Sailor Pluto left the portal, but not back in her quarters where she had originally left from. She had to go over there soon and see about Hotaru, although she was pretty sure that the teenager wasn't in her room but rather with the other pilots in the hangar. No doubt the starfighters would be ready to deploy in a second's notice.
The woman looking out of the observation window of the Far Side didn't turn around when she sensed the electrical tingling of the air around it when the portal through time and space opened behind her.
Rather she took another draw of the cigarette she was smoking.
Somehow the observation deck had survived the almost destruction of the Far Side without a scratch and now it gave sight on the ever shining lights of nighttime Coruscant just a few hundred meters below. And of the dozen of ships formed around the Far Side, shielding it from ships of the Coruscant Security Forces and Galactic Alliance Navy ships loyal to them. These ships' position lights were clearly visible in the night, just a few dozen meters away.
The woman at the window blew out a cloud of smoke.
"I was expecting to find you here." Sailor Pluto said and stepped next to the other woman.
"It means a lot to me, that I'm the first you're seeing, Onee-san." A second of silence. "How is he?"
Setsuna also didn't turn her head away from the view in front of them.
"It's really hard for him. Not that he wants to talk about it."
"Typical TopGun. And let me guess he's pretty sure that he will die tomorrow."
Setsuna shot the woman a glance.
"What is your prediction for tomorrow, Rei?"
A moment of silence followed before the Senator of Sol System answered, stonefaced as before.
"I couldn't get enough support in the Senate. They will definitely plead for guilty."
"I see. The Jedi are torn in their plead."
Both Senshi shared a glance at each other, it really would be close for SunTzu tomorrow. And it made both of them tense. And not only them.
A guilt sentence for SunTzu could spark a mutiny in the military as how things were developing now. The Fleet was fed up of the way local security forces, who mostly didn't participate in the Shadow War, were supplied significantly better than they should be just because their Senators tried to save their own systems and sectors instead of supplying the fleet with ships and supplies to help fight the enemy in other places. And now one of their best was on trial and the Senate had exactly the same weight in the trial as the military. The high-ranking officers knew what happened at Linta and most of them still were, at least silently, on SunTzu's side. He had taken down a huge enemy fleet after all.
"Got one for me?" Setsuna asked and nodded towards Rei's cigarette.
"Whatever happened to smoking is bad for your health?"
Setsuna snorted. "Been a long night."
"Just wait how long tomorrow will be." Rei answered as she nestled her cigarettes and fire out of her blazer's pocket.
When Setsuna took the cigarette out of the package Rei noticed something eerie. Fashion and design were the guilty pleasures of the oldest of the Senshi and she was always looking flawless, but now Rei could see that her glove looked like it was put on in a hurry. And her Fuku was wet and wrinkled on the chest.
Setsuna noticed that Rei was looking closely at her and their gazes met again.
"Sets, what did you guys do?" Rei asked her friend with an ambiguous voice and the emerald haired immediately blushed.
"No-no-nothing."
"So then why are your clothes so messed up?" She teased the taller woman further.
Setsuna straightened up but Rei saw that the Senshi of Time needed quite the power of will to look into her eyes.
"He asked me to stay with him a bit. IN A COMPLETE NON-SEXUAL way of course. As soon as he relaxed he broke down."
Rei nodded and Setsuna lighted her cigarette and then both women stood there in silence for a long moment and looked out the observation window, smoking.
"It's good, that he had a shoulder to cry on, he has been through a lot lately. And I'm glad it was you. My opinion on it hasn't changed since Washington, Setsuna. It just got reinforced actually. I couldn't safe his soul. And probably neither his life. It's up to you now."
Setsuna shot Rei a glance after the younger woman had said that and she saw the uneasyness and despair in Rei's face.
"You know how things are for me Rei. It's not that easy. But I made one decision. I won't just stand there, while they will execute him for saving us, our Queen and the Sol System."
"I think none of us will. Yomi, not even Yuichiro. Even if Usagi tries to stall things as long as she can to not blow up this tinderbox. If he gets convicted all hell will break loose. I hope she knows that."
Wordlessly the two Senshi finished their cigarettes watching the two fleets outside the window, hovering over the Galactic's Capital.
SunTzu woke up when there was loud banging on his cell door.
The small window where he got his food from opened and a tray with his breakfast was put inside. SunTzu thanked the lord that he was in a place like this, even the food was pretty edible, although sometimes a bit stale.
He got up from his bed and took the tray at the door.
"Be ready in two hours." The guard told him before he closed the window again.
SunTzu put the tray on the table in his room. And then he got back on his bed.
He needed a moment. He had slept well and felt refreshed but what bothered him, was that although he might would get executed today and should focus on the trial, all he could think of was Setsuna and her visit yesterday. And the faint smell of her still ingering in his bed didn't make things any better. He always found her beautiful, nonetheless than Rei he had to admit. And although she sometimes treated him harshly she had always been there.
And there was something else about that scent, he had smelled it some other time before and it was a very important moment. He just couldn't remember where.
Two hours later SunTzu was brought to the Imperial Palace, which probably hadn't been that secured ever since the Yuuzhan Vong War.
The convoy which transported SunTzu consisted of four armored vehicles and several lighter ones. In the air it was escorted by a flight of four XJ-Wings from the Jedi and two gunships from the CSF. Along with that he had received a band around his neck, made out of Miriskin, the leather of the Ysalamiri, small reptiles from the planet Myrkr. Ysalamiri had an unique ability, to hide them from their Force-sensitive predators they were able to repel the Force. Using this unique ability Miriskin was used to cut a individual's access to the Force.
Meanwhile the two flotillas facing each other above the Palace had grown in numbers as well.
From all over the Galaxy ships had joined the Far Side and the Anakin Skywalker. Crown Prince Roland with his flag ship and another frigate from the Seventh Fleet as well as Ramrod had joined the Pro-SunTzu-Fleet along Kyp's dozen, sans Kyp Durron himself, as the Jedi Master would sit in the court. A recon flotilla from the Core also had joined, claiming that they owed the Ghost of the Core one.
On the other side two whole squadrons of Jedi in XJ-Wings had joined the mixture of ships of the Fourth Fleet, facing other ships from the same Fleet, CSF, local defence forces from up to Metellos and Anaxes and from the First Reserve Fleet. The Contra-SunTzu-Faction wasn't falling behind in size in any way.
Rumors were circulating around, that ships from the First Fleet under direct command of Grand Admiral Pellaeon were on the way to keep both parties apart from clashing with each other.
These rumors didn't stop both sides from occasional provocations. Especially the side of the Contra-SunTzu-Fleet was the target of radio propaganda. A fleet this size would be very welcomed at any front of the War they were told over a plethora of comms channels.
On the Far Side Sailor Pluto got ready to leave the ship. The shuttle of the Head of the Senate would take her, as it was a more or less neutral ship. Senator Marrithraar had made it clear that he wouldn't take a side but respect the Senate's decision.
Rei had been furious as her last attempt to get her inside the trial had proven fruitless and it took Yuichiro over one hour to finally calm her down.
The Royals, the Senshi and Artemis were assembled around the shuttle and told Setsuna to give SunTzu their well wishes for SunTzu before she left and soon after, a few remaining members of the Royal Court grouped up inside the Mission Control Center from where they would observe the trial. Although all of them tried to seem different, all of them were tense.
The other Outers and Makoto had directly stayed at the Far Side's hangar after Setsuna's departure. Nobody talked about it, but it was clear that they would not come back to the Control Center. A great lot of the Commandos, all the other pilots on board and groups of other soldiers had gathered in the hangar. In full gear and with ammunition, as apparently Bob and the rest of the armory where on SunTzu's side as well. Mamoru had stayed quiet about it so far but Artemis had ordered the Royal Guard into the hangar as well. He also forbid any craft of the Taskforce to start.
Neo Queen Serenity knew that the next few hours would become a decisive verification for the Taskforce, the GA's Armed Forces and the whole Galaxy.
Her eyes gave away more concern than she wanted too, as she had watched four of her Senshi stay behind in the hangar. Her orders to not interfere were still standing, but she knew that a great lot of her troops and her Senshi wouldn't let their friend and comrade die.
"Usako, I'm here with you. I stand with you, no matter what happens. I respect your every decision." The King leaned down to her as he grabbed his beloved wife's hand and squeeze it reassuringly. "You're doing a great job."
With a faint smile she looked up to him for a moment before she cleared her throat and looked at Artemis, silently looking at the holo projector.
"Admiral, has Sailor Pluto's shuttle reached the Imperial Palace yet?"
Having arrived at the Imperial Palace, Super Sailor Pluto was escorted out of the Shuttle by four members of the Imperial Palace Guard.
And although inside she was torn and she was pent-up close as if it was her life on the line today, along with knowing that the two additional guards meaning that the security on location didn't trust her, her visible demeanor didn't gave away any indication for this.
Head held high and face of pure sublimity she strutted down the ramp of the shuttle, the Garnet Rod held strong and upright in her right arm.
She was the pure picture of grace as she stopped a few steps away from the shuttle, in front of Jedi Master and Member of the Jedi Council, Kyp Durron.
The Jedi Master bowed but even after all this years as Jedi Master he had to admit that his formal bow bordered in disrespect in the amenity that her bow in reply had. He was one of the few outside of the Inner Court of the Crystal Kingdom who knew about the Senshi's true powers and he had to admit, this woman truly was of divinity.
"Guards, leave Sailor Pluto and me alone. We have to talk in private." He ordered the guardsmen, more of them around the landing pad.
A sergeant of the guard rose to speak.
"Master Durron, we cannot comply with your order. Even if you're a Jedi."
"Sergeant, you want me to call my Grandmaster and get the authorization from the Chief of State herself? His twin sister? I just need your name, so Lady, and Jedi Knight if you happen to remember, Organa-Solo knows which Sergeant of the Guard, doesn't cooperate with the Jedi."
Kyp casually replied to the guardsman who looked like he was about to faint.
"I… Sorry, Sir! Of course you will be allowed to escort Sailor Pluto on your own." The sergeant even saluted.
The gazes of Sailor Pluto and Kyp met, both with the hints of smiles on their faces and Kyp motioned Sailor Pluto towards the building.
"Shall we?" He asked and the tall woman nodded.
They entered the building which was the Seat of the Chief of State and for a minute walked next to each other in silence before Kyp broke the silence.
"Although he wasn't my Padawan I do feel like he's my protégé and I do hope he's getting acquitted."
He noticed that she wasn't even listening. Too bad her mind was too strong and too trained to probe into and sense her feelings. But he could estimate what was going on inside her.
"Lady Pluto?"
Setsuna visibly flinched, she had been completely zoned out. "I'm awfully sorry, Master Durron. I was in thoughts."
Still walking he shot her a small smile while briefly glancing over to her. "Lady Pluto, I heard the story about when he almost died while neutralizing Cad Bane. You were the one who saved him, right? I saw your reaction when you saw his wounds at the temple. You truly do care for him."
Setsuna didn't answer at first and for a few steps the Jedi Master and the Demigoddess just walked next to each other.
"I might be what we call an guardian angel on Earth for him." She looked at him. "My daughter is his protégé and she's very attached to him."
Kyp's lip formed to a faint smile, he knew there was more and that Setsuna not only was worried about him because of her daughter. "Don't worry I will keep it secret that it was you who saved him. And with the disunity about SunTzu in the High Council I do hope your daughter gets to see him again. And that you two can speak to each other in freedom again."
When SunTzu arrived at the Palace Building he was greeted by a small army of guards, soldiers and CSF troopers and lead into a makeshift cell inside the Palace where he stayed for a short bit before he was lead out again and brought to the room where the trial took place.
SunTzu walked towards a central table with one chair next to it, one of the Guards had even been so nice to pull out his chair, while another guard freed him from his restraints.
To the table's left was a tribune with onlookers. It was full with Jedi, high-ranking officers and other officials among others.
A few meters in front of his table was another large, elevated table, containing the seats of the speakers of the factions.
But he hadn't even taken a look at who would decide about his life as all he had eyes for was the emerald-haired beauty in her white sleveless Sailor Fuku with the translucent shoulder pads, the maroon chest bow with the heart shaped brooch and the black skirt with the maroon back bow. She had come and it gave him at least a bit of uplift to know that his friends hadn't forgotten about him. She only had glanced at him for a moment as he entered and then lowered her gaze and then crossed her gloved hands.
Is she praying?
SunTzu finally looked to the front before he sat down.
He greeted the Chief of State with a nod, as she was the one sitting in the front, next to the Head of the Senate and her twin brother, who represented the Jedi. Next to Grandmaster Skywalker was Admiral Nek Bwua'tu, being the voice of the Forces.
SunTzu sat down and let out a big, yet silent sigh. Maybe he should have gotten someone to defend him.
He looked to his left again and his eyes finally locked with Setsuna's. She nodded at him, trying to force a smile and he nodded back. Next to her was Master Durron and SunTzu and his Jedi Master exchanged a nod as well.
He also saw that Colonel Jacen Solo was sitting front row on the tribune, SunTzu didn't see Jaina though.
He also exchanged a nod with Leon who was at post behind the Chief of State, overwatching the room. Ada's lover's face was unreadable but SunTzu could imagine that Leon had better days at work before.
The door to the meeting room opened again and SunTzu could hear whispers behind him. Apparently the Miriskin was working as for once he couldn't sense the arrival of the individual that just had entered the room.
Wordlessly the huge appearance that Darth Vader was, walked up to the tribunal's table and positioned himself next to it.
SunTzu couldn't help himself but to think that with Vader his executioner had just arrived.
Setsuna had arrived a few minutes earlier together with Master Durron. She realized that the support for SunTzu in this room was limited. Jacen Solo, one of the children of the Chief of State as well as some of the officers, among them General Cracken, greeted the Jedi Master and her. The supporters stayed close together and talked silently, although not about the trial, with each other. That was until the door opened and Lady Organa-Solo entered, along with the other judges. Everybody took their seat and soon after SunTzu was brought in.
It hurted Sailor Pluto to see him like that, hands tied behind his back and four armed guards around him. He had been tortured and beaten up by the enemy, an enemy that had enslaved a whole planet and made it's inhabitants into more or less mindless soldiers for Chaos and now he could be executed for doing what soldiers do, neutralizing the enemy. She couldn't bare to look at him, it hurted her. And somehow it made the tiny scar on the underside of her arm, under her glove, itch. Why did SunTzu reminded her of the man she once loved so dearly so much? Even his breakdown yesterday, where she had been the shoulder for the cunning warrior to cry upon felt like it had back then with that man.
And then she understood, just like him back then SunTzu could die wrongly. And just like the other man she had ever truely loved after that man he could fall a victim to Chaos. It was fear, genuine fear of loosing him.
Keep it together Setsuna, you made a vow to yourself to not let your feelings for SunTzu get the best of you. Maybe one day, one day, when he truly had become the man he should be, then you can give yourself in. If he survives today that is…
Sailor Pluto looked to the floor, she wished she could do anything. But her Queen had made it clear, no rescue attempts. But she couldn't let him die either, deep down she knew the Queen wouldn't let it come to this as well, there was no way she would let the Guardian die. Or was there? Setsuna hoped that Usagi's confidence in others was the right thing this time again.
The Guardian of Time took a deep breather and crossed her hands. Sometimes even a Demigoddess had to pray.
Ada was in her office, not far away from the large meeting room where the trial would be held.
If SunTzu would have been there he would made a joke that if Ada would be smoking Gauloises she would look like a spy straight out of a French spy movie.
She had been chainsmoking since ever she had gotten in her office this morning. And she wasn't the only one on the edge, Yumeko and Mary who both were with her in the room, were similarly nervous. At least the aeration in the office was working flawlessly so they weren't sitting in a cloud of cigarette smoke while the trio was glued to the holo projector showing the trial.
Ami was in her office as well, following the trial on holo as well, but unlike Ada she was alone, as she wanted to be alone. It was hard for Ami, knowing one of her best friends might could die today, in a trial that had been stipulated mostly by the Senate and the local Forces of wealthy Sectors far away from the frontlines and not being allowed to help. She would never disobey her Queen but just sitting around wasn't exactly to her liking either.
She knew that Neptune, Uranus and Saturn were in the hangar, as was Sailor Jupiter. They had been more offensive in their demands to help him, but still couldn't bring the Princess to allow them any actions.
Nonetheless the hangar was bustling with Taskforce personnel, ready to defend the Far Side, ready to execute a rescue mission or, in case of the present Royal Guards and Military Police, ready on the Royal's order to foil any unallowed attempts to do the first two.
Haruka had openly told Usagi that she always would follow her beloved Bunhead but that she also needed to be ready to defend the ship, and therefore the Queen. And, after a glance at Sailor Pluto, to escort any of their comrades back, just in case. Michiru of course had followed with a nod towards the Royals. Hotaru hadn't left AICA's side since the morning and she had been awake even before her mother. But she didn't even plan to use the A-Wing. In case of any hostilities AICA would defend the Far Side and Hotaru would head down to Coruscant. Or in the case SunTzu would ruled guilty. The teenager was bound and determined to protect her family. She had told Chibiusa about it and her princess, and best friend, had reinforced her in her opinion. Saving one of them was like saving the Queen, as both knew Chibusa's mother couldn't life without my any member of the Inner Circle. And it wasn't just about SunTzu, Setsuna was down there as well and both teenagers knew that Hotaru's mother wouldn't just sit there in case of SunTzu's conviction and the Princess wouldn't let anything harm her good lifelong friend. They probably knew better than Setsuna herself that the Guardian of Space and Time would intervene in case of SunTzu's conviction and the two teenagers knew that both Sailor Pluto and SunTzu needed help on the ground then.
Sailor Jupiter had stayed with the Outers in the hangar as well. Partly to help keeping the Commandos and other troops under control, but mostly to be ready if Usagi would allow a rescue mission after all.
Rei, Yuichiro and Minako were with the Queen, the King and Artemis in the Mission Control Center, watching how SunTzu was lead inside the courtroom. Just like Ada, Rei had become a chain smoker in the last few hours.
Artemis had told her that smoking was prohibited in the control room. After having been told that a System's Senator was by law able to seize control over a system's military in case of danger and threatend to demote the Admiral, while Yuichiro tried to calm her down and the Royals stood wordlessly, knowing better than to intervene at the Senshi of Passion's outbourst next to them, Artemis finally asked her for her to at least give him one as well.
Rei having finished her first package nestled out another package she had brought in her handbag.
For a moment she paused as she noticed which special package she had packed into the bag this morning. And then she felt a weird urge both to cry and to laugh out loud. The Gods or the Force or whomever ran this whole show sure had a strange sense of humor. It was the box with the rest of the cigarettes SunTzu had given her on that landing zone a few weeks ago.
"Rei?" Both Minako and Yuichiro asked at the same time.
Rei looked up again, taken out of her thoughts.
"Are you okay?" Yuichiro asked and Rei smiled at him.
"I'm okay. I just need another cigarette before I'm ready to watch how TopGun makes half the Galaxy go crazy just to walk out of that courtroom in the end. We all know how much this will boost his damn ego." She answered, trying to sound funny but only making the Neo Queen and her first Senshi and fellow blonde look at each other worried.
With Ramrod on his left and the Anakin Solo on it's right, the Far Side hung low above Coruscant, visible from the Galaxy's Seat of Power. Unless one had to wear a black bag over his head as SunTzu had when he had been brought from the convoy transporting him to inside the Palace. The CSF had ruled it would have been better to npt let him know that a sizeable fleet, completely with accompanying regular ground troops, Spec Forces and the most advanced Star Destroyer as well as the two most advanced starfighters in the fleet among them, were here to support him.
The banter and provocation between the pro- and contra-SunTzu-factions hadn't stop and by now the first CSF-ships, a group of three frigates, had set the new bar by activating their shields and defensive weapons. A Star Destroyer of the Fourth under command of Commander Fuez Wem was the next ship of the opposing fleet that followed.
The standoff had become even more risky.
It didn't took long after SunTzu had sat down, that Chief of State and Princess of Alderaan, a planet destroyed by a superweapon thirty-nine years ago, opened the trial.
SunTzu had to stand up to hear the accusations against him, among them genocide, read out to the court.
The pilot was dressed in a black Starfighter Corps Dress Uniform but without any of his medals and ribbons, as they all were stored in AICA or in his home in Juban.
Straightfaced he listened to the prosecution and then sat down again.
What followed was a series of questions about the incident and the destruction of the Linta-System.
SunTzu kept his straight face no matter if he was asked if the Princess of Linta, Anniten Alesima, had been his girlfriend, if he had been tortured or if he had used the Resonance Torpedoes on board Anniten's Super Star Destroyer to make Linta's sun go supernova. The only time he almost lost his composure was when he was asked about if he had feelings for Anniten. One of the prosecutors, there were three, a sleazy looking Major from the Advocate Corps, with a bunch of medals on his chest, none of them combat earned, wanted to go further into detail but was stopped by the Chief of State as Head of the Trial. SunTzu thanked her for the gesture of respect with a nod.
After around one and a half hours the questions all had been answered, SunTzu had answered all of them honestly. Most of the attending officers, as well as some of the Jedi and Sailor Pluto, pitied SunTzu and even found parts of the interrogation at least questionable, if not plain offensive. Especially given the fact, that everybody in here knew that the four factions already had taken their judgement.
The first to speak for his faction was the Head of the Senate, Kashyyyk's own Marrithraar. SunTzu and him know each other fleetingly from back when SunTzu had been with Rei, they had exchanged a few words at some events sometimes.
C3-PO, the Chief of State's protocol droid, translated for the Wookiee.
The Senate's verdict was what SunTzu had been expecting. He felt bad for it, not even necessarily for himself, he just hoped that it would neither affect Rei's career nor that she felt bad about her profession now. He somehow jus knew she had given her all to affect the judgement of the Senate but she was just too fresh and Earth not influential enough to change the outcome for him.
Setsuna had been expecting the same as SunTzu from the Senate, nonetheless she flinched for the fracture of a second. And then, her neutral face turning completely into the Ice Queen's signature stare, she secretly began to eye the exits and potential covers.
Through dozens of the Armed Force's offices and a whole fleet above the Senate sentences like "Kriff the Senate!" could be heard and now the first ships in the fleet around the Far Side began to activate shields and weapon systems as well. Hangars were opened, pilots boarded their fighters and live ammo began to be issued.
The opposite side completely matched the behavior and also the first target acquisition systems of the ground based anti-space weapons, huge turbolasers, ion-cannons and high-velocity canons, were activated.
A secured tactical channel had been arranged in the Pro-SunTzu Fleet and right now Captain Kral Nevil, the Prince of Jar, Captain Vulaa Sidem and the Star Sheriff's were splitting up command of defensive sectors around the Far Side.
To everyone's surprise a certain Information Dealer, who of course wouldn't tell his name, had found his way into the secured channel as well and offered live updates on the state of the planetary defense systems. For free as it was for a friend he let the allies of SunTzu know.
Reports came in that more and more ships and military units, although not heading for Coruscant, showed their sympathy for the impeached Fighter Ace and began to vocally express their critic on the System's local security forces.
Hadn't she been so angered by the Senate, and who was she lying to, seeing it as her personal loss, that she couldn't rally the majority of the Senate to get behind SunTzu, Rei would have been moved by the amount of sympathy and support her ex-boyfriend got from all over the Galaxy.
But she was too busy being angered and cursing at the Senate in the moment. Smoke was rising up from her while Yuichiro and Minako tried to calm her down and recommended to have another cigarette to relax.
SunTzu had only half listened to Marrithraar and his explanation why the Senate was for the punishment of SunTzu and how many Senators had voted for and against SunTzu's conviction.
The military would surely find him not guilty, after all he destroyed a huge enemy fleet and millions of enemy assets. The top brass didn't have to live with the guilt to have ended millions of souls, enemy or not, this was SunTzu's guilt to bear, but just be content that thousands of own troops had been saved by destroying the enemy fleet and Super Star Destroyer. He had even made out some of the officers attending the trial on the tribune, nodding towards him in support, among them were some of the highest officers in the Armed Forces like General Cracken.
A spark of hope lighted up in him.
Admiral Nek Bwua'tu was up next and rose from his seat. He kept himself militarily short.
"Captain SunTzu, Galactic Federation of Free Alliances Starfighter Corps." The Commanding Officer of the Fourth Fleet addressed SunTzu. "After appraising all available facts, and after consultation with the Supreme Commander, the High Command of the Forces of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances had decided to abstain from any verdict. An acquittal or conviction is not in jurisdiction of the Armed Forces."
Whispers, murmuration and open discussions began to be heard.
A delegation of the military, among them General Cracken, even left the courtroom in protest, and only a sharply silence ordering Chief of State, her words emphasized by her father putting his hand next to his light saber, brought the room back to reason.
Setsuna had to swallow hard, this came unexpected and made things difficult. Various sources and even the reaction here, or in the sky above Coruscant, showed the sympathy the military had for SunTzu. With her ice cold stare she fixed Vader across the room. How could he, the one that had been responsible for the death of billions do that to SunTzu? With millennia-long combat experience she began to scan for any weaknesses in his armor. She wasn't afraid of the Man in the black Armor. He might have been the most powerful Force-user there was, but SHE still was the daughter of a God.
SunTzu felt like he had been thrown through a shop window. Or hit in the face by the fist of the Yuuzhan Vong's Warmaster's son. This is what he got for doing all these missions he had done? The killings he carried out for the Alliance? For saving of thousands of individuals? For the neutralization of the man that had killed Cal Omas? For becoming War and loosing his love and the home he had found?
He slowly began to really grasp the possibility that he wouldn't get to see tomorrow and his thoughts wandered to Rei again, he really hoped she wouldn't take it too personal, before the thoughts and fears wandered over to his other friends. A surge of guilt overcame him as he thought about that he might wouldn't be there to watch over his friends anymore, especially over not seeing Hotaru anymore, poor kid that he somehow meant something too. He didn't want to make her suffer because of him.
He had to think about the Forces, all those young individuals, most of them still not much more than kids, and that there would not be any chance anymore he and AICA could show up all of a sudden and rescue a few of them, so these kids one day they could live in peace. Marvin, Gistess, all the comrades he had lost, even Anniten in her last moments, he'd never would get a chance to make their deaths count. He stole a small glance to Setsuna. She was sitting up straight, her eyes showing her trademark stare, directed at the Supreme Commander. He didn't know what she was thinking about but even in this dire moment he had to admire her grandeur.
I'm sorry Setsuna. Apart from running away the Galaxy finally will let me pay for being the monster I am. I wish I could have done more. I wish I could have been a better and more present role model for Hotaru…
Contrary to the court room, and battle ships and combat units all over and above Coruscant, the Control Center on the Far Side had fallen silent. Even Artemis was speechless from the military's decision.
Only one, single person was acting the opposite.
"What the hell is wrong with our military? Usagi, we have to get him out of there. Now! I will find a rule somewhere that will make his case the Sol System's issue."
"We can't Rei, not anymore. We would need to use force now and this would irreversibly destoy our ties with the Chief of State, the Jedi and the Alliance. You know that. Senator Hino."
"This is it, so? We make him a tool, a weapon, we break him until he's a mere asset, Personified War and then we just leave him to die!? Is that how we do now, Usagi!? He would have died for anyone of us and believe when I say he even did so for me one time. And that is how we thank him? Leaving him on his own in his darkest hour? This is how you do your First Knight now, your Majesty? I for my part am at least aware that it's also my fault that he is in this situation and I will help him! You wanted me to fight again and then you don't allow us to safe the one that always was fighting for us? The great Sailor Moon, the benign Neo Queen Serenity, who always had mercy for her enemies abandons her First Knight, just like that?" Smoke began to rise from Rei and not even Minako or Yuichiro dared to trie to calm her down anymore in the anger she was showing.
"By the gods, I have to leave this room, you disgust me too much right now. With or without your order, I'll get him out there!" Rei spat out and turned around, storming out of the room. Yuichiro nodded a last time at the Royals and then followed his girlfriend.
Yuichiro wasn't jealous, quite the contrary, her passion and her determination to stand up for the people she cared for reminded him why he loved her so much. And Rei was right, like he had told her earlier, him and SunTzu probably would never get along but executing the German for destroying the enemy was plain wrong.
To quieten down the court again a small break was scheduled. SunTzu even was brought back into the small waiting area he had been put in when he had arrived.
Setsuna on the other side kept stoically sitting, even when Master Durron had excused himself for a moment.
The break was scheduled for just a few moments and soon the trial continued, while above the Palace the situation had come to a point where it could escalate any minute. The rumors had been true, Grand Admiral Pellaeon was on his way to intervene between both fleets, if someone had the authority to do so, other than Darth Vader who was in the court of course, it was the Imperial Remnant's leader.
Another ship, a Mandal Hypernautics Crusader-Class Corvette, had joined up the fleet around the Far Side. The Captain of the smaller capital ship bid his greetings and then delivered a greeting from a Senator which he couldn't openly name, but the greeting told that the advanced point defense of the modified corvette would protect the Far Side, just as the Sailor Senshi had done with the unnamed Senator's family. In the Control Room Usagi and Mamoru had understood whom just had sided with them and wished Rei would have heard it as well.
The closest opposing units of both fleets were Kyp's Dozen, and parts of Twin Suns Squadron. Jaina's half of the Squadron had decided to enforce order under rule of her mother, the other half, the Chiss half, had been grounded by Jagged Fel, as both CEDF and Empire of the Hand units had been ordered by their high commands to stand down and not engage against Taskforce Sol.
So now Jaina and half her squadron were in real possibility to get entangled into dogfights with the Squadron of her old master.
Back in the courtroom SunTzu still didn't had any idea that his trial might could even lead to a new Galactic Civil War, on top of the ongoing Shadow War. Behind closed doors, for example in the office of a certain high-ranking GAIS Officer, people were asking themselves if the heads of the Galactic Government weren't aware of this. What the Kriff was going on with the Chief of State and the Supreme Commander?
SunTzu sat down again, next up would be the Jedi, Grandmaster Skywalker himself speaking for them.
SunTzu tried to concentrate to follow the wise Jedi Master's words but ever since the military had more or less withdrawn their official support for him he couldn't think about anything about his execution. And the effects it would have on his friends. Hoping that AICA was with Hotaru he briefly thought about that some of them might were planning to get him out. Was Sailor Pluto here for that?
While Luke finished his summation, he had been speaking about guilt, atonement and necessity in dire situations, all in all it had been a great statement if one would have listened to it, SunTzu glanced over to Setsuna again. She was following the words of Grandmaster Skywalker and for a second SunTzu thought he should be doing the same but instead he kept looking at Sailor Pluto, thinking about if he would have a moment to apologize to her for everything he had done wrong.
Having the feeling to be observed, Sailor Pluto turned her head and her and SunTzu's gazes met for a second before the latter turned his head away fitfully.
While SunTzu tried not to blush and desperately tried to act like he was following Luke Skywalkers words he couldn't see that Setsuna had problems keeping her Ice Queen demeanor up as well and for the smallest of moments her glare had turned into that distinct look of longing and sadness SunTzu had seen a few times before, not that he noticed now.
Sailor Pluto was trying hard to come up with an escape plan, SunTzu looking at her briefly probably meant that he was searching her to help to not die today.
A portal to teleport both of them out was out of the question, she couldn't produce one in time before the security personnel would be on her, not to mention the Jedi. Would the survival of the Man of the Prophecy legitimate her to stop time? And would it help against such powerful Force-Users like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker?
As Luke finished his statement some of the attendants even applauded and the First of the New Jedi Order motioned the court to calm down before he was ready to state the Jedi's sentence.
SunTzu and Kyp Durron exchanged a look, If someone could understand SunTzu than it was Kyp. He hoped that the Jedi Order would not forget that they had given him a second chance back then as well. And he know SunTzu was the last one who wouldn't work his ass off for reparation. Not to mention what heroic deeds he had already done.
In the meantime Rei, who had transformed on the way, and Yuichiro had arrived at the hangar of the Far Side. She still was furious, what did they all thought? SunTzu had done so much. Even at his lowest points he had fought for this Galaxy. He even had given up on their relationship. For this? This was the thank you he got? Even if she had to go alone, she would make sure he would survive. And if she had to burn her way through to him.
Although most of the ground forces and most of Terra Squadron were on Earth, the hangar was full with supporters of SunTzu. The single platoon of regular troopers aboard was listening to Major Bernard giving out orders where the squads of the unit should be stationed onboard to defend the ship from any boarding attempts. Commando Team 3 was also attending the briefing, as they would support the defensive measures. The Queen had permitted offensive actions but the King had allowed to take some defensive measures just in case, a few minutes ago. Next to them, Bob, the head of the armory, was heavily and loudly arguing with the Royal Guard, which tried to get the other Commandos and the pilots out of the hangar.
In the middle of the huge room, Karlena and her mechanics were also in a heated discussion with the Guard, as she tried to convince the Guardists to leave her area of responsibility. Next to her was a holo projector that showed the trial. The mechanics had installed speakers around the hangar that broadcasted the trial audible to anyone inside.
Sailor Jupiter was in midst of the other two Commando Teams, waiting next to the Assault Transport and a Larty. All of the Commandos were armed to the teeth and very obviously just waiting to go in.
Haruka and the two pilots of Terra that were onboard were inside their snub's cockpits, also ready to go. Michiru was looking out of the Voyager's top hatch and having a close look on the doings of the guardists that had taken position next to the ships in the hangar.
Hotaru, or rather Sailor Saturn, was giving her best death stare, Silence Glaive raised straight in her arm, to a pair of guardists, armed with an Ion Blaster, that had positioned themselves next to AICA. The two Royal Guards were already intimidated enough, although they didn't even know, that before they would even had raised the weapon AICA would had them taken out with her self defense blaster, ready to be deployed in less than a second in her frame. Of course she would have just stunned them. The AI would definitely not stand around while her pilot would get executed. She had calculated everything a few thousand times but according to machine logic, and the data she had gotten from Ada and Ami, SunTzu had done nothing wrong. The people on Linta had basically already been dead. And the Planet would highly probable been stripped off of any lifeform by turning it into a giant shipyard and armory factory also.
Although Sailor Saturn was guarding AICA she wouldn't use the A-Wing, just as they had planned. AICA would autonomously take care of point defense around the Gladiator-Class and Hotaru would get to Coruscant to get out both her mother and her superior.
The Voyager and the two Headhunters of Terra would escort the transport ships.
Sailor Mars and Yuichiro headed for the holo projector and Karlena and her greeted each other with a nod before the Senator and her boyfriend turned their attention to the projector.
A moment later Maria Santos and another medic appeared at Rei's side. They were also there to support any attempts to free SunTzu.
"Guys, Skywalker is done, he's about to state the Jedi's sentence." Karlena announced and the whole hangar, even the guards, scraped together around the projector.
"Adding all the facts up and also considering Captain SunTzu's deeds for the Alliance as well as never forgetting that I myself…," Luke looked at Kyp. "…and other members of the Council have done similar acts in the past, there is only one way the Jedi can judge."
With the last sentences SunTzu had taken heart again, the Jedi weren't without failure. It didn't need to come down to Kyp and Carida's destruction, Luke had killed a million of his enemies on the Death Star in one strike, was there a difference? SunTzu listened close to the Grandmaster's words.
"Since the Jedi and it's High Council are not without guilt of having done similar acts there is no way we could rule neutrally. Therefore the Jedi Order, just as the Armed Forces of the Alliance, abstains from a verdict."
Another mental sucker punch for SunTzu. He needed a moment afterwards to fully comprehend what this meant. Things had become very, very dark. Now it was completely up to the Chief of State.
Setsuna was up to protest in the second Luke Skywalker had ended his sentence.
The two Jedi in front of her, one of them High Council Member Kenth Hamner, immediately had their hands at their light sabers and were about to intervene to any action going out from the emerald-haired Senshi. Kyp Durron calmly got up and used his hand to motion her to sit down again as well as his fellow Jedi.
Loud discussions broke out and the four faction speakers and the catch poles tried to calm the courtroom down again.
Leon had turned away, like SunTzu with the Senshi he had sworn to serve and protect the Chief of State but it was hard to see his friend there. And he feared for the worst when it came to SunTzu.
On board the Far Side a gasp run through the hangar.
A few seconds later a radio message, received by AICA and put from her to the speakers in the hangar, was heard.
"Anakin Solo activating shields and weapons. Our Fighters are good to go."
And then more and more messages came in.
"Opposing fleet is fully activating systems."
"Ramrod is activating systems."
"Spirit of Ithor reports combat readiness."
Rei and Yuichiro took a glance at each other and the Priest nodded at the Senshi.
"Leia is from Alderaan." She stated, she didn't had to say more to make him understand what this meant for SunTzu's conviction.
"I'll accompany the Commandos." Yuichiro announced.
"Thank you, Yuichiro. Thank you for doing this for me."
"He can't be such a bad guy if you fell in love with him."
She leaned towards him and they kissed.
"I'll go with Saturn."
"I love you." He said and she gave him a last gentle smile before they parted.
While Rei walked towards AICA and Sailor Saturn, she transformed further into Cosmic Sailor Mars. Yuichiro in the meantime joined the Commandos and together with Sailor Jupiter they boarded the transport ships, while the crew members, mechanics and med personnel shielded them from the Royal Guards.
Sailor Mars stopped a few steps in front of Sailor Saturn, the teenager was waiting directly in front of the still closed hangar gate.
"You're not taking AICA?"
"I'll take the direct way and just slash my way through to the surface." She answered deadly serious.
"I'm with you." Rei turned to AICA. "No matter what happens we will get him out of there. I'll promise you this AICA."
"I got the maps of the Palace here and I'm on it to find a suitable LZ, Makoto."
"Copy, Ami. Can you maybe take out the electronic defensive systems in and around the Imperial Palace?" The tall brunette replied while she supervised the two teams of Commandos board the ships. In her time as Special Forces Captain she had learned one thing and that was, that no one gets left behind. And SunTzu had proven often enough that he was one of them. Now it was up to his comrades to eventually save him. She just hoped that they wouldn't need to fight. And if, that Usagi would finally clear them to get him out.
While her troops boarded, Makoto noticed that Yuichiro joined them and that he had his samurai sword with him, in a sheath on his hip. Ami answered over the Senshi Communicator in the meantime.
"Wait one and let me see if Ada can do something on the spot."
In the Imperial Palace, Ada had just opened a small, locked closet in her office room and was now handing out blasters to the two agents under her command.
"Mary, how good can you shoot?"
"She's a better shooter than me." Yumeko answered for her blonde friend.
"Good. Listen you two don't have to do that. But it's my fault as well that he's going through this and preventing his execution is the least I can do."
"I'm with you. He saved my life, time to repay this debt." Yumeko answered and Mary nodded approvingly.
Ada just had checked her blaster's clip when Ami called in.
On the Control Center near the Far Side's bridge the First of the Senshi had now also begun to beg her Queen to let the Taskforce intervene.
But Neo Queen Serenity persisted that a rescue mission was out of the question. Artemis and Mamoru followed the discussion quietly.
Finally Minako gave up and after a moment of cogitation she looked at her Queen with a firm face.
"Usagi, you are my noble Queen and my beloved sister and I don't trust in anyone's in this Galaxy's decisions more than yours, but I cannot sit here and do nothing while one of us will die. I love you but this time I cannot support your decisions. I'm sorry."
This said she turned around and walked away, heading for the room's door.
Artemis saw red, never would he have thought that the First of the Senshi, his close companion, would be illoyal her Queen.
"Sailor Venus, get back here! Hey! I'm talking to you! You come back here immediately Minako Aino! I'm ordering you to!" The commanding officer of the Taskforce yelled after Sailor Venus.
"Artemis, let her go. She is right. We can't let one of us die."
Artemis silenced and gazed at his Queen, her face showing worry. Endymion had taken Serenity's had and held onto it to show her his support while the sliding door of the room closed behind Sailor Venus. Usagi tried to force a smile at Mamoru but it didn't really work.
On Coruscant it had taken a few chaotic minutes until the courtyard had calmed down enough that the trial could continue. Or rather go to his final judgement.
Chief of State Princess Leia Organa-Solo of Alderaan was the last one to rule a sentence over SunTzu and her vote would be the one deciding, as the Chief of State she had the last word in a draw. If she would judge him innocent of his accusations SunTzu would live. If she would deem him guilty, or just refuse to rule a sentence like the Military and the Jedi, SunTzu was a dead man.
Everybody knew that.
SunTzu stared at the table in front of him, he had been in countless battles and almost had died so many times, on Pantolomin he had been more or less dead even, and on Tombstone it had been a miracle he had survived as well, but he never had to just look and watch. Or had the time think about how things would change. Who would stop the enemy now? Who would guard his friends from afar now? He felt another surge of guilt sweeping over him, with him gone Hotaru would take AICA and continue his work. She was an exceptionally warrior in every sense but for the sake of her soul he didn't want her to get into as much danger as he had been in. Or as broken as parts of him were after what he had seen and endured.
SunTzu closed his eyes and took a deep breather, he wouldn't go down as a broken man. He would take his judgement, no matter how it would be, upright. He opened his eyes again and straightened up.
Sailor Pluto noticed that Jedi Master Durron now also was taking glances at the doors and potential adversaries.
It lifted her spirits up, at least a bit, to see how many people apparently still believed in SunTzu and that she might would have some support if she really would need to extract him out of the Palace.
In another part of the Palace Ada just had told Ami that she hadn't been able to shut down the electronic safety measures of the Palace, they were just too well protected.
Standing upright, their blasters ready to go on Ada's desk, the three GAIS Agents waited for Leia Organa-Solo's judgement over SunTzu.
Ada lighted another cigarette and took a glance at Yumeko and Mary. While later seemed to be nervous, which was normal as she never had been in combat before, Yumeko seemed somehow to enjoy the whole show. Way too much, that was.
Around the Far Side starships of both sides began to maneuver into shooting positions, inside of the huge metallic behemoths squadrons of pilots in their snubs waiting to get the order to lift off.
In the hangar of the Far Side, Karlena was now arguing even louder with the guards. Not only because she was getting angrier by the minute that her boy might get killed by the very Alliance they had done so much for but also as distraction while one of her mechanics sneaked to the hangar gate's controls.
Haruka and Michiru as well as Odegana and Ritz were all sitting in their cockpits, ready to lift off. The Commandos, Yuichiro and Sailor Jupiter were waiting inside the transport ships also ready to go.
Cosmic Sailor Mars and a determined looking Super Sailor Saturn were waiting a few meters apart in the front of the gate, disposed to immediately, and literally, jump into combat.
Both were concentrating and while Hotaru's eyes sported a faint purple glimmer, smoke rose from Rei and around her a heat haze was visible.
The Chief of State got up from the table the heads of the judging factions were seated on.
"If the court would arise for the final judgement."
The whole room stood up and SunTzu's gaze was fixed on the Princess, his hands crossed in front of him.
"Captain SunTzu. As you know I am from Alderaan, a planet who was destroyed almost thirty nine years ago. The precursor of this government had to deal with numerous super weapons and I fought them for a great length of my life."
"Usagi?" Mamoru asked while his wife stoically looked at the holo broadcast, her face set in stone and her eyes having a distinct tone of sadness. Even Mamoru had begun to wonder if she just would watch how SunTzu might get executed. And the words of the Chief of State didn't sound promising.
But still Neo Queen Serenity didn't answer.
SunTzu swallowed hard, although envisaged, that wasn't the kind of introduction from the Chief of State he had hoped for.
"This trial went already longer than it should have been, as the judgements had been made before. As we all know. So I'll make it quick."
"MOM!" Jacen Solo interrupted his mother. "Think about what…"
"Be quiet Jacen or I'll have you escorted out." Leia admonished her son and then cleared her throat. "Anyways, Captain SunTzu, in my position as Chief of State, I judge you…"
The whole room, or rather, everybody that was listening in, from Ada's and Ami's office, over the bridges and control centers of the dozens of ships above Coruscant to the hangar of the Far Side piped down.
SunTzu was sending a last arrow prayer to the heavens, the Force, whatever there was.
"… Innocent."
SunTzu, basically having gotten ready to make his peace with God and the Force, just stood there with an open mouth for a moment.
A few meters next to him a Sailor Pluto secretly blinked a tear away while next to her Kyp Durron had jumped up from his seat and was joining in the applause that about half of the onlookers were giving.
Jacen Solo had run up to his mother so fast that even his grandfather was astounded. Leia stopped him a step in front of him, as he was about to hug her.
"Not here Jacen, show some composure my dear." She scolded him but with a small, motherly smile.
SunTzu first move after he had halfway processed that he was about to live on was to look at Setsuna and both shared a broad smile with each other as a huge load fell off from both of them.
Unknown to each other, each of them would have liked embrace the other in a neverending hug right now.
A movement catched SunTzu's eye and he looked to his front again, Darth Vader had stepped next to his table.
"Now it's time to work on your reparation, Captain." The mechanical voice of the Supreme Commander and former Sith Lord told him before Vader walked off and left the room.
In the meantime Leia walked over to Belindi Kalenda, the Director of Intelligence, who had been observing the trial from the tribune's first row.
"Director, I want you and Agent Wong in my office in ten minutes." And then Leia turned around to C3-PO, who was one step behind her. "3-PO, contact the Neo Queen of Sol. I wish to meet her in thirty minutes."
As if ordered on the minute Grand Admiral Pellaeon and a fleet of Star Destroyers waltzed into Coruscant's atmosphere and began to move in between the two opposing fleets over the Senate District.
A single modified TIE coming from Coruscant's surface was heading towards the Chimera, who was leading Pellaeon's fleet.
Offensive and defensive systems on both fleets were deactivated and both sides parted significantly to make room for the ships of the First Fleet.
On the Pro-SunTzu side people were cheering and celebrating the acquittal.
Neo Queen Serenity was in a tight hug with her husband, Captain Santos and Artemis high fived and inside the hangar it was almost like the War had been won.
People were lying in each other's arms, high fiving and fist bumping, smiles and relief on their faces.
Haruka and Michiru were celebrating with a boisterous make out session inside the Voyager, Rei first crushed a broad grinning Hotaru in a hug before she rushed over and did the same, coupled with a kiss vaguely similar to the sailor-kissing-woman-kiss in New York after World War 2 ended, with Yuichiro.
Karlena had her arms around two Royal Guards and told them that she was proud of them, doing their job even if they knew it was wrong.
Ami let out a big sigh, knocked three time on the plate of her table and then called Ada.
"The Chief of State owes me ten years of my life now. Although I feel I aged twenty years in the course of this trial." The other Intelligence Officer told Ami.
Mary was sitting at the opposite side of Ada's desk wondering what it was with that guy that people were cheering so much for his acquittal.
Yumeko had excused herself after she had asked Ada for an envelope, a pencil and a piece of paper. She seemed off, kind of ecstatic even.
Ada kept her talk with Ami short as she had to go up to the Chief of State's office.
After everybody had left the court room, SunTzu was about the be brought into a common room, escorted by the guards but without any restraints this time.
While on the way he came to a glass corridor and got a glimpse at one of the landing platforms and his heart jumped when he saw a well-known Tie Aggressor. The modified starfighter's pilot was in the ship's hatch and obviously arguing with the Palace's guard.
What SunTzu didn't know was, was that Haruka was arguing with the guards to accompany her Queen inside.
But the Guard had order to only let Neo Queen Serenity, who had told Haruka to fly her to the Imperial Palace immediately after being requested by the Chief of State, into the office of the Lady Organa-Solo.
In between guards, Haruka suddenly noticed SunTzu and threw up her fingers in a Victory-sign to her best friend.
SunTzu answered with the broadest of smiles and knocked with his fist against his chest before a guard urged him to move on. Nonetheless it had been great to see Haruka and he hoped he would see her upclose soon again. He missed her. And Michiru. And Hotaru. All of them, all of his friends.
Inside the common room, Officers of all ranks were already waiting and congratulated SunTzu, even General Cracken was among them.
"You should get a promotion and a commendation for taking out such a huge enemy fleet all on your own." The former starfighter ace told SunTzu. "The Armed Forces were with you. We all were surprised that the Supreme Commander intervened. But don't worry Captain, High Command will have a meeting with the Chief of State later, I will bring it up."
After these days he had been locked up it all was a bit much for SunTzu so he was glad that after approximately thirty minutes Master Durron appeared.
The Jedi gave his former protégé a firm tap on his shoulder and congratulated him.
"Master Skywalker wants to see you before you leave. Don't worry, everything is getting made ready so you can leave soon." And then he nudged SunTzu lightly in the ribs.
"There's someone waiting for you in that small garden nearby. Just down the corridor. I'll keep the officers busy here so get going."
SunTzu furrowed his brows, what did Kyp mean? Or whom?
SunTzu quietly excused himself while Kyp began to vocally tell stories from SunTzu's training to the officers in the room.
Leia just had said her goodbye to Ada and was now waiting for the next guest in her office in the tallest tower of the new Palace. Together with Director Kalenda she had received the Lieutenant Colonel.
"Greetings, Ada. And congratulations to the acquittal of your subordinate." Leia smiled at the spy.
"Director, if you'd be so kind and elucidate Lieutenant Colonel Wong why this trial was really held?"
Belinda Kalenda told Ada what really had been the reason for the open trial and why both Armed Forces and Jedi didn't ruled SunTzu unguilty. And what Leia hoped would happen now.
"Respect, Mistress Chief of State. You beat me at my own game."
"I wished after decades of war this Galaxy could finally concentrate on rebuilding and making the life for all it's inhabitants easier but you know that Chaos is a bigger threat to the Galaxy than everything before. That's why I am sure we both, the most part of the Forces and Intelligence Services, large parts of the Jedi and whole factions of the Alliance are behind of what we have to do to finally gain back momentum in this War. And I already know a Senator who is brave enough to finally bring the proper resolution in." Princess Leia further explained to the Intelligence Officer who also was the direct commander of SunTzu.
Ada began to smile. "I'm sure that particular Senator is literally burning to ream out the Senate."
Leia smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.
SunTzu remembered where he was, he was near Ada's office. Which meant the garden was the one he already had been quite so often.
Probably it would be Ada waiting there for him. She never would tell but she probably had been worried about him as well and probably needed a smoke now. But why had Master Durron's kind of telling him to get there been so weird?
SunTzu entered the garden inside the Palace on it's ground level. The lush green and colors of the flowers and plants in there were a stark contrast to all the duraconcrete he had seen lately. The air was fresher as inside the buildings he had been lately and as he had done his first step into the garden he closed his eyes and took a long breather before he moved on, and in this moment he really felt alive.
And then, after he moved past the first row of bushes, he saw her waiting.
She was standing in front of a large blossom, as large as SunTzu's hand and smelled the flower that had the same cherry color as her eyes in the sun.
SunTzu didn't know if she had noticed him yet but it was alright as his body suddenly failed to work in any other way as to stare at her.
It always had been her. She had patched him up and had been there when he had needed a shoulder. She had been there when Gistess had died and it had been her that took care that he hadn't been alone for Christmas. She had been there to share his pride of Hotaru becoming a pilot and even her bickering about him smoking had been well meant. She had always pushed him to be better. And she almost had been the last woman he ever would held in his arms in his life and he had to admit he couldn't have thought of someone better, not even Rei. He was there to protect them but she had saved him countless times. And he finally had a suspicion where he also had smelled that fragrance of her as well.
SunTzu had his eyes closed for far too long, he should have had thought about it in Washington already. Washington, where her beauty had matched Rei's. Back at Christmas, that gift, the time he had thinking about what to get her. How much he had enjoyed the dinner. How much it felt like a home, like being a family, back then. How hard he had been fighting with himself to not kiss her under that mistletoe. Finally it made click.
He had fallen for her.
And the rush he got by just staring at her now, his heart beating faster, his stomach full of butterflies, his brain having stopped to function properly because of her divine beauty, he had to admit it had been utterly and completely.
Sailor Pluto turned around, slowly letting the flower go with her gloved fingers, a small but genuine smile on her lips.
"Your trial caused quite the commotion, SunTzu." She motioned skywards with her head and when SunTzu looked up he saw that the sky was full of war ships.
He turned back to Setsuna with a questioning look on his face.
"At first it was just the Far Side but as we were not allowed to close onto Coruscant other ships joined us to defend the Far Side in case. And under Colonel Solo's order we descended onto Coruscant. The locals weren't too content about it but more and more ships and troops joined us. You have quite a lot of friends and loyal comrades out there, SunTzu."
SunTzu just looked at her, never would he have thought that, apart from the Taskforce, so many would show so much support for him.
And although he had talked so many times with her, hell he had even laid next to her, it was so forcedamned hard for him to talk to her right now.
When she noticed that he obviously was at a loss of words she smiled friendly at him. "I understand that everything is a bit overwhelming right now."
SunTzu still was thinking about what to tell her, when suddenly another visitor appeared in the garden.
"SunTzu! I was searching for you." Ada Wong yelled out as she laid her eyes on him. "We need to talk." Ada stepped up next to SunTzu. "Hello Sailor Pluto. I hope I don't interrupt you guys but I got a new job for our ace pilot." She grinned at SunTzu. "A bit away from the Core so he can quietly work on his redemption."
SunTzu looked at his superior.
"It's no problem Lieutenant Colonel Wong. I'm sure SunTzu is eager to get back into the fight again." And then she turned to SunTzu. "Neo Queen Serenity bids her greetings. I was told to let you know that we are waiting for you. I will let her know you're busy with what you're doing best."
SunTzu still couldn't think properly as the realization of his feelings still clouded his mind. For a moment he was about to ask if Setsuna would wait for him as well but he immediately after discarded the idea. This was Sailor Pluto after all and remembering her anger because he had left the Taskforce, and Hotaru, he was more than unsure if it was the right moment to ask.
"Goodbye then, SunTzu. I am glad you are a free and living man." Sailor Pluto began to create a portal with the Garnet Rod.
"Agent Wong." She nodded towards Ada who reciprocated the greeting and then entered the portal.
Back at the Far Side, after leaving the Portal in her quarters, Sailor Pluto blushed. She needed a moment, that's why she hadn't opened the portal to the hangar instead.
SunTzu's eyes looking at her somehow had made her nervous but not in a weird way, rather in that way that makes one's heart beat faster. It had been hard to keep her composure but now she began to grin from ear to ear. Troublemaker or not, at least he was free and alive and they didn't had to fight their way out.
Setsuna let out a deep breather, letting go of all the exertion.
I'll be waiting for you also. If you ever come back…
And then she grimaced and shook her head.
Argh… what am I thinking?! Lately I let my guard come down too much. Come on Setsuna, he's not the man he should be, don't fall for for him!
Ada and SunTzu didn't go back to Ada's office, AICA was inbound to land at the Palace any minute.
On the way Ada told SunTzu that the Chief of State hoped that her decision was the right one. And before he would ask, although he destroyed a huge enemy fleet alone, no, he still wouldn't get the Senatory Medal of Gallantry. She still had to keep his ego in check. SunTzu asked her then what had happened and what exactly had been going on with the ships over Coruscant and she explained the situation in detail to him.
Ada also told him, that Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs had been here to support him but had left almost immediately after the trial as there was enough to do for them in the New Frontier. She supposed it would be a good start to get back into the fight. And a good way to show people that he really worked on his redemption, although she told him that in her opinion he didn't need redemption. In her opinion he never did anything wrong, instead he had been done dirty. SunTzu thanked her but also told her that he still wanted to proof that he was more than a mass murderer.
Ada nodded in acknowledgment, but she didn't tell him, how proud hearing that made her. SunTzu really was on a good way to become not only what the Prophecy told but the kind of man they really needed to win.
Just as they arrived at a nearby landing platform, unfortunately not the one Haruka and the Voyager had landed on earlier, AICA sat down.
SunTzu noticed Yumeko and another young woman, a blonde, waiting there already.
They had just stepped onto the platform, when a voice stopped Ada and SunTzu.
"SunTzu?" The wise and friendly voice of Grandmaster Luke Skywalker came from behind and when they turned around, they saw Grandmaster Skywalker and Jedi Masters Durron and Cilghal standing behind them.
"I am sure you are relieved to be a free man again. I thought that you will get back into the fight."
"I feel I have to give back for the support. I heard what was going on and I want to show my gratitude."
"I hope you will stay on the Light Side on your path, SunTzu." Luke said and then put a hand into his robe. "Since you'll be at the frontline soon again, I think it's better you take this with you."
From his robe Luke produced the light saber which SunTzu constructed while at the Jedi Temple and offered it to SunTzu, who took it with gratitude.
"Thank you, Master Skywalker." SunTzu bowed and took the sword.
"I hope you haven't forgotten your training with a light saber. Although it's been quite some time." Kyp now chimed in and master and former protégé smiled at each other.
"Goodbye SunTzu." The two men shook hands and then SunTzu and Master Cilghal exchanged bows.
"May the Force be with you." Luke said as his goodbye and then SunTzu and Luke exchanged a bow as well before the Jedi turned around and left.
SunTzu took another glance at the light saber he had constructed before he stowed it into his jacket and he and Ada walked over to AICA, Yumeko and Mary.
"I think you haven't met before. Captain SunTzu, this is Mary Saotome." Ada introduced the young blonde woman to the pilot and Mary extended a hand to him.
"Nice to meet you. I'm the guy that apparently almost plunged the Galactic Alliance into another civil war on top of the already ongoing other war." He introduced himself with a wry grin and Mary had to smile too.
"Don't even try, Captain. You won't get far." Ada chimed in and she and SunTzu shared a glance and after a moment SunTzu nodded acknowledging.
"Nonetheless I'm delighted to meet the man I heard so much of." Mary spoke, her and SunTzu still shaking hands.
"Oh, I hope only good things." SunTzu smiled and then looked over to Yumeko who shot him a grin and a wink.
"Of course. I'm looking forward to a good cooperation." Mary replied and SunTzu and her nodded politely at each other.
"Mary and Yumeko will also support me and Ami in our little Spy Alliance." Ada explained. "Since the Senate dissolved Alpha Blue I guess it's up to us to effectively find out how to hit the enemy the hardest, even in unconventional ways."
"Count on me and AICA if you need someone to cause havoc. I have a few scores to settle." SunTzu stated with a firm voice.
"Exactly what I wanted to hear. Anyways, good hunting, we talk soon. I guess Yumeko wants to congratulate you to your freedom as well."
Yumeko had politely had stood back until now and Ada and Mary turned away to give the two former short time lovers a moment.
"Last but not least." SunTzu stated and opened his arms with a smile and Yumeko went in for a hug.
The black haired gambler kissed his cheek.
"I'm glad you are free and unharmed." She said and then her mouth wandered to his ear.
As professional gambler Yumeko had a superior power of observation and she noticed how often and with which facial expressions he had looked onto the tribune in the court room. And she knew who had been there. At least it was someone she could get behind to be defeated from.
"I know there's someone. Otherwise I would have asked you to stay a night longer on Coruscant."
SunTzu eye's moved to meet hers, his next words were honest and from the heart.
"In another life my dear."
Yumeko pulled away and both shared a genuine smile.
"Oh, I got something for you." She suddenly said and pulled out a letter in an envelope and for a moment SunTzu thought to have seen that certain sparkle in her eyes.
He gratefully took the letter, wondering what it was about.
"Open it, when you're alone." She shot him a wink and both locked eyes for a moment.
"Take care out there, Captain."
"I will. Thank you, Yumeko."
"A love letter? Are you guys up to something?" Ada asked with amusement in her voice as she saw the letter in SunTzu's hand, as she had turned around again.
"Guess I should get going before the boss gets too curious." SunTzu commented with a last grin to Yumeko and with this sentence AICA opened her canopy and SunTzu swung himself inside.
"Hello AICA." SunTzu greeted his loyal starfighter with a tender voice but AICA didn't answer. "Oh, c'mon you know I missed you."
It took a moment before the the AI replied, AICA seemed to be ambivalent if she should be nice with him or not.
"You just say that so I don't make a scene."
"Oh, AICA. You know you're my one and only. And trust me, I'm never going to visit any system without you anymore."
"Is that so?"
"You bet your shapely frame on that, Darling."
"Oh Darling, I missed you so, so much. You had me so worried! I almost started an attack run on an allied fleet because of your trial."
A hand petted over AICA's frame.
"What do we say, we get a burger somewhere and then jump to a place where we can have some action together and show the enemy who's the best snub pilot duo in the Galaxy?"
"Sounds wonderful. I'm ready to go to the end of the Galaxy with you."
SunTzu nodded as he activated the repulsors and SunTzu glanced out the now closed cockpit and gave the three female spies outside a two finger salute before he lifted AICA up from the ground.
Fourteen minutes, a huge wolved down burger, plenty of mutual lover's oaths with AICA and a hastily thrown on flight suit later, SunTzu and AICA were already in Hyperspace and on their way to the New Frontier.
SunTzu had the letter of Yumeko in his hands and opened it.
He took a note out of it and began to read it.
My dear Captain,
the gamble for your life and the whole continuation of the Galactic Alliance made me so damn horny I couldn't restrain myself anymore.
In the envelope is proof how wet and horny I was.
Let me know if you ever fall out of love again. Or you're in need of a good time.
Yumeko
Beside her name were kissing lips in the color of Yumeko's lipstick.
SunTzu blushed a deep shade of red when he pulled out the other two contents of the envelope.
One of them was a very explicit picture of Yumeko, which alone would have turned SunTzu red as a cherry alone, but the other was making him blush even more, as it was a very sensual red lace panty.
SunTzu made a phew sound.
God save you and your freaky ways, Yumeko Jabami…
With a huge grin SunTzu shook his head, what a year this had been. And although his mind was still occupied with how much he wanted to see Setsuna again, as fast as possible, he was just a man after all.
"AICA, do me a favor and switch into standby. I need some private time."