After making some coffee and bringing it to the two women, as well as grabbing a cup of it for himself, SunTzu joined Minako and Rei, now completely clothed.
Together the two lovers and their friend marveled at the pictures that were published in the new Edition of the Coruscant branch of Vogue. Even SunTzu was head over heels over the beautiful photos.
"I didn't know, I could actually look this good." And then he took his girlfriend's hand and kissed it. "And you look like a true goddess, Rei."
She smiled proudly and then leaned in for a kiss.
"Guys? I'm still here." Minako chimed in as the couple kissed fondly.
A few minutes later a completely stoked Koan called, Rei and SunTzu had only made it on the cover of Coruscant's Vogue but rather worldwide on Earth as well. The girls broke out in hysterical laughter.
To celebrate SunTzu took the two women out for a fancy breakfast above the roofs of Coruscant.
Apparently the couple was so famous by now that some people started whispering when they passed. At least there weren't any Paparazzi out for them.
Minute by minute more friends and other close people contacted the couple and congratulated them to the magnificent pictures.
Within minutes the Issue had been sold out in Crystal Tokyo, and Tokyo as well, and there were rumors that delegates from the Palace of Crystal Tokyo had to drive as far as to the Five Lakes to buy a few dozen copies of the magazine as ordered by their proud queen. Not that said Queen and her husband had once prominently been featured in the magazine as well, shortly after their marriage. Back then the run onto the issue had been even more crazy.
"A Pop Idol that soon will be a doctor, a Galactic Senator and the hottest pilot in the Alliance. I think we made it, Mina-Chan." Rei said in played smugness as she clinged her champagne glass with her best friend at their breakfast table.
"Come here guys, I want to flex on my IG with the new cover couple of Vogue." Minako told and pulled out her phone for a selfie of the three of them she immediately posted.
Breakfast with these two Vogue-certificied baddies, she wrote as caption together with what felt like a million of various emojis as usual for the Reincarnation of the Goddess of Love.
"So, what's the plan for today? More champagne and just vibin' on the fact that you're the Baddest?" Minako asked afterwards and Rei snorted.
"I wish. But I have some things to take care off before we head home tonight again."
"Too bad. What about you, Posterboy? Care to get day-drunk with me to help me channel my inner artist for songwriting?"
"Sorry, as much as I'd love to get completely shitfaced with you during normal business hours, I have some stuff to organize of as well. After all I have a subordinate I have to take care of now." SunTzu answered.
"Damn, you used to be so cool." Minako replied mockingly.
"And I wanted to get some training in as well. Wanna join in?" SunTzu asked her.
"Hey Minako, that's actually not a bad idea. Why you don't join TopGun later for training, would make a good example as First of the Senshi as well. I promise I won't be jealous if you spank my boyfriend." Rei chipped in and Minako gave it a moment of thought.
"Fine, I'll be there later on. Be ready for a beating my dear SunTzu."
"Sure thing, Mina-Chan." SunTzu replied with a challenging tone in his voice.
While Rei went to the Senate, SunTzu went to the base where the Far Side was residing and both began their work.
After all the paperwork and organizing that came with his work he checked on Hotaru, Michiru and Haruka, who had just came back from a training flight.
"I saw the pictures in the Vogue this morning, très chic mon ami. Even Haruka loved them." Michiru said after they met in the hangar.
"I wouldn't say I loved them but they are quite nice." Haruka said in response to her girlfriend.
"That sounded different this morning. Don't listen SunTzu, she was marveling over you two as well." Michiru said with a smile.
The three women excused themselves and SunTzu said hi to his starfighter and Karlena and her boys before he left again to get ready for his training.
On the way to his quarters he already bumped into Minako, who came back from the Med Bay.
"Ready to get your arse kicked?" The Blonde asked the Pilot with a sly grin as she fell in besides him.
"Always." SunTzu replied with an equal grin. "But don't expect me to go easy on you." He continued.
"I do expect anything from you but going easy on me." Minako replied in quite the suggestive voice and a mischievous smile. They had arrived at the Guardian's quarters.
"You're never gonna stop to tease, right?"
"Nope. And now get changed so we can finally pounce onto each other." She garnished the last sentence with a wink which made him shake his head with a smile.
A few minutes later the First of the Senshi and the Guardian of Guardians arrived at the training rooms and got ready for the sparing fight with some warming up exercises.
Shortly after they took position on the mat and bowed down at each other as sign of respect before they began to encircle each other.
"If you just wanna spin around in circles I can put on some music so it's more like a waltzer." SunTzu said and earned a predatory grin from Sailor Venus.
"Okay. I wanted to make this quick but now I'll take my time."
She pounced forward trying to strike him with a fist and as he got ready to block it she changed her stance and tried to hit him with her leg. He could block the attack but before he could react she already was gone again and attacked from a different direction.
"Venus Kick!" She said as she tried to hit him with her jumped leg strike and he could barely block it and was pushed back.
"Woah, not bad." He stated as he finally made it back into a safe stance again.
"Thank you, I'm actually surprised you could block this one. Let's see if you can block this too!" She pounced onto him again, with a series of kicks and blows but he could dodge them.
Finally he got her foot into his grip and held her up but Venus wasn't having it and countered with a spinning kick, that hit his shoulder because he could quickly turn his head away. But it freed her again.
"You've been training lately as well, i see." SunTzu said as he now decided to go into the offensive and began to trade blows and kicks with Sailor Venus.
"I'm happy someone notices." She answered between blocking and attacking.
Both were going back and forth with their attacks and defense.
"Not gonna lie, this lowkey makes me kinda hot." Venus stated and the statement almost did it's purpose and made SunTzu slip his defense. Only the fact that he knew her and her teasing, let him keep his guard up and so he attacked again.
"Too bad that this time your teasing didn't work, Mina." He blew her a kiss and she answered with a playful wink.
"Usually it does." Minako replied and countered his attack with left hook that got dodged.
This went on for some more time before both increased the distance between them again to catch a breath.
"You got way better. I would have bested you two times already a few weeks ago."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"You're welcome. What do say, last attack and if we're still both standing we call it a draw?"
"Sounds fair to me, but make it count then."
"Don't worry I will!" The Senshi said as both shot forward again and began to fight again.
Both fighters were breathing heavy and sweating now when they were locked in a stalemate.
"Guess that's it then." SunTzu stated. "Good fight."
"It's not over yet! Venus attack him again!" Someone shouted from behind and SunTzu could barely dodge an attack a blink of an eye later as a long weapon swung at him.
"Sailor Pluto, I didn't expect you to join us." SunTzu stated as he jumped away from both Senshi to get some distance in between.
"Minako told me you'd train together, so I thought I'd join in as well." The older Senshi said and dove after SunTzu, attacking him with the Garnet Rod.
"The more the merrier as the say." SunTzu said as he dodged the attack and contemplated his chances against a Demigoddess that apparently could control Time and the Reincarnation of the Goddess of Love.
Concluding that his chances were pretty low he decided to at least keep the ladies entertained and instead going after Pluto he opted to attack Venus, wo was still catching her breath.
He got her on the wrong foot but she still was able to block it somehow.
"Woah, that was dirty."
"Says the woman that invites Setsuna to a small laid back spare fight." He tried his luck with a roundhouse kick at the blonde Senshi.
"No offense, Doc." He said after he landed again because Minako had low dodged the attack and then used a backwards flik-flak he could block to counter attack and gain some room.
"None taken." The tall emerald haired replied as she brought the Garnet Rod down him and he only could dodge with a roll to the side. She understood it was actually to hone her combat skills.
Both women were closing in now and the Force-Sensitive decided to go out in a blaze of glory as he shot forwards and attacked both.
Trading blows and kicks with both of them he actually hold out longer than he expected. It was until the Garnet Rod hit his knee cap, at least softer than it could have been, while he was trying to land a kick into Venus's side and he dropped down, a millisecond later the Garnet Orb appeared next to right side of his face and the tip of an orange high heel on the left.
"Not bad SunTzu, I have to honor your will." Setsuna and pulled her weapon back and extended her hand to him. "Is your knee injured?"
"It's okay, just gimme a sec." SunTzu said after sharply drawing in air, through clenched teeth.
"You fought outstanding as well, Sailor Venus."
"Thanks Sailor Pluto, I appreciate it." The blonde Senshi replied. "And now if you would excuse me, I need to take a shower asap. You'll be okay, SunTzu?"
"Yeah, yeah." He waved at her and then Sailor Venus left.
"Hm, why is she in such a hurry?" Setsuna asked SunTzu.
"Oh, I think she has a date." SunTzu answered the Senshi. He spared himself to say, that it was with a shower head.
Setsuna nodded and then looked back at him.
"How about some staff training? I promise I won't hit your kneecap again." She asked SunTzu, he was getting up again and seemed to be better again.
"Sure. Just give me a minute to get some hydration in."
Pluto and SunTzu trained with and against each other, with SunTzu using one of the Bo-Staffs to engage against the Garnet Rod for roughly another hour and afterwards SunTzu parted to take a shower and picked up Rei at the Senate Building. It was almost time for the Far Side to fly back home.
He landed at his usual landing spot and was leaning against AICA when a grinning Rei walked up.
"I see Minako spared at least your face, how generous from her." The raven haired beauty said as she came closer.
"Actually we were about to call it a draw before Setsuna appeared after Minako had invited her before."
"Uhhh. I was okay with the blonde, but another dark haired joining in does make me jealous." She stated sarcastically as she leaned in for a kiss.
"Anything more than your ego hurt?" Rei asked after the kiss, while she had her arms around him.
"The fact that I'm in the Vogue with the hottest chick in the Galaxy next to me saved me from falling into despair. And yes, I'm good." He answered with an equally sarcastic voice and that sparked another grin from her.
"Not bad TopGun, just when I was about to pout because you amuse yourself with two girls at once while I control Earth's destiny in the Galactic Senate, you come up with this."
"After almost half a year you should know, I do have my light moments." Both smiled mischievously at each other before she cupped his face again and pulled him in for another kiss.
"Let's go home." SunTzu said after the kiss and Rei nodded with a smile, before he helped her climb into AICA.
"You cannot imagine how many people called me or the office today because of these pictures. Now I finally understand Minako when she says popularity can be exhausting." Rei said with a big sigh and then stretched her arms in the spacious cockpit.
"Hi AICA." She greeted the Artificial Intelligence of the A-Wing.
"Hi Rei, not to annoy you more but those pictures were fire. At least that's what Hotaru and Chibiusa said about them."
"Thank you AICA! And thanks for picking me up you two. There's a ton of paparazzi waiting for me at the Senate's entrance."
AICA lifted off and SunTzu piloted her back to the Far Side.
The Gladiator Star Destroyer was already in sight when Flight Command came in.
"Captain, the Admiral called in for a meeting of the Leadership. You and the Senator are ordered to join in as soon as you land."
SunTzu turned around to Rei for a second.
"I bet we're not going home." Rei remarked, sounding rather disappointed.
When Rei and SunTzu arrived at the Control Center most of the others were already there. They sat down between Minako and Michiru. The Royal Couple and Artemis were standing in the middle of the room again, looking tense.
"What's the big deal?" SunTzu asked Michiru.
"I don't have any idea. Nobody seems to have. And the higher ups are unusually quiet."
Rei and SunTzu looked at each other, not a good sign.
As soon as everybody had arrived, Artemis began the briefing.
"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, I know that you all are eager to know why we scheduled this briefing. First of all, we're not going home." People looked at each other and faces went blank.
"As all of you know, there is a whole domain of rogue Yuuzhan Vong closing in on the Western Portion of Wild Space. Well, things have changed very quickly, as the enemy broke through the Eighth's Line of Defence a few hours ago and is now pouring into the chartered systems. The Chiss and the Empire of the Hand are regrouping for a counter attack and General Bel Iblis himself is putting up a Taskforce with all he can get on Corellia right now.
But before our Allies can attack the enemy there are some worlds that need to be protected or even evacuated. Taskforce Sol will head out within the hour towards the Planet Rago to help with the evacuation efforts. The two Star Galleons that Major Urawa and the Royal Intelligence… acquired yesterday will follow us, as soon as possible. This means that some members of the Crew of the Far Side will stay back to crew the Galleons. Since this is not a combat mission for us, we don't need the full crew. The ground combat vehicles and a company of the troopers will stay here as well, one of the Galleons will take them to Earth before joining us."
Artemis went silent for a moment and let his gaze wander through the room.
"I'm going to be honest with you. There probably will not be enough ships to evacuate the whole planet as we get there. And we can only pray that the CEDF and Empire of the Hand in their advanced positions will keep the Vong at Bay until there are enough, so we have to cramp as much people as we can onboard. This goes for th corvettes as well. As soon as these are full, they will leave for a safe defense line the Seventh and Fourth Fleets will form, unload and then fly back. Unfortunately the Far Side can't do the same, since we also will be the only medical and humanitarian aid available for the evacuees. We will also serve as the Control and Command for the Evacuation, so we can't land on the planet to pick up evacuees, which in turn means, that the shuttles and gunships will be flying nonstop."
His gaze wandered through the room again, looking into a lot of severe faces.
"The Neo Queen will now address you further." Artemis finally said and stepped back as Usagi stepped forward.
"My friends, our next task, will be one of the most important we ever had. This time it's not about fighting, as there is no chance that we could win this battle with what we have at our disposal right now, but about saving as many souls as we can. Be aware, the task will be no light one and there might be moments when you have to make very bitter decisions. I trust in you to do the right. Once more we will head out to help others, doing the right thing and this warms my heart. Once more Taskforce Sol will be a shining light in this ever darkening galaxy, and now let us go to Rago as fast as we can. May the moonlight continue to light our path."
With that the briefing ended and everybody rushed out to break the news to his subordinates or get things going.
SunTzu and Rei decided to get back to her quarters. Rei wanted to take a break before she would schedule a meeting with the Diplomatic Service to organize their work in the upcoming evacuation.
While SunTzu dropped onto the bed and stretched out, Rei sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed loudly.
SunTzu rolled over and took her right hand into his.
"Listen Rei, I'm sorry, we're not going home."
She nodded thankfully.
"Yeah. It is, what it is." She looked to the ground before she turned to him. "I fear the things that will await us at Rago."
She felt her hand getting squeezed gently.
"Don't worry, the Chiss will keep the Vong at bay and we will be long gone when they arrive. If they can get past the Chiss."
She really hoped he would be right about that.
The trip to Rago would take around three days and just three hours after the meeting the Taskforce jumped into Hyperspace towards Ansion. The trip to Ansion would take around two days and the ship and it's crew got ready to receive as many escapees as possible.
Rei came back late from the meeting as SunTzu was waiting for her in her quarters.
Knowing that she didn't had dinner yet, he asked her if she would be up for a late night snack. At first she was hesitating.
"Come on Moeru Shōjo, when was the last time we had a date on board here? Only because we're in here doesn't mean I don't want to take you out."
Despite her rather unpleasant mood she had to smile. And she was thankful for him trying to cheer her up.
"Fine. But we go to the one near the bridge, so we're back soon."
In the end Rei had to admit that although she had been full of negative emotions she did enjoy the date. The dining room was almost empty and they could share some togetherness.
The dining hall served Pasta and although it wasn't as good as when SunTzu made it, Rei did enjoy the food.
Back at her room Rei thanked SunTzu for the makeshift date.
"Thanks for making me come along. I did enjoy myself."
She kissed him affectionately.
"And once again you managed to brighten my mood up."
"Glad to hear that. I'm happy when you are."
And that last sentence made her kiss him again.
The next day everybody onboard the four ships was busy getting ready for the mission. It was afternoon when SunTzu and Rei finally found time for each other.
The couple was in a from the Senator of Sol well needed cuddle session when it knocked on the door. It were the Outers, reminding them to proper train while they had time for it. Rei was reluctant at first but SunTzu finally could persuade her to join him.
Somehow giving her the permission to kick my ass always works…
Sailor Mars and SunTzu got ready to fight and after bowing down, Rei immediately attacked. A series of high and spun kicks that SunTzu could dodge and block but she was pushing him back.
That was until he tried to throw her over his shoulder and she had to back off after taking a roll back. Apparently loosing the initiative angered her. She got up and glared at him.
"Let's skip the foreplay?" She asked.
"If you want to make things more rough, that's fine by me."
Instantly she attacked again, this time there was smoke building around her hands and she tried to hit him.
He dodged her punches although her attacks came swift and without following a pattern.
He tried to counter her with going on the offensive but she held against it. That was until they parted to catch a breath.
While SunTzu still tried to steady his breath Sailor Mars attacked again. But this time it proved to be the wrong move.
While she hurled herself at him, something told him to drop down and he surprised her with the move and swung her over him as she catched her in her jump towards him, making her land flat on the mat behind him.
She was furious and smoke rose up from her but SunTzu was already on top of her.
"Looks like I won." SunTzu stated, not believing that he actually really had won for once.
"Fuck!" Rei yelled out and punched her fists on the floor, leaving a scorchmark on the mat.
SunTzu got up and immediately offered her a hand.
She took it, although her face clearly showed that she was qangry about loosing the fight. And her hands were still quite hot.
After she was standing he waved his hands around to cool them.
Rei observed it with a smug grin, not really being a sore loser but it wasn't wrong to let SunTzu know that they had fought without her really using her power.
"I'll go take a shower." She said and began to walk away, leaving him quite dumbfounded standing where he was.
A few steps later, she turned around and went back to plant a small kiss on his cheeks.
"Good fighting." She said, her voice sound neutral before she left the room for good.
SunTzu smiled, happy that he finally was able to beat her, before he continued training with the Outers.
Rei on the other side, was unhappy with herself, why wasn't she able to put up more of a fight. And why didn't she care about training that much anymore.
Well, maybe I'm just having a bad day…
But something in the back of her mind, felt like that wasn't the reason.
SunTzu came to the quarters half an hour later, he hadn't been able to beat the combined powers of Saturn and Neptune.
Rei had sent him a message that she was having a tea with Minako at the lounge area near the quarters and after a shower he joined them before they went for dinner.
Rei's mood was better but the fight or rather her performance still were gnawing at her, although she didn't talk about it.
SunTzu on the other side, was immensely happy that he had finally bested her. Their running gag that he had to beat her in combat before marrying had become kind of a challenge for him. And he was happy that he finally beat that challenge, it gave him confidence that it really was time to ask her for her hand in marriage.
But to not gave away any surprises he kept it to himself.
Rei sensed that he was happy and stayed extra close to her tonight and she thought it was to consort her and appreciated it nevertheless.
The rest of the travel went on without any events and everybody was busy getting prepared and ready for the mission.
When the Taskforce fell out of hyperspace into the Rago System, traffic was already insane, at least outgoing that was. It seemed that every civil owned ship in the system was on it's way out already and the members of the Taskforce hoped that they were packed to the roof with people.
AICA and the Voyager were sent out for a recon mission in the system that was already guarded by three Chiss Expeditionary Defence Force ships, two Obbic-Class Cruisers and a Thrago-Carrier, with Chiss starfighters patrolling around the capital ships.
While the two Advanced Starfighters with Michiru, Hotaru, Haruka and SunTzu on board checked the system, their crews were talking about their mission.
"That's bloody much traffic getting off the planet. I hope they get fucktons of people out."
"Rago has three million inhabitants, I don't think these ships make much of a difference." Hotaru replied in an arid tone.
They passed the Chiss ships and two Nssis-class fighters formed on their flanks, waving them hello with a small turn to their sides, which the human pilots reciprocated.
"Man, those Chiss snubs sure are beautiful ships." SunTzu stated taking a look at their welcoming party.
"They're so elegantly formed." Michiru affirmed and took a look as well.
"And they're agil as bloody hell. Anybody know how the Eight is doing right now?" Haruka asked.
"According to latest information a flotilla is trying to form a defensive line in the neighboring sector." AICA answered, the pilots all knew from their briefing that the Vong Fleet wasn't traveling in hyperspace much, they rather went System for System to search for every sentient species they could. Partly to enslave them, partly to sacrifice them to their gods.
"Let's hope it holds long enough, at least until we're done here." Michiru stated, her voice giving away a certain insecurity.
After the four pilots had ended their reconnaissance flight they returned to the Far Side.
The three Corvettes were already on the planet, as was the Royal Shuttle. The Royals and Sol's Senator were on the planet as well, meeting with the planet's government.
Meanwhile Artemis was on board of one of the Chiss cruisers to coordinate their actions.
The inside of the hangar was filled with the busy ground crews and crews of the gunships and shuttles as they got ready to fly to the planet to pick up evacuees. An old RASP Mon Cal Cruiser should arrive soon and would be used to take over the evacuees. The first of the now to the Taskforce belonging Star Galleons was on it's way as well. The other one was on it's way to Earth to unload the troops that had been left behind on Coruscant.
On Rago, Rei, Mamoru and Usagi just had finished their meeting with the planet's government. Parts of it, including it's President, would stay until the very last moment, others would leave soon to establish a government in exile on Ansion.
Rei and her team would help to take care to find a place for the escapees.
The Starstruck and Companion both were loaded with the delegation that would establish the exile-government and the Nomad's Luck would pack a few hundred women, children and elderly people and follow the other two corvettes.
The four pilots had a coffee in the closest cafeteria and waited for further orders. The girls were discussing what their next mission probably would be. SunTzu was just listening in with half an ear while he looked at the Taskforce's symbol, the Crescent around the globe.
Hopefully the moonlight shines for us this time as well…
Something just didn't feel right this time.
Not even a hour later the Mon Cal Cruiser, an old MC80, arrived in the system as well. The blueish Cruiser had it's own detachment of Shuttles with it and as soon as it was in position the evacuation began. Flight after flight flew back and forth to the ship.
A contingent of Troopers from the Taskforce was trying to ensure order at a makeshift landing zone at the planet's second largest city.
Every few minutes smaller ships came in to pick up people on the planet.
A few hours later an old Acclamator-I of the Empire of the Hand arrived on the planet.
Apart from it's crew and a security and medical detachment the ship had been completely emptied.
And It was able to land on the planet to directly load people, the ship's captain estimated that they'd probably could take over 20.000 people with them.
The three Outer Senshi and the First Knight of Crystal Tokyo were flying escort for the ship, the arrival of such an large ship had brightened up everyone's mood.
"If we could get more of those, or even some bigger ships we might have a chance to get everyone of the planet before our uninvited guests arrive." SunTzu came in over comm.
"Imagine someone would park a SSD or Viscount over here. We probably could get a third of the planet onto it." Haruka replied. She was right, but with how things were going in the Shadow War lately, all the big ships were needed elsewhere in combat.
At least three Bulwark Mark III Battlecruisers were on the way to Rago to help in the evacuation, the two and a half kilometer long ships had been specifically retrofitted for evacuation missions in the Vong War and had been pulled out of being mothballed lately. Each one of them could fit 80.000 Evacuees.
The Acclamator, christened the Sundiver, was on it's way to a safe planet within one hour, packed to the brim with 22.000 evacuees.
AICA, now flown by Hotaru and SunTzu in the backseat, and the Voyager were escorting the Cruiser to it's jump point, when suddenly a lone Chaf-Class Star Destroyer, a successor to the Victory-II Class and a mixture of Imperial and Chiss technology, entered the system, showing clear signs of battle damage.
Immediately the two advanced Star Fighters were sent over while the Galactic Alliance Forces started communication with the ship.
A few minutes later, the two snubs had taken flanking positions and tried to analyze the ship's damage, Mission Control came in, in form of Captain Santos.
"This ship is the Victory of Quethold, one of the ships the Empire of the Hand had positioned forward in the defensive lines." A pause followed. "It's the last surviving ship of the defensive line, all others have been wiped out. And the Vong are still advancing."
The Victory of Quethold had lost most of it's starfighter and bomber detachment, and also had sustained significant damage to it's engines, the emergency jump had finally broken the hyperspace engines as well, but the ship was still capable to fight and so it's Captain decided to enforce the defensive line around Rago.
And the Captain urged all ships in System to get ready for the Vong assault and to fasten up the evacuation.
Drones and probe droids were sent out immediately and the leading officers of the ships as well as King Endymion scheduled an immediate meeting.
Meanwhile Neo Queen Serenity, her Galactic Senator and her Chief of Intelligence tried their best to get more ships for the evacuation.
SunTzu visited them in Rei's office once, all three were busy on the holo. While Rei and Serenity tried official channels, Ami tried her luck in unconventional ways and had contacted the Smuggler's Guild. Since they were so busy, SunTzu left very soon, after all they were ordered to boost up patrols on the borders of the system as well.
SunTzu's bad feeling got worse, and he was getting a headache, while he tried to not think about what would happen if they couldn't evacuate the planet in time.
The pilots were told that the Eight Fleet would still try to slow them down but the number of their patrols was upped.
Twelve hours of continued evacuation efforts later Mamoru and Artemis were alone in one of the smaller meeting rooms on board the Far Side, both were looking extremely tense.
The two leaders of the Taskforce had just been informed that the hit-and-run-attacks from the Eight Fleet hadn't succeeded in slowing the Domain Shai down. If they would keep up their pace they would arrive in less than one day.
"What did the girls manage to assemble in further ships?" The King asked his Admiral and Friend.
"Unfortunately, not much. Ami said the Smuggler Alliance is sending in what they have around but it probably won't be a lot. At least some more freighters showed up."
"Time is running out. We need to stall the Vong."
"The Eight is preparing for a last attempt and will attack their rear to pin them on position. But it's just another hit and run and the enemy is moving even faster than everybody expected."
Mamoru thought about it for a moment, brooding.
"We're changing our plan. The Far Side will take evacuees immediately. I'll contact the Planet's Government. I'll need you to come up with something." The king paused for a second. "You're allowed to use everything we have to stall the enemy's advance."
Captain Tanaka, Pilot of one of the Lambda-Shuttles, was tired. He had lost count how many missions he already had flown already since they got here. He must have flown out thousands of people by now, bringing them to ships waiting in orbit, some of them just plain bulk freighters. But tired or not he and his crew know what was at stake, he had heard enough stories about the horrors of the Vong War.
And what he just had heard, sent cold shivers down his spine. Originally it had been planned that the Far Side would just get loaded with evacuees towards the end of the operation but now the Admiral himself had come in on the comms and opened the Far Side for the boarding of evacuees effective immediately.
He and his co-pilot exchanged a dark look with each other before Tanaka gave more thrust on the engines as he accelerated towards Rago again, just after having delivered double the capacity of his shuttle on evacuees to a freighter.
Rei was on the ground in the Capital, helping with the boarding and registering of evacuees when a soldier with a radio came over to her. It was urgent, and it was the Queen herself. The Senator took a handheld radio speaker from the Soldier.
"Queen?" She asked.
"Rei. Stop the registering and just get the people into the ships."
"Come again? We will have a total chaos if we don't register them here."
"I know that but it doesn't matter anymore. Fill up these ships as fast and as full as you can. And see that you yourself come back to the Far Side as soon as possible as well." With that Serenity II. ended the transmission.
Rei stared at the speaker for a moment, while she tried to accept what was going on.
She closed her eyes for another moment to gather herself before she gave out orders to the diplomatic staff.
Four hours later the first of the Bulwarks had arrived in System and had been immediately dispatched to the third biggest city on the planet, a city of 250.000 inhabitants. Good thing the huge ships could land on the planet, but order was already getting loose and things were made up on the run by now, as the ship was already descending into the atmosphere when it got the coordinates to where to land.
Also various freighters had arrived, members of the Smuggler's Guild and the ships immediately took course onto the planet. Since most of the ships were smaller, they headed for the planet's smaller towns and villages.
SunTzu and the three women had taken a small nap in their ships planetside to make room for the in and out going flights to the Far Side, as the four pilots had really needed a break.
After waking up and a spartan breakfast of energy bars they were scheduled to get back to patrolling.
SunTzu hadn't heard from Rei in almost eight hours but he guessed she was just as busy as he was. As Hotaru brought AICA up to the sky he closed his eyes and sent his thoughts out to Rei.
After a few hours of sleep inside a small repulsorshuttle belonging to the planetary authorities, Rei was on her way to a meeting with the Planet's Government. Three times already she had declined to be brought off the planet and had continued to help with the evacuation efforts. The meeting had been scheduled between a member of the Diplomatic Service and the Planet's Government but she insisted to go herself as she was the highest representative of Sol System and the Taskforce on the planet after all. And then she had sent everyone, including her assistant off the planet.
Right now, her and a single platoon of Troopers from second Company were the only earthlings left on Rago, flying towards the Presidential Palace in a speeder belonging to the planet's authorities. Below her the streets were packed and blocked by tens of thousands of individuals trying to get to the evacuation points, while the local authorities tried to upheld at least a basic kind of order.
As she was on a way to the governmental building she could sense a warm feeling. She closed her eyes and smiled and thought about her boyfriend while she enjoyed the feeling as he tried to touch her soul before she opened them and looked into the direction she vaguely could feel SunTzu was. While around her things began to show signs of dissolution, his gentle psychic touch gave her at least a small bit of comfort.
SunTzu could sense the answer from the planet and turned his head on AICA's backseat towards a certain point on the planet. He really hoped that Rei was safe and okay.
And then he gathered himself for the next patrol.
Another hour later Admiral and King were on the Bridge of the Far Side next to each other and behind Captain Santos, who commanded the ship's crew .
An Adjutant just had brought them a piece of paper with the latest update on the Eight Fleet's attacks.
Artemis read it and then silently gave it to Mamoru. It told what both were expecting.
Mamoru zoned out for a moment and looked out of the bridge forward window and then he took a deep breather.
"Call the First Knight and his wingmen back. And then empty the hangar, we're proceeding with your plan. Although I wish we wouldn't have to."
Rei just had finished the meeting with the Planet's government representatives.
The President, his prime minister and some other high officials would stay back for now while others would begin to leave the planet as soon as possible. The provisional government in exile was getting ready to start it's work from Ansion by now. Around the Palace, the planet's security forces were beginning to grow in their numbers, apparently getting ready for defensive measures.
Right now the Senator of Sol was accompanying the President's wife and his two daughters to the official governmental yacht, which had landed in front of the governmental building. Even the yacht would be packed as full as possible.
Rei wished the President's family all the best and the woman and her children quickly entered the starship.
In that moment a Larty came soaring in and landed in front of the building as well.
The gunship's door glided open and the Commandos of Team One, along with Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus jumped out.
While half of the Commandos formed a perimeter, although weapons not drawn, the other half, together with the crew of the Larty and local forces began to unload crates with military two Inner Senshi walked up to their fellow Sailor Guardian and Sailor Venus rose to speak.
"Mars, you're coming with us. Taskforce Sol is leaving the planet."
"But I'm not done on this planet. I need to help here!"
"We have strict orders from the Queen herself to bring you back." The First of the Senshi stated bluntly. It was rare for Rei to see Minako act so serious, especially towards her. Something really bad seemed to be going on. When Rei took a glance at the crates the troopers were unloading she saw that those crates were containing weapons and ammunition.
The three flying Outers and SunTzu were ordered in midst their patrol to immediately fly back to the Far Side.
On the way the quartet was puzzling about why they had been ordered back so surprisingly.
What was even more strange was that, one of the shuttles and two of the gunships were in a waiting position in front of the Far Side's hangar. The pilots knew that getting as much evacuees as possible on board had the highest priority in the Taskforce now, so this was a very uncommon move.
When the two Starfighters glided into the hangar they noticed that it was almost empty, except for Karlena, a few other members of the ground crew, four Royal Guards, another crewman with a repulsor cart, with an unusual looking weapons crate on it, Admiral Artemis and King Endymion.
As the pilots left their machines they could see the gloomy mood the two Leaders of their Force had in their faces.
Both leaders walked up in front of SunTzu, who was standing in front of AICA, his helmet under his arm. The three Senshi were behind him, helmets off as well.
SunTzu immediately knew what was in the weapons crate. He turned around to Hotaru.
"Hotaru, go to your room and get some rest."
"I am okay, I'm rested enough." The teenage girl replied, apparently surprised to be sent away and staying where she was.
"This wasn't a request, Lieutenant." SunTzu said, his voice more severe now, making Hotaru glance over to Haruka who nodded.
Wordlessly and without looking back the raven haired girl walked off, followed by her superior's gaze.
After she was out of earshot SunTzu focused back on the two officers in front of them and nodded.
King Endymion grabbed into his pocket and handed SunTzu a handwritten piece of paper, orders.
SunTzu knew what it was saying before he read it. He knew that it was signed by both King and Admiral. And he knew they didn't like what they were initiating right now, not a bit.
He read the order, which said for his eyes only, and then looked back to his King.
"Permission to execute the mission on my own. Captain Tenoh and Kaiou can stay behind at this system."
"Denied. The mission is too important. Your wingmen will cover you, while you deliver the payload."
SunTzu fell silent for a moment and swallowed hard.
"Affirmative, Sir." He handed the orders back to Endymion, while Artemis already used his hands to motion the ground crew to begin with arming AICA.
"You're moving out, immediately." King Endymion ordered them and the trio saluted before it got back to their ships and entered their cockpits.
SunTzu was doing a last system check while the ground crew finished their work, his canopy was still open.
Suddenly Karlena, the female Devaronian, which was the head of the starfighter mechanics and a mother figure to everyone frequently in the hangar, appeared next to his face, her expression stern but dedicated.
"We're done, you're ready to go." She paused for a moment and looked to the ground before she continued. "You know, I became a snub mechanic during the Vong War. I know what they are able to when they act in fanaticism." She motioned out of the hangar gate with her head, where Rago was visible. "What they will do to this planet and it's inhabitants. I know it's hard but you're doing the right thing in trying to stop them."
SunTzu looked at her for a moment and then nodded slowly. She said her goodbye with a nod as well and then left his side.
Two minutes later the two advanced starfighters shot out of the hangar, turned left and as soon as they could, jumped into hyperspace, AICA providing them with navigational data.
They weren't in hyperspace for a minute but In this small time SunTzu recieved a holo from King Endymion.
"I'm sorry to put this burden onto you my friend. I wish we could try to get some more time for the evacuation otherwise, but there aren't any options left. We both know what will happen if the Vong arrive at Rago before we evacuated the planet." Mamoru told his First Knight over a secure channel, probably he was in Ami's office, just in case they would need to use override codes for AICA. But SunTzu had made his peace with opening the box of pandora that was sitting behind him in AICA's belly. It was war and these rogue Vong of Domain Shai would effectively kill everybody they could get their hands on in the Rago System one way or another, be it combat, slavery or as sacrifice. So, if they had a weapon that they could use it against them, they should use it against them.
If I have to become Death, Destroyer of Worlds, become War himself, to protect my beloved Rei, my friends and millions of innocent I will. I will do everything that I have to do to protect this galaxy.
They fell out of hyperspace again. Different to SunTzu, Haruka and Michiru only knew that they were ordered to guard SunTzu.
SunTzu had more specific orders and they rushed towards an asteroid field as fast as they could. Even AICA's high-resolution optical sensors couldn't make the Vong Fleet out yet, just a few brighter dots against the darkness in the distance.
AICA shot for where a tiny drone that had been collecting data in the asteroid field and now was used as indicator where to head to.
SunTzu carefully maneuvered her towards a small asteroid, with a crater in it, the drone was next to it, watching his moves. Haruka and Michiru stayed back at the beginning of the asteroid field and held watch over their surroundings. AICA also had her sensors recording his approach and in Ami's office on the Far Side, the Chief of Intelligence, Admiral of the Taskforce and King and Supreme Commander of Crystal Tokyo followed SunTzu's approach.
After he was sure, the bomb wouldn't fly away the German opened AICA's bomb bay and released the weapon which slowly glided into the crater.
SunTzu wanted to make sure the bomb would stay where it was and reached out with the force to bring the bomb to hold inside the small crater.
He had just finished when Haruka broke the radio silence.
"Contact, four bandits, four clicks to our three!"
SunTzu maneuvered AICA away from asteroid again, making sure the bomb would stay in place and then accelerated into the asteroid field.
Meanwhile Haruka had been spotted by the four Coralskippers with and was already engaged in a fierce dogfight.
She and Michiru somehow managed to overload the dovin basal on one of the skips with concentrated fire and then to shot it down but the other three were in hot pursuit and their plasma cannons were gnawing at the Voyager's shields.
Suddenly one of the skips exploded after six small warheads hit him at once, the last two pushing through its dovin basal and making the asteroid-shaped ship explode.
The second skip immediately changed it's course to intercept SunTzu.
And holy shit, it was fast and agile. SunTzu had to throw AICA around like a maniac to shake the Vong off, as he was a skilled pilot. Haruka was struggling to shake her chaser off as well. Gone seemed the days of flying against hardly learning droid fighters and amateurish mercenaries in jury-rigged fighters.
SunTzu had to get back into the asteroid field to shake his pursuer and fly as close as possible to the asteroids, even taking some hits on his shields from smaller stones. Finally, after a particular close encounter with two asteroids colliding with each other the coral skipper didn't make it in time and crashed into one of the asteroids.
SunTzu was immediately on his way out of the asteroid field as Haruka had announced she had lost her shields.
The Senshi of Flight really was fighting to shake her pursuer, while Michiru tried to hit him with the rear turret, but the skip was moving like crazy and his flying pattern was completely unpredictable. The Vong didn't go for aimed shots but rather for mass and kept the Voyager under steady shelling.
The sheer mass of plasma that was vaguely pumped into their way finally bested their shields.
Knowing that the next hit would probably end them Haruka began to jink like crazy, which lead to Michiru loosing sight to the snub chasing them.
It took a few moments for the teal haired to find him again, and she spotted him above them, where she couldn't shoot at him. Apparently the Vong noticed they had lost their shields and was now taking his sweet time for a pot shot that would end them.
"Haruka! Above us!" Michiru yelled and her voice shrieked through her girlfriends headset and through the cockpit.
Haruka tried to dive as fast as she could and veer away but it was too late.
The Vong followed their path and shot.
Michiru knew it was over and to her surprise, she wasn't afraid. Actually she was happy that she would die together with Haruka and none of them had to suffer a second in a galaxy without the other. She just wished she could have touched Haruka one last time, just like before they had died in their fight against Galaxia.
Haruka had her eyes closed and expected to feel something abruptly.
Pain, heat of an explosion or the extreme cold of the void but nothing came.
Flying as fast as AICA could and as fast as the bit of energy that he had left in him could enhance her speed, as setting the bomb firm in place had exhausted him immensely, and just before the plasma shot of the coral skipper crashed into the round cockpit of the TIE-Aggressor, SunTzu managed to rush over the Voyager, the shot crashing into AICA's weakened shields and with a colorful display made them finally collapse.
AICA wasn't having any of it though and had her lasers swung up towards the Coralskipper showering him stuttered laser fire, while the impact of the shot violently threw SunTzu around in his cockpit.
A Starfighter below Michiru had found her composure again and gripped the controls of her weapon station so tight that her joints became white.
Letting out a primal yell, angered down into the depths of her soul that someone almost killed Haruka, she began to shoot as well.
AICA's stutter fire overloaded the dovin basal and Michiru's sniper like shots shove right into the cockpit of the skipper, disintegrating most of it's pilot.
As soon as SunTzu stopped seeing stars he spoke to AICA.
"AICA, a hyperspace course out of here, immediately!"
Ten seconds later the two starfighters had a hyperspace course back to Rago and where about to jump.
In that second Vong ships fell out of hyperspace.
"Let's get the fuck out of here!" Haruka yelled and both ships immediately jumped away.
In Ami's office on the Far Side the three spectators each took a very deep breather after holding their breath for the last minute. They almost had lost three of their friends, but the bomb was in position in now. Mamoru found himself that he wasn't sure if that would have been worth the death of Michiru, Haruka and SunTzu, even if their sacrifice would have saved Rago.
Rei was inside the Larty to the Far Side, carrying her and the last remaining troops from the Taskforce to their flagship, protecting and maintaining the Landing Zones and Evacuation spots was now completely done by Rago's Security Forces, when the intercom clicked. The pilot was patching something through so that everybody inside could hear it. And to everyone's surprise the voice of their King came in. What the passengers of the Gunship didn't know, was that the speech was also broadcasted through every other ship of the Taskforce.
"Personnel of Taskforce Sol, my loyal troops, my friends. As some of you already have noticed there are some surprising changes in our evac operation of Rago. Fact is, the Eight Fleet couldn't slow down Domain Shai, which is heading for this system. As last attempt to stop them me and Admiral Artemis have decided to use a tactical nuclear weapon. The warhead just was delivered by our brave starfigher pilots. Please believe that it wasn't easy for us to decide to take such drastic measures but we have to slow the enemy down or our we won't make it in time to evacuate the planet. I hope to announce better news to you soon. May the moonlight light our all paths."
SunTzu and the two Senshi had landed while the King gave his speech.
Michiru was completely pale and shaking heavily so Haruka turned around to her and embraced her from behind. Michiru immediately turned around and reciprocated the hug, clinging firmly onto Haruka as if her life would depend on it.
SunTzu had left AICA and was standing in front of his starfighter now. He pulled his helmet down and revealed a tired face, with even more tired eyes. For a moment he just stood there in front of Michiru, who was supported by Haruka.
"SunTzu." Michiru said quietly and he snapped out of his thoughts, and shifted his gaze to her. Without any more words the teal haired Senshi pressed herself against his chest, closely followed by her taller girlfriend, embracing both her girlfriend and her best friend from the side, while SunTzu put one arm each around the women.
"Thank you for saving Michiru."
Haruka whispered into his ear. "Thank you for saving us." She continued, equally whispered.
The three friends clinged their heads together, not wanting to think about what almost had happened.
"You know, I can't afford to loose you guys." SunTzu whispered with a brittle voice, making the girls hug him harder.
In that moment the Larty with the three Inner Senshi, Team One and the rest of the Troops that had been on Rago landed.
When the door glided open Venus and Rei got out first.
After a few steps Rei noticed the three pilots in their embrace and she changed her route towards them, Sailor Venus following her. Their embrace alone told her, who it had been that delivered the bomb Mamoru had talked about.
After a moment she arrived in front of them, they were still close together.
"Are you guys okay?" She asked, making the three pilots turn around to her.
"We are. Because of SunTzu. Your boyfriend literally took a bullet for me and Michiru." Haruka answered, her arm still on SunTzu's shoulder.
Rei nodded.
How typical for him. And probably in the most crazy and suicidal way. Oh TopGun, you'll never change.
"I'm glad you guys didn't got hurt then." Rei replied with honest sympathy and then looked at SunTzu and Michiru.
"You guys look tired, maybe we all should get some rest. I'm pooped as well."
Michiru nodded slowly, her gaze drifting away and Haruka grabbed her and lead her out the hangar.
Rei stepped towards SunTzu and cupped his tired looking face before she planted a light kiss on his lips.
"I'm glad you're okay." She hushed and took his hand, leading him out the hangar as well.
A few minutes later they were in Rei's room and SunTzu was taking a shower. He took a hot shower, trying to fight the cold he was feeling inside, as his whole body involuntarily began to shake. Finally the adrenaline had faded and the thought that he almost lost his two friends, barely being able to save them, catched completely up with him.
It took him several minutes to bring himself under control again and when SunTzu left the shower he was so exhausted that he basically stumbled into the bed, where Rei, wearing a tank top, hair in a bun and glasses on, was sitting upright, checking a datapad for the newest update on the situation.
SunTzu laid his head on her stomach and immediately passed out from exhaustion.
Rei began to gently caress his head. It felt strange for her, on the one side she was proud of him for once again saving his friends, while risking his own life. But on the other side she found it extreme, that he could firmly fall asleep after he just had delivered a nuclear bomb to destroy the enemy.
One and a half hour after SunTzu feel asleep on the woman he loved, the bomb exploded, exactly when parts of the Yuuzhan Vong Armada passed by.
The US-made B61 Mod. 11 tactical nuclear free fall bomb had a yield of 400 Kilotons of TNT, thirty times more than the nuclear bomb that had been dropped on Hiroshima.
The effects on the Vong Ships were devastating.
The ships were moving fast and didn't had their dovin Basals activated to put more speed in and apart from the explosion the asteroids acted like oversized shrapnel, ripping huge holes into ships.
There was only one problem.
The rogue Domain's ships had shortly stopped to see if another attack was imminent after the two Starfighter's of the GFFA had fleed and this had stalled their advance for around half an hour.
What was hit now, wasn't the main core of the Fleet but rather it's Vanguard.
The bomb destroyed two Cruiser Analogues, three Frigate Analogues and a dozen Corvettes as well as untold numbers of Coralskippers, damaging even more ships and killed thousands or rather tens of thousands Yuuzhan Vong Warriors.
But the rest of the Armada was still moving on.