dressed in the shower room.
"Are you ready Babe?" She asked after she just finished fixing the red-pinkish lotus blossom on the side of her hair."
"I'm done."
"So come here and let me appraise you."
SunTzu put on the shoes of his outfit and walked over to the bedroom, where Rei was just finishing herself up and when he saw her he stopped midstep.
She was applying red lipstick matching the red of her red kimono with the white printings, the flower in her hair and a red band holding her long hair in a bun on the back of her hand. The belt had the same color and her decent make-up perfectly highlighted her natural beauty.
"You look beyond gorgeous." SunTzu said standing in the door and she turned around to look at him. What she saw made her freeze.
He wasn't wearing traditional Japanese clothing. He was wearing traditional Bavarian clothing.
"T-TopGun. I-I didn't know that you would bring those. I didn't even know you had some…"
"Lederhosen. They're called Lederhosen. I got them recently because, you know, as a real Bavarian you'll need to have a pair of those. At least I think so." He turned around in a circle. "You don't like them?" He asked, his voice giving away a certain disappointment.
At first Rei was not sure but now as she had a closer look how much the shorts and the socks over his calves highlighted his muscular legs. And the jacket he was wearing on top was really looking elegant, especially with the vest underneath. Who knew traditional German clothing could look this well.
"No… I… I do like it if I look at it closer. It's something different but strangely elegant."
"Well, we get married in clothes like that so it should be."
"Really? I didn't know that. I always thought they're just a running gag. But you look great."
"I'm in no way comparable to your beauty, but thanks."
"Let's go?"
"I already called the driver."
Rei got up with a smile while he turned around.
Yes, I do like the backside as well my dear TopGun.
Twenty minutes later they arrived at the embassy of the Tion Cluster with a limousine of the Senate's motor pool.
The party was already on and dozens of photographers and holo cameras were taking pictures and videos, partly even live. Reporters were scribbling notes and some journalists were even interviewing people on the red carpet leading inside the embassy. Dozens of Senators, Politicans, high ranking officials, business magnates, stars and other very important individuals were there.
The repulsor limousine landed in front of the few steps leading to the main entrance of the embassy.
A servant opened the door and SunTzu got out first, before he helped Rei to disembark.
They stepped up the three stairs in front of them and were on the red carpet.
And the media went completely nuts.
The traditional outfits of the two lovers, the couple already a hot contender of being Coruscant's hottest and most hip couple right now, were a guarantor for clicks, likes, audience rate, views and whatever else the particular media could bring.
Dozens of cameras clicked at the same time and the couple began to smile warmly. They were expecting media and it wasn't the first time that they got covered by it, but they didn't expect such an army of them.
"My god, everyone on Coruscant owning a camera must be here." SunTzu hushed.
"Yeah. Even better, I want the whole galaxy to see us together. I want them to know how much we are in love."
The press asked them to come closer and linked in on her boyfriend's arm Rei and SunTzu stepped up.
They posed a bit for the cameras before reporters began to ask them questions.
"What are you wearing there?"
"Is it true, that you brought in your first proposal in the senate today?"
"What do you think about the Tion Cluster?"
"What do you like about Coruscant?"
They patiently answered all the questions before they posed for the last set of pictures, a set of earnest closeness, ending with SunTzu giving Rei a tender hand kiss while their both eyes shined with love for the other and then disappeared inside the embassy.
"Wow, I thought we never get in here." Rei stated as each took a glass of champagne from the tray of a waiter.
The couple toasted to each other, they were smiling and felt great.
"To the best looking woman on Coruscant."
"And the best looking… Bavarian." Rei joked with a smile, showing extra teeth.
"Finally this event got enjoyable." Senator Daala said from behind them. They turned around and found her in a dress uniform.
They greeted each other and the older Senator congratulated them to their entry.
"Things like that will help you make a name Senator Hino."
They talked for a few minutes before an Adjutant appeared next to Daala and told her, the holo call she requested was available now.
"Excuse me please. An old subordinate of mine is deployed on a combat mission in the Outer Rim and I try to regularly get updated by him. See you two later on."
She left with her adjutant.
"She's a good Officer, still caring about her subordinates."
"Like a certain Pilot I know. How many times did you call Hotaru up today already? Does she even attend anymore?" Rei asked with a giggle.
"Today? Just two times. And yes. My subordinate is always happy to hear me."
Him being completely serious made her giggle even more.
They mingled under the crowd and shook some hands and held some small talk here and there, a lot of people wanting to get introduced to them.
SunTzu was just on his way to get them another drink and Rei was standing in the middle of the large room as suddenly someone stopped in front of her and turned towards her.
He was moving his finger up and down as he was remembering something and looked at her.
And she remembered him as well. This was the man she met at the elevator up at the Chief of State's Office.
"I remember you. I met you at my wife's office."
"At your wife's office?" Rei asked surprised.
"Ah Han, I see you already found Senator Hino." Leia said coming from the side.
"Han… Wait. Han Solo? You are Han Solo?" Rei gibbered out.
"The one and only." He bowed down and gave her a hand kiss.
"Hino, right?"
Rei blushed and looked over to Leia, the Chief of State just rolled her eyes and nodded approvingly.
"Yes, Rei Hino, Senator of the Sol System." She replied, surprised that he knew her last name.
In that moment SunTzu came back with two more champagne glasses.
"Ah, the boyfriend."
SunTzu stiffly straightened up, when he saw who Rei was talking too.
"Madame Chief of State."
"Starfighter Corps Captain SunTzu. I don't know if you know my husband, Han Solo."
If I know Han Solo? Every last gas tank jockey and poor excuse of pilot knows Han Solo.
Holy Shit, I'm meeting Han Solo. Stay cool SunTzu, stay cool.
"Sir. It's an honor." SunTzu wielded the glasses around as he tried to shake Han's hand.
Leia smiled and took the glasses, passing one to Rei.
"Thank you for the drink Captain. Han, why you and the Captain don't get something to drink for you guys."
Han nodded and put his hand on SunTzu's shoulder pulling him along, while Leia clinged her glass with Rei.
"So, a snub jockey, huh? Whatcha flying kiddo?"
"A modified A-Wing."
"Ah, someone that also likes to fly fast things. How much does she do? My Falcon does 1500 km/h in sublight."
SunTzu swallowed hard.
"At least Mach 3.5 now, so around 4300 km/h."
"Say again, I thought you said over 4000 km/h."
"Yes, 4300 km/h. Atmospheric speed is more important from where I come from." SunTzu said with a shy voice.
"Leia told me about this system but you guys are really something else. What about hyperspace? 1.0?"
"0,5."
"What? Okay, you have to show me that snub one day. And we need to have a small hyperspace race as well, with a little bit of a bet between us of course."
Leia and Rei observed the two pilots on their way to the bar.
"Han just came back from a trip to the Maw, helping the Jedi out. I had to threaten him that he will be sleeping on the couch to make him tag along. But she seems to be happy to have found another pilot in here."
"That is one thing I actually learned already as well. Pilots love to stick together and not necessarily for the better. SunTzu has this one friend in the New Frontier…" Rei shook her head in a amusement. "Pilots." Both women said at the same time and laughed.
The two men arrived at the bar.
"Whatcha having Captain? Something fancy?"
"To be honest, I wouldn't mind a cold Corellian Ale."
Han nodded approvingly.
"Good choice. I just came back from a trip to the Maw. I really need a cold one now. Hey Barkeeper, two Corellian Ales. And more Ale than foam please."
"You're making yourself a name on Coruscant pretty fast Rei. And I'm sure you and your boyfriend will be tomorrow's headline when it comes to the yellow press. Which is pretty important on Coruscant."
"I guess SunTzu and me are just photogenic."
"Oh sweetheart, you two are gorgeous together. And a young Senator dating a War Hero sure is the kind of role models we need."
"Yeah, I basically hear the same on Earth."
Leia nodded, War was more than fighting, Propaganda counted as well. Especially in an unconventional war like the one that was going on.
"Rei, I have to admit you not only surprised but also impressed me yesterday, bringing that proposal in. Which is a great one by the way."
"Th-thank you Madame Organa-Solo. I feel honored to hear this from you."
"No false modesty, Rei."
The Barkeeper handed the two glasses of Corellian Beer to SunTzu and Han and both took their glasses and toasted.
"Ahhh, that's better." Han said after taking a big sip.
"Interesting outfit you got there."
"It's the traditional outfit of my people. Rei told me to dress in traditional earth clothes for tonight. Apparently it worked and our faces ended up in Live Holo-Broadcasts." SunTzu laughed and Han had to laugh as well.
"Tell you something, these yellow press guys can be a real pain. Show them their borders early enough. Leia almost choked me afterwards but I once treated an intrusive photographer to a working over. And whaddya know, never had problems after."
"Thanks, although I'm pretty sure Rei, would choke me afterwards. Or worse."
Han had to laugh and the men both took another sip.
"That's not a bad one." SunTzu stated.
"Yeah. You like Beer?"
"Like? Beer is basically part of my culture." SunTzu replied and Han laughed some more and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Come on SunTzu, let's get back to the girls. Before we order another one."
"Hey Leia, SunTzu's snub is faster than the Falcon in the atmosphere. He had to promise me to show me that thing."
Leia looked at Rei.
"Pilots. Both women said again.
Leia soon had to walk over to the delegations of the Tion Cluster but SunTzu and Rei soon found Senator Colo Hod and mingled with her and her acquaintances.
The couple enjoyed their evening and SunTzu had a couple of interesting talks with members of the military and Senators involved with the Forces and the Defense Councils, while Rei made a lot of new contacts.
And Coruscant's high society loved the couple.
SunTzu was talking with a Mon Calamari, who was a representative of the Mon Cal Shipwrights and Rei was just pausing to take a moment to admire him, he really put his best social behavior on display tonight.
Don't get too used to it, I adore your country bumpkin side too much to never see it again.
But she was beyond grateful and happy that he showed his appreciation and support through this as well. And Gods, the more she got used to his outfit the more she found him hotter in it.
It was shortly after midnight and from the corner of his eyes SunTzu saw that Rei was suppressing a yawn. It was time to go home.
It's a sin to get you out of this clothes as dazzling as you are with them. But it would also be one to not ravage you after you looked like that.
On the way out they met Daala again, engaged with a group of Delegations from Shipbuilders and the Imperial bid them a good evening and hoped to see them again soon.
"You're always invited to visit the Remnant as well."
Outside the media was still waiting and of course demanded more pictures from them.
SunTzu and Rei locked eyes in front of the camera, pulled their arms around each other and the lovers gave the cameras a kiss worthy of a movie scene.
After a few moments the couple left and walked down the red carpet and the stairs to the brim again.
Just before they entered their vehicle, Rei sensed something strange for the fracture of a second. It felt like very much like SunTzu but also different, dark and twisted. She felt out with her senses again and also glanced around for a moment but couldn't feel or see something off again. It had been a long day, exciting day, so probably her mind was just playing tricks on her so she decided to let it slip.
"Something wrong?" SunTzu said behind her and she turned around.
"No. Everything okay." She said and entered the repulsor car.
From a balcony of a nearby hotel suit, overlooking the embassy's entrance and it's red carpet a man smiled down at the repulsor car that lifted off that moment and roared away. It sure was bold to be so near to SunTzu. And the Chief of State was a Jedi and could have sensed him as well.
The man slued a brandy glass full of the best Coruscanti Brandy in his hand before he took a sip of the exquisite amber colored liquor.
He had to admit, that SunTzu had a exquisite taste in women, this Senator Hino sure was a sight to behold and an extraordinary female.
Maybe he could use their relation for his benefit.
His smile broadened and he took another sip.
"Come here gorgeous." He demanded to the beautiful woman near the door of the balcony and motioned her to sit on the table that was standing on the balcony.
The women sat down and he stepped in front of her, opened her legs with his knee and pulled her against him, his hips in between her legs now.
He dipped his finger on the surface of the brandy and then let the finger glide over her neck.
And then he began to let his tongue glide over where his finger just left a small trail of brandy.
It made her shiver and he smiled as his tongue worked it's way down her neck.
He repeated the procedure on the other side of her neck and this time it elicited a moan from the woman.
He dipped his finger a third time in the brandy and then let his finger glide over her lips.
The woman greedily begin to suck on his fingers, giving him a taste of the skills of her tongue and this earned her a satisfied grin from the man.
He pulled his finger back and replaced it with his lips, the woman sucking on them.
The man suddenly grabbed her face in his hand and made her look him in the eye.
"Princess, I think you have to kill your parents for me."
The woman's lips curled up into a smile and she was rewarded with another kiss, this time he was taking the lead.