The sun had just vanished over the lake behind where the new flagship of Taskforce Sol had landed, when the four Guardians arrived back at the town they had defended earlier.
The area around the ships and the village was still bristiling with activity, but opposite from when they had left earlier, it now was busy with soldiers returning to embark again, rather than moving out on missions.
Gunships and transports were constantly shuttling personnel and equipment back to their home away from Earth, leaving and landing through one of the four large hangars on the ship's side.
Soldiers and vehicles were entering either through the huge main ramp under the fuselage of the star frigate or over the ramp that lead into one of the lateral hangars.
Sitting beside Sailor Mercury, who was busy doing work on her pocket supercomputer, SunTzu was reading about the new, greatly enlarged composition of the Taskforce, while the small vehicle they were sitting in, headed towards the huge ship.
Apart from the Eternal being the new flagship, able to carry more than three times the amount of troops the Far Side could, every other branch of the Taskforce had grown as well.
The Starstruck, rebuilt and modified into a small carrier, now carried the six Headhunters of Terra. The modified Corellian CR90M Corvette could also be used for special purposes like reconnaissance or special forces insertion and support.
The repaired and up-armed Far Side still housed starfighters, transports and ground troops, even more than before. The Taskforce had five new squadrons under it's command, some of the new pilots were from Crystal Tokyo and Earth, but most of them were volunteers from all over the Galaxy. Although not all the squadrons were at full strength of twelve spacecraft, Sol now had a decent fleet of snubs. The squadrons had been named after the moons of planets of the Sol System so apart from Terra Squadron on the Starstruck there were now the purple highlighted Dione Squadron, consisting of eight TIE-Scimitar Assault Bombers, the dark green colored Styx Squadron of six regular A-Wings, both squadrons stationed on the Far Side, a full squadron of light-green highlighted Series V E-Wings, making up Ganymed Squadron, which together with Triton Squadron, eight turquoise colored K-Wing Assault Starfighters, and the four orange E-Wings of Umbriel Squadron, were all housed on the Eternal. The E-Wings of Umbriel Squadron served a special purpose, as they weren't regular E-Wing Multi-Role-Starfighters but highly modified EE-Wings, meant specifically for supporting other assault craft against enemy defensive mechanisms in space and in the air. They took on the job of suppression of enemy defenses with specialized weapons, sensors and jammers. A single craft of them for example could completely jam the tracking sensors of an anti-fighter-corvette.
The moons of Mars were featured as well, as two UT-60H Support Craft, commonly better known as U-Wings, had been procured and were mostly meant for the insertion and extraction of Special Forces. Dubbed Phobos and Deimos the ships were colored in black and red, respectively black and purple, and SunTzu could have bet, that if the pinup versions of two certain Mikos, and Guardians of the Princess of Mars, had not already been painted on the ships it soon would have been be the case.
SunTzu read on about the strength of the Taskforce. The whole amount of transports had largely increased, the LAAT/is and the Gamma-Class Assault Transport stayed on the Far Side but the Eternal had gotten a dozen Dropship Transports, and while not as big and as well-armed as the Larties, the Dropships could carry 18 troopers, two fully armed squads so, with almost one and a half times the speed than the old craft.
Not to forget of course were the various other new shuttles, landing craft and vehicle transports as well.
Just as SunTzu was about to get to the new order of battle for the ground troops the vehicle stopped.
SunTzu looked over to the Humvee in front of them, Sailor Pluto and Sailor Saturn leaving their place in the back of the truck.
Next to him Ami, agile like a cat, swung herself out of the MZRZ they were sitting in and SunTzu finally put down his data pad and got out himself. Way less agile than the blunette though, and not only because pain of his locomotor system had already set in by now, caused by the fighting before.
A member of Royal Intelligence appeared at Sailor Mercury's side, a data pad in his hand, apparently he needed her.
In front of them Sailor Pluto had walked over to a group of combat medics and regular medical personnel and had begun to converse with them.
After a quick glance at her SunTzu looked up the large ramp that lead into the ship. He had been on board of Star Destroyers more than twice the length of the Eternal but in this moment, the ship appeared so huge, so intimidating, so full with so many peoples that could either judge him or he could become a danger for because his presence. Should he really enter? Was this the right place to stay? Something urged him to turn around and run away. Wait somewhere else until AICA was fixed and then take her and get far, far away.
Sailor Saturn was already on her way into the belly of the Proclamator, Silence Glaive in her hand, when she stopped after a few meters on the ramp and turned around.
"Are you coming?" She asked him, slightly puzzled while he wasn't behind her.
SunTzu looked up to her and then took a deep breather and walked onto the ramp.
Sailor Saturn told him that she would lead him to the hangar where AICA would be serviced first, Hangar 3, the rear hangar on the right.
After exciting the room where the ramp lead to, where most of the heavy vehicles were stowed, SunTzu even saw an A5 Juggernaut there. The A5 was the smaller brother of the A6-Version, which had been used prominently in the Clone Wars.
Sailor Saturn lead him through the huge room and into the next one. A few meters in at the next corridor she made a move with her hand, lifted the Silence Glaive up and then made it disappear. SunTzu made another mental note to one day find out how they were doing this but right now he was too occupied with trying to memorize the way from the main ramp to the hangar AICA was in. Why had every corridor on every KDY, Rendili or Sienar warship always had to look the damn same?
Saturn was keeping up quite the tempo and after the next blast door the two Guardians outpaced a whole squadron of troopers. SunTzu didn't know any of the soldiers.
"Lots of new guys, hm." He commented to his former charge.
"Yes, indeed. We sure built up our strength." She answered with a quick side glance.
A thought passed SunTzu, all this had to be incredibly expensive.
"Where did Crystal Tokyo suddenly get so much financial capital from?"
"Well you don't need to be the Chief Official of Crystal Tokyo to know about that. The new propulsion technology the University under Ryo-Sensei and the King was sold to basically every engine manufacturing plant on the planet. Also an immense plus on export goods."
And then she shot him another side glance and he swore there was a hint of sass in her facial expression.
"And I suppose you heard about the Volunteer-Forces-Bill."
"Yeah. I guess. Lots of people in the fleet were talking about it."
She was still looking at him, waiting for more.
After a moment of her staring at him and waiting for more he sighed and continued.
"Fine, i don't know much about it. It was passed in a… difficult time for me."
She shook her head with played indignation.
"SunTzu, SunTzu, SunTzu. Onee-chan pushes through one of the most important bills of the War and you don't know about it."
He replied with a questioning look and she chuckled.
"Really? Okay. The Volunteer-Forces-Bill was created as monetary incentive that Planetary and Sectorial Forces would join into the regular Fleet and fight on the front. And since the Taskforce makes up most of our solar system's extraterrestrial forces we cashed in proper."
SunTzu nodded, now he understood and Sailor Saturn continued.
"Rei brought that bill in into the Senate, backed by influential Senators from worlds like Mon Calamari and Sullust and also the Remnant's Senator."
"She really did that?"
Hotaru narrowed her eyes and made a gesture of disbelief.
"Of course she did. You know her."
It took a moment but then SunTzu nodded to himself. Like he always had known, even though she wasn't fighting at that moment she was doing her part.
"Here we are, Hangar 3." Sailor Saturn briefly stopped and motioned to the front where a large automatic door was, that opened with a loud whiz.
The two pilots entered the hangar and apart from three EE-Wings on the left side there was a marvelous looking, although not being able to safely fly at the moment, modified black A-Wing standing in the middle of the right side of the hangar. And behind it was the second most beautiful snub fighter SunTzu had ever seen, a TIE-Aggressor, modified as well.
"AICA is finally back where she is ought to be." A middle-aged female voice sounded off behind them and before SunTzu could turn around he already had a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it.
"You finally came back I heard." Karlena continued as SunTzu turned around to her. Next to him, Sailor Saturn's lips bent upwards and she side glanced at the other pilot.
"Karlena." SunTzu couldn't help but smile and soon found himself getting a bear hug from the female Devaronian, she almost lifted him up.
As soon as he was back at standing firm, her eyes narrowed.
"AICA said you did some pretty dangerous things today."
SunTzu's hand began to rub the back of his head as he tried to explain himself.
"I… I just wanted to help the Senshi, you know. I didn't know the enemy was that numerous…"
The Devaronian's expression made sure she wasn't buying his explanation.
"Anyways. AICA wasn't doing any better. Getting hit by an arrow." Karlena shook her head. "You two. Anyways, of course we'll take care of her, we got everything here we need. I'll make sure she'll get serviced asap."
And then she proudly pointed on her rank insignia.
"Can you believe it, they made a Sergeant Major out of me. I'm the highest mechanic in the whole Taskforce now."
Karlena, Hotaru and SunTzu talked a bit longer while in the meantime they walked over to AICA. When they arrived at the snub they quickly exchanged a few status updates with AICA and soon Karlena instructed a team of mechanics.
SunTzu was already waiting for Saturn to leave the room when another voice sounded off.
"Oi Jerry, you're not thinking about to leave this hangar without saying hello to me!"
SunTzu smiled as his eyes fell on Haruka in the open hatch of the Voyager.
As SunTzu walked up to the TIE, the tall blonde pulled off her gloves, heaved herself out of the hatch and climbed down over the Voyager's wings.
"Me and Michiru sure safed your sorry arse earlier." She mocked her best friend, making SunTzu nod his head in reaction of the mocking.
And then they did their special handshake again and Haruka pulled him in on his collar.
"Since AICA has to stay, I suppose we should see if we can find a place for you to stay."
Next to SunTzu Hotaru leaned in, hand over her mouth. "That's the closest Haruka-papa will ever get to tell you that she wants you to stay."
Both adults glanced at her.
"Oi, Little One. Stop mocking your papa." Haruka looked back at SunTzu, although she couldn't look him into the eyes. Nor could SunTzu look into hers.
"We should see a place for you to stay. You know…"
"…yeah, to get some rest until AICA is repaired and we can get going again."
Haruka pressed her lips together as she nodded after his words.
"Yeah. Now… shall we?"
Who would have thought that they would find a room directly next to Michiru and Haruka's and opposite of the Meiou's one, totally empty. Of course nobody expected a guest there.
SunTzu had brought some necessities and a spare uniform from AICA.
As soon as he had entered the room, which was a little bit bigger than the quarters on the Far Side, the girls had let him alone. To get acquainted to his new room.
A few minutes later, SunTzu had just left the shower, warm water felt so much better than a sonic shower, and was now sitting on the, admittedly, comfortable bed of the room, a towel around his waist.
Somehow it felt like in the past, familiar. He felt like home. And right now he didn't know if this was what it should feel like.
Of course, his best friends were just a door away. Hotaru was on the opposite side. As was Setsuna and the small thought to be so close to her, and staying so close to her, made his heart leap. But could he really stay here any longer? Or would he just bring danger to them, like he had for so many before. On the other hand, he had broken Abeloth's grip onto him, did the enemy still know where he was? And had April maybe been right and he really needed to be here? To get back home?
As he sat there thinking a vibration went through the ship and SunTzu instantly knew that the Eternal was lifting off. Until AICA was fixed he was bound to the ship, if he had wanted or not.
While he still pondered about if he had been right to stay on the ship until it left the planet it knocked on his door and a second later Haruka was standing in the opened door.
"Ever heard of privacy?" SunTzu asked her testily.
"I heard about the basic concept." She answered snarkily before she let him know to get dressed.
"Put on an uniform, the King and Artemis scheduled a debriefing and Endymion did let me know to bring you along."
SunTzu sighed overly dramatic, so much for just resting his sore body and racking his brain if he should stay or not.
He got up and walked over to where he had put his backpack with his things, took out a some fresh underwear and vanished in the bathroom, while Haruka sat down on his bed, looking at the door.
"We did a pretty good job today. All enemy attacks had been repelled." She said out loud so SunTzu could hear it.
SunTzu didn't answer, while he began to dress himself he just nodded to himself as answer.
A moment later he was out of the bathroom and took down his blue GAIS Uniform he had hung up. Not the olive one of the Taskforce, not the black one of the Starfighter Corps. Haruka shot him a look, noticing it, it made her lip twitch, she understood.
Still thinking he's not a part of the Taskforce anymore…
"Mate, It's definitely about time you come around, you definitely need more training with ol' Haruka to get that definition on your muscles back."
Again SunTzu didn't answer as he continued donning his uniform. He just shot her a glance.
The last time he had worn this uniform, he had put on his Distinguished Flying Medal with it, something he didn't need now, he wanted to stay under the radar. After putting on the whole service uniform the Bavarian rummaged in his backpack until he found an etui.
SunTzu took off the medal and opened the etui, it was equipped with a number lock. Haruka's eyes widened in surprise, she had been watching him, when she saw the second Bravery Medal.
"Blimey! You got another one of these?" She let out and came over.
SunTzu shrugged as he put his Flying Medal into it's place in the etui. "Got that for killing the guy that killed Cal Omas. Almost died in the process."
"I heard about that. Actually Setsuna told me that it had been really close. I have to admit that I was quite a bit worried back then."
"Uhm... thanks. Fortunately I was saved." He hadn't expected Haruka to so open talk about her worries about him.
And then, for a quick moment SunTzu stared in surprise which then turned to curiosity at Haruka, his head slightly tilted as he remembered something. "Setsuna had said that?"
"What? Yeah. Anyways, they should have given you the Medal of Gallantry."
SunTzu's head straightened up again and he shrugged once more. "Ada told me the Chief of State wanted to keep my ego in check. It is what it is."
"Your ego? What the fuck. I totally can't understand why someone would keep the ego of a warrior in check."
A few minutes later they left his room and soon were joined by the other Outers, who had been waiting down the corridor. As on the Far Side, there was a lounge-like area near the Senshi's quarters as well, this one even bigger than on the smaller Gladiator-Class.
Michiru had given him another firm hug as she finally saw him on board the ship. Michiru and Setsuna were in front, talking about the battle of today, while the other three where silently walking behind them, SunTzu flanked by both Hotaru and Haruka, he had to concentrate hard not to look at anyone, hiding the questioning look on his face. And to not look at Setsuna's rear side in her fitting, grey uniform pants.
The tactical command center of the Eternal was located in the middle of the bridge installation and as apparently similar, although bigger, to the one on the Far Side.
While the Senshi strolled into the room, SunTzu stayed next to the door, hiding from most of the eyes that now fell on the four Outer Senshi.
After noticing that SunTzu wasn't behind them anymore on their way to one of the front rows around the briefing table in the middle of the room, the Outer Family stopped and turned around, looking back at SunTzu.
He shook his head and motioned that he wouldn't get to the front with them. Haruka motioned him to join them but he declined again. Finally the blonde tomboy shrugged her shoulders and they walked up to the middle, sitting down next to the Inners at the front row of seat benches around the table and it's holo projector.
From where they were, the attendants in the front couldn't really see SunTzu next to the door.
As the command of the Taskforce gathered in the room, another rumble went through the ship as the six powerful ion engines of the Proclamator-Class were activated. This also meant that the ship had left behind Usk Peth 1138's atmosphere as the ion engines were only used in space, where their radioactive emissions didn't do any harm.
Most of the leadership of the Taskforce had already been here so soon after the Outers and SunTzu had arrived, the debriefing started.
The Royal Couple and Artemis commended the whole Force for their actions on Usk Peth 1138, but some actions stood out, first and foremost the neutralization of the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong forces in the area.
The upper third of his body had been turned to not much more than ash when he had been found near the position the Royals and the Inners had taken cover in and he could only be identified because of his ritual tattoos on his remaining body.
The attendants were applauding Rei, a surprised SunTzu included, and the Fighting Senator got up and bowed down as if she just had entertained the people in the room with a song, which partly was right as she and Minako began to intone Fire Water Burn.
Most of the younger attendants in the room sang along with the hook as well and two dozen people in the room could be heard with "We don't need no water let the Motherfucker burn, burn Motherfucker, burn."
SunTzu catched himself quietly singing along as well, being proud of Rei. Not only had she saved his life, she also had taken out a very competent and gruesome Warrior.
The briefing ended, SunTzu was thankful that his presence hadn't been brought up. He had been on the urge to leave the room and hide before anyone would see him, but then decided to wait for the Outers, as three of them had told him that they would give him a tour of the ship.
As people left SunTzu greeted a lot of his old friends. He shared the usual shit talking with the pilots of Terra and the Commandos immediately invited him over to their quarters for a drink.
"Don't worry, nobody minds if you sleep in the shower again." Rudy had joked with him.
That was over a year ago, people still remember that?
The Senshi came out last, as the Admiral and the Royal Couple, the Princess had not been attending as she was currently grounded, wanted to thank all the Senshi personally. They also had wanted to thank the First Knight but after noticing that it appeared he wasn't interested in being in the limelight, standing so far aside, they decided to not push him. They would thank him later personally.
The Inners left first, Ami thanking SunTzu again with a thankful smile, Makoto with a fist bump and a simple but honest "Thank you" and Minako with a bright smile and a peck on the cheek.
SunTzu was wiping his cheek, checking his hand for any lipstick traces when Rei crossed him, both shared a big smile, much to the jealousy of the man walking behind her.
"Hey Runaway, could you stop smiling at my girlfriend?" Yuichiro snapped at SunTzu.
SunTzu's smile immediately vanished and he straightened up, looking Yuichiro in the eyes.
"Shouldn't you have a vow of silence or something, Monk?"
Both men glared at each other, while Rei twitched, she hadn't expected the two men to get at each other, at least not that fast. The other Inners stopped and turned around as well.
"Why don't you make me shut up?" Yuichiro answered and took a step towards SunTzu who was shifting his weight into a combat stance.
Before something could happen Rei appeared in front of Yuichiro and Makoto in front of SunTzu, both squeezing themselves in between the men, effectively making sure they were separated.
"It's okay Yuichiro, SunTzu had a long day, I'm sure he didn't mean what he said." Rei tried to calm down her boyfriend. Behind her SunTzu was about to reply to that and dissent with Rei but the look that Makoto shot him, made him shut up.
Rei lead Yuichiro out of the room, while Makoto held SunTzu in place and quickly Ami got into between them as well.
Both men's glares clashed again and SunTzu could feel Makotos firm grip around his shoulders tighten.
Makoto let go of SunTzu after she was sure that Yuichiro and the rest were gone and in this moment the Outers appeared.
Usagi, supported by Setsuna and Michiru, had given Hotaru a motherly rundown as well, and the teenager had endured it in silence, knowing very well that her Haruka-Papa was smiling proudly after hearing again, how fearless, although Odango had called it reckless, her little one had striked out into the enemy formations.
"Ara, do we have a bad timing?" A dumbfounded Michiru asked when she saw that Makoto pulled her hands off SunTzu. Secretly she hoped that the Guardian of Jupiter had told the First Knight to stay in her own, firm words.
"The Captain and Yuichiro had a little dissent. But nothing happened."
"No shit?! Did you slosh him in the gobber then?"
"Haruka!"
Makoto and the Outers, sans their emerald-haired member, she had seemed to be quite displeased with SunTzu's altercation with Yuichiro and excused herself to the medbay, had dragged SunTzu to a nearby mess hall. Maybe dinner would make SunTzu less grumpy Michiru had said. He was like Haruka in this matter and got irritated easily when he was hungry, she had told.
At the bridge dinning hall SunTzu ran into more familiar faces, Tiffany and her crew had transferred over from the Far Side as well and were now serving their excellent food with friendly demeanor on board the new Flagship.
To SunTzu's absolute surprise there was another familiar face having dinner right now as well. Taego, the Shistavarian who once flew with Terra Squadron and almost had died that day Marvin had been killed over that nameless Archipel early in the War, was back as well. He had an prosthetic arm and a prosthetic leg and couldn't fly combat sorties anymore. But the tall wolf-man-looking alien had just gotten his new clearance, he would transfer over to the Far Side to serve as the Flight Commander on board the old flagship.
Michiru, Haruka and SunTzu were beyond delighted to see him back with the Taskforce, and to have someone else as Stinger Jordan on their net as Flight Commander, although the Commander would stay Flight Chief of the Taskforce and now command from the Eternal.
After saying their goodbyes the friends had dinner and for the first time while on board, SunTzu wasn't strained. In that moment it felt purely great to be back with the Taskforce, with his friends. In this small moment he didn't fear loss and somehow, with every familiar face he saw, the urge to immediately leave somehow grow smaller.
After dinner Makoto lead them to the quarters of the Commandos. The Special Forces of the Kingdom of Crystal Tokyo now had a new unit designation, a name they wore with pride.
Dubbed Serenity's Wolves now, the unit had also grown in size and now consisted of four teams, although Makoto did let him know, that there were plans for a fifth team. The Commandos were cleared for any mission a special forces unit could run, no matter if it was special or deep reconnaissance, direct action and counter-terrorism, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel or irregular warfare and foreign military help. Apart from that, every member of the elite unit, it's strength and abilities proven often enough in the Shadow War already, had been knighted and now served the title of Knight of Crystal Tokyo.
SunTzu had to say hello to a lot of people and received a lot of the banter military units were so well known for.
But the pilot couldn't lie, it felt good to be back under comrades he really knew. Although in the back of his mind it fed his fear, this were soldiers he knew, lay in battle with, shared rations with, suffered with and not some soldiers he never saw before, it was another moment of feeling like it was a homecoming.
Makoto stayed with the unit she lead, proudly calling them her Wolves. Before they left SunTzu learned that the love between the Senshi of Thunder and her commandos was still unbroken and they in turn referred to her as Wolfmother.
The three Outers showed SunTzu around some more and soon they reached the armory, where Bob the Armorer as the head of armory did his work. SunTzu quickly had a small chat with the friendly older NCO.
He asked him how things were and when Bob answered that it was like always, still not enough blaster for everyone but the guns from Earth were hitting hard enough, SunTzu knew everything was still going right in this department as well.
With a large round through the other hangars, the entrance to the quarters and the two other dining halls, the tour ended roughly one hour later and the tired guardians all went back to their rooms.
SunTzu had dodged any question about his staying, being it the subtle questions from Michiru or the one time Haruka asked point blank if he would stay onboard. SunTzu just had relegated that first of all AICA had to get fixed.
Of course it made him think about staying even more but while there was the wish to stay with his friends again, there also still was the fear of attracting danger. Or to become so himself.
What if the next Linta would be the Eternal? Or even the Earth?
No, his friends wouldn't let that happen, it was ironical, given how he had feelings for her and how many times she had medically treated him, but the german pilot was sure that if it would come to it, it would be Sailor Pluto that would stop him, ending his life.
To get his mind off of things, and avoid finding an answer, SunTzu decided to read further about the Taskforce's new order of battle, some straight objective numbers of weapons of war would probably tire him enough to fall asleep. Sitting on his bed he took the datapad from before and began to read.
The Taskforce might have had a new Flagship and new fighter squadrons, but it also had immensely grown in the numbers of it's ground troops as well.
Instead of one battalion, made up of three companies, it now had four battalions of infantry. The first one was still air- and spaceborn and earmarked to be deployed via the Dropships. Second battalion was still mechanized, but now had a complement of 35 ITTs, repulsor craft armored personal carriers, with two each in commanding and recovery variants. Together with the new S1a5 Firehawk Heavy Repulsortanks of the tank company, the old quartet of 2M-Saber tanks now served with the Palace Guard, it formed the bulk of the combined arms capabilities of the Taskforce. Because the vehicles were all repulsor propelled they were excellently suited for fast offensives. The combined arms regiment was completed with a battery of three MAVr A7 RC Sarissa, Repulsor Turbolaser Self Propelled Guns, being the fire and long range support. Of course the K-Wings and the TIE-Scimitar-Bombers would also fly Close Air Support for additional fire power to the Combined Arms Regiment.
The third battalion kept the role it had when it still had been a company and served further as light infantry, highly mobile but with heavy hitting infantry weapons. Currently it was not yet on it's authorized strength with being one company and two platoons of troopers less than the other battalions but the report told that more troops would follow soon. Apart from these three infantry battalions, a company of scout troops, equipped with speederbikes and light military vehicles from Earth were also stationed on the Eternal. To guard and protect the Royal Family a company of Royal Guards, also acting as in-between the regular troopers and the elite-commandos, as well as for military police purposes, was stationed onboard as well. The Guard had been enlarged as whole, with three more companies and various vehicles exclusively guarding Royal Tokyo and the Palace.
When it came to fire support the Taskforce wasn't lacking, as there were also HIMARS Multi Launch Rocket Systems onboard, capable of long range missile attacks, half a dozen FH-70 or Type 75 Field Howitzers, as they were designated in Japan, where the Taskforce had bought them from, four combined Anti-Air-Laser and Surface-to-Air-Missile-Walkers based on a small walker platform and the huge, although smaller as it's bigger Cousin A6, Juggernaut A5.
The Taskforce on top had two mobile shield generators, based repulsor vehicles at it's disposal on board the Eternal. The need for this had arisen after the shelling the Taskforce took in their offensive along Grand Admiral Pellaeon.
As everything in war would be nothing without support, a platoon each of Medics, with two specialized ITTs, and combat engineers, augmented with two armoured engineering repulsor vehicles based on the MAVr A7 Chassis, were also on the ship. And since everything came down to leadership, supply and electronics a Headquarters and Supplies company took care of the troops in the field. For this it relied on dozens of military vehicles from Earth as well as some repulsor ones. Lots of various vehicles from Earth were stored and used by the Taskforce through all units, ranging from Trucks to Humvees, MRAPs to small ATVs and MZRZs. SunTzu read that even two brandnew JLTV Mine Resistance Ambush Protected Vehicles with Javelin Anti-Tank-Missiles and 30mm Chainguns on a weapon station were at the Force's disposal. To his surprise even two AH64E Guardian Apaches were stored in the belly of the Eternal.
These units alone were a formidable force but that were just the troops and their equipment on the Eternal.
The fourth Infantry Batallion, Light Infantry as well, differed from it's sister units. While most of the other three units were made up of inhabitants of Crystal Tokyo as well as volunteers from all over the Earth and the occasional individual from off-planet, Fourth Batallion was made up of former inhabitants of the Planet of Rago, along with some refugees from other planets that had fallen into enemy hands, who wanted to fight back. The unit, dubbed the Rago Batallion, was stationed on the Far Side. It got it support from the two AV-7 Artillery Canon Walkers that were already on the Gladiator-Class, four T6B tracked tanks, introduced first for the New Republic's Armored Units, and last but not least the Mercury's Revenge, the AT-AT-Swimmer that Ami had so prominently used on Glee Anselm to end the oppression of the Kengal Company on the Nautolan population in parts of the planet.
The last part of military hardware for ground warfare of Taskforce Sol's ground forces, the whole formation being designated the Sol Brigade, were the two smaller AT-MP-Walkers and these were stored on the Starstruck to be used in special operations.
SunTzu wasn't any tired after reading the order of battle but rather surprised how large the Taskforce had grown. They had been a force to be reckoned with before, but now they really could make a difference.
And it also meant that the enemy, if he would attack them, would meet way more and stronger resistance. A point that favored staying as well. Or did it only mean more dead souls because SunTzu was around?
And so, as soon as he had finished his reading the Inner turmoil if he should stay or run began once more. SunTzu really wished to rest but his mind was keeping didn't let him.
Suddenly someone knocked on his door.
Maybe Haruka coming over for a drink. That probably would take his mind off of things.
To SunTzu's surprise it was Mamoru, dressed in sport clothes.
"Your Majesty." SunTzu greeted the King, taken aback that the regent was standing in front of his doors.
"SunTzu. Splendid, it looks like I didn't wake you up. I was thinking, that maybe you'd be interested in a small sword sparing match with me. I'm interested in seeing your skills with a blade."
It took SunTzu a moment of hesitation, after all he had fought a hard battle today and his body was aching. On the other side he wasn't able to sleep right now as well, his mind was just to occupied with the question if he should stay or if he should leave as soon as it was possible again.
"Uhm, yeah, sure. Just give me a moment."
Ten minutes later they were in one of the ship's training rooms, standing a few meters apart opposite of each other.
Instead of their real swords both had wooden training swords in their hands.
"You know SunTzu, I'm glad we finally were able to get together for that sword fight you still owe me." Mamoru said, tightening the grip on the hilt of the wooden weapon.
"I want you to go all in, don't hold back just because I'm the King of Crystal Tokyo."
"As you wish. Sire." SunTzu replied with a nod and took a fighting stance.
Cautiously they approached each other, not sure about the real fighting skill of the other. The first attack was started from Endymion, a quick slash aimed at the middle of SunTzu's body, which the German parried without any effort.
The King got some more distance in between his opponent again and both were going in circles, eying each other.
Again it was the King who attacked, this time more ferociously and faster but the attack was quickly parried again as well as another quick following strike.
Mamoru backed off again and the two men began to circle each other again.
And the third time it was again the Royal who attacked but even the quick combo with whom he attacked was blocked from SunTzu. Mamoru backed off again but he kept still in place then. SunTzu had no problems blocking his attacks but he didn't attack. Endymion knew why.
"You know SunTzu, I meant it as I said. Don't hold back."
Raising up his wooden blade the King of Crystal Tokyo launched himself at the First Knight of Crystal Tokyo, striking at him.
Both blades met centimeters away from the two men's faces and both fighters held against to break the stalemate.
"In all honesty, don't give me that. I know you're afraid to let go. But don't worry, I can take it."
SunTzu's answer was silence as the blades didn't really move back or forth in their stalemate.
"You know, I've been there before. Having done things I still regret. You have to let go and look forward. And trust in yourself to never do wrong again."
Endymion's teeth clenched together as they both still struggled to gain the upper hand. He looked his Knight deep in the eyes, seeing he was still holding back.
"Take your fear and your anger and turn it into an instrument to feed your strength, don't let it put you down. And then use it to do what you vowed to do!" Mamoru got loud and suddenly SunTzu answered with a yell and Mamoru got pushed back by the sheer strength of SunTzu.
He was finally using his whole strength and even had tapped into the Force and Mamoru began to grin satisfied as he called on his own powers. Now this fight finally had begun to be interesting.
"Good, and now show me how good the First Knight of Crystal Tokyo really is with a blade." Endymion teased SunTzu. But instead of a raged frontal attack SunTzu danced around the King and attacked from the flank in fluid motion.
"You know, your highness that I'm not the First Knight of the Kingdom anymore." Endymion and SunTzu traded attacks and parries.
"I heard from your other Knights that there are three other Grand Knights who took over my job and I'm pretty sure these three are doing a great job."
Wooden blades crossed again, faces merely apart.
"Sirs Furuhata, Kumada and Ruiz might be Grand Knights, but there is no other First Knight. Till today you are still the first to guard the Guardians." King Endymion replied and pushed SunTzu back, ending the blocking of his blade.
But he immediately had to jump back as SunTzu swung his blade horizontally with a lot of force.
Within seconds after Endymion dodged their blades clashed again.
"I see you understood what I wanted to say."
A series of ferocious attacks from both men followed, both trying to find an opening in the defense of the other.
"I did, but I don't know if it's really the more logical decision, especially given my vow." SunTzu replied as both got some distance between each other in again.
Mamoru looked at SunTzu for a moment before he raised his blade.
"Maybe it's not about logic here. Maybe it never was. But for being there for your friends." That said he hurled himself at SunTzu who also launched himself towards his opponent, both eager to finish this fight.
Bladed clashed repeatedly and were dodged or blocked and after a few strikes from both sides they finally locked blades again.
Mamoru grinned at SunTzu, he usually had such duels at peer-levek only with Haruka and he was enjoying it immensely. He wanted to say more but just as he had opened his mouth to speak SunTzu took away strength in holding against his place to close in and suddenly punched him hard In the face, making Mamoru tumble backwards.
SunTzu raised his sword for a last stab to end the mock fight but his determined face but all of a sudden he flinched and got down to a knee, holding the left side of his lower rib cage.
Mamoru had reacted fast as lighting and slashed at SunTzu, while still stumbling backwards, the wooden sword, hitting SunTzu in the ribs, harder than Mamoru wanted too.
Wiping with one hand over his lip, he had been right, SunTzu's punch had gave him a small cut on it, Endymion kneeled down next to SunTzu.
"SunTzu, that was one hell of a fight."
SunTzu couldn't answer, as the blow had pressed out all the air out of his lunges.
"Let me see that." The king continued and pulled SunTzu's hand away. With a questioningly look SunTzu looked at the sovereign. Mamoru shrugged.
"I studied a few semesters of medicine before I, you know, became King. Tell me where it hurts the most." The King told and began to sample his Knight's ribs. "Let me know how bad the pain is."
After a moment SunTzu flinched and answered through gritted teeth.
"Right there. It's pain but it's not as worse as the time Setsuna bruised my ribs." Mamoru nodded and shot him a sympathetic glance as he sampled some more to make sure that the rib wasn't broken.
"Why you didn't become a Doctor then. You know besides, being King."
Mamoru snorted and shrugged again.
"Usagi got pregnant at a different point of time than expected and Chibiusa got born, we were crowned and Crystal Tokyo was established. I didn't have the time anymore. The small amount of time a day that wasn't filled with my duties I wanted to spent with my wife and my daughter. In retrospective it's funny, we always knew Chibiusa would be born but in the end she still was kind of a happy accident. Hm, doesn't seem to be broken. Let's get up, I got some Bacta plasters in our quarters."
Mamoru helped SunTzu up and supported him.
"Think you can walk?"
SunTzu nodded, although he held his ribs it already got better again.
"Alright, then let's go. If the pain gets worse or you feel something unusual let me know, we'll head to the med bay."
Where Setsuna is? After I hit you in the face the first night I'm here? No, thank you…
"How is you're lip?"
Mamoru checked if it still was bleeding with his thumb.
"Ah, that's nothing, especially if you usually spare with Haruka. Don't mind that. Finally someone except Ruka that gave me a decent fight."
The two men arrived at the Royal Quarters, one floor above the Senshi's quarters again and very similar to the ones on the Far Side.
Quietly the two men entered but were surprised by Chibiusa, wearing pajamas and looking sleepy. The Neo-Queen In contrary kept sleeping it seemed.
"What happened to you two?" She asked after a half suppressed yawn, noticing that her father had a cut on his lip and SunTzu held his ribs.
Endymion motioned SunTzu to take a seat on the large sofa in the middle of the room.
"Just a small spare fight between two friends."