AN: Two chapters of one of the side stories of IBWFY will go up soon after this chapter over on AO3.
The sleek, dark-colored, arrow-sharped starfighter was almost invisible as it glided over the layers of clouds. Only the the light of the planet's two moons shone upon it as it was night time on this half of the planet and there were still one or two hours left until dawn.
A few hundred meters behind it's left flew another starfighter, a large, orange-highlighted double-seater E-Wing with a sortiment of different antennae and sensor pods sticking out from it's fuselage.
To the right of the black snub with it's broad dark-grey stripes flew a modified Y-Wing.
Both of the planet's moons were in full moon, giving the scenery an eerie glow glow as the clouds reflected their lights.
Under the layer of clouds lay the eastern hemisphere of the planet Haurgab in the Spirva Sector of the southern Mid Rim.
"Warlord, do you read my search radar pings?"
"Copy Umbriel Leader, we got them."
AICA and the EE-Wing of the Squadron Leader of their dedicated Anti-Air-Defence-Squadron exchanged sensor data over a secured data link while SunTzu let out an approving whistle. These EE-Wings-sensors were fantastic and almost as good as AICA's and the Voyager's sensor suit. The Artificial Intelligence and the other fighter's board computer exchanged passive sensors data they each had recieved, data of sensors searching for targets for the air defence sites a few hundred kilometers in front of them.
A rebellious grouping, having it's roots in the former CIS-groupings which had fought on the planet almost ninety years ago, had seized a large city and, even worse, an army base containing the equipment of an armored division of the local armed forces.
The seizure had taken place just a few days before the Taskforce had arrived in the Mid Rim and the Ninth Fleet, already busy with all the flashpoints in their Area of Operations, immediately sent their new reinforcements to end the annexation.
Two GAIS-Agents had been sent from Coruscant into the nearby city earlier to monitor the situation and now needed to be extracted as well. Team 1, in civilian disguise, had already arrived earlier that night in the city and had escorted the two agents out of the city and to a designated landing zone, which had been covered by some of the Taskforce's scouts, and now the Commandos were waiting for clear skies to extract their package.
"Umbriel Leader, I read an AESA- and an broadband-radar, check?"
"Affirmative Warlord, reading the same."
"Mistress Nine, how's the status on the primary targets?" SunTzu called in on the One-Seat-Reccce-Y-Wing to his right, flown by Hotaru.
"Targets are confirmed and ready to be illuminated, all systems green. Just waiting for the attack order."
"Warlord to Donjon, we're status green, awaiting orders."
"Copy, Warlord. Operation Double Moon is a go, you're cleared hot." Came the answer from the Command Center. "Double Moon. I say again, Double Moon."
A smile crept over SunTzu's face half of his head under his pilot helmet and the visor which projected data on it.
"Fucking Double Moon!" He affirmed and grabbed his joystick and throttle tighter.
AICA released a stream of magnesium flares while SunTzu accelerated and rolled her on her back, turning about and descending swiftly.
"Double Moon is go!" Captain Makoto Kino announced to the embarked commandos inside the assault transport as she came back from the cockpit and strapped herself in as well.
Around the assault transport the first wave of troopers, a company from First Battalion, boarded their drop ships inside one of the hangars of the Eternal.
From the Far Side, lying port side of the Eternal, the eight TIE-Scimitars of Dione Squadron disembarked and formed up, joined by Haruka and Michiru in their modified TIE-Aggressor as escort.
SunTzu and his trusty A-Wing broke through the low hanging clouds and raced towards the annexed base. Above the clouds Umbriel Leader and Hotaru followed within some distance.
AICA, after having been repaired, had also undergone tests right before the Taskforce had arrived in this Area of Operations with her ability to wear additional munitions on her wings and now was armed with two modified HARM-, High-Speed-Anti-Radiation-, Missiles on her small wings, one on each of them.
The EE-Wing and AICA both had a clear lock-up on the two enemy anti-aircraft-radars and although they probably would sense the active lock and be turned off, it was too late.
"Magnum AESA." SunTzu announced the launch of the first missile and a millisecond later the missile, visible in the dark only because of it's propulsion, raced away into the night.
A few seconds later the AESA-Radar's emission, which had gone full power after SunTzu had ejected flares and gone supersonic, had completely disappeared.
"Clear hit on AESA, Warlord." Hotaru came in over the tactical channel.
"Copy, on to the next. Magnum Broadband."
SunTzu launched the second HARM and then announced that he was out of Anti-Radiation-Missiles. "Warlord, Status Arizona."
"Copy, Umbriel engaging." From behind Umbriel Two and Three came rushing in, taking over the suppression of enemy air defense while SunTzu and AICA took course towards the seized base.
"Warlord, targets are lased." Hotaru radioed in again, stating that the targets SunTzu would attack next were locked in with the Laser Target System from her starfighter.
Just outside the city, which had partly also been seized by the rebels, inside a small strip of forest, the reconnaissance group as well as Team 1 and the two agents they had escorted were observing the horizon where the occupied army base lay. Most of them either laid in cover or were on their knees.
Inside the base there just had been two explosions and at least one place inside the base was emblazed with fire and smoke.
One of the agents, both of them being black-haired women, turned to the commando next to her.
"Sergeant Major, mind if I borrow your macrobinoculars?"
"Of course not Ma'am. Here you go. Enjoy the show." Rudy answered and passed the optical device he had just been looking through to the Intelligence Service Officer.
Something very fast was coming closer in the sky and before the Agent put the binoculars to her eyes she looked up where a black arrow releasing flames from it's backside pierced through the night in frantic speed and shot past over them.
A few seconds later a sonic boom was to be heard and then, just the blink of an eye later explosions followed, three regular ones and a second later it got almost as light as day for a millisecond before an absolutely huge fireball erupted and the shock wave of the explosion became visible.
"That was the ammo dump." Rudy commented dryly as the fireball rose into the sky, followed by secondary explosions and sparks.
"You got me a line to him, Sergeant Major?" The Senior Intelligence Officer asked the Leader of Team 1 and Rudy handed her a hand speaker microphone.
"Warlord, Pigs spent, back to standby." SunTzu announced that he had dropped all his bombs and was waiting for further orders. Behind him the three EE-Wings began their attack on the positions AICA had been shot at from.
"Good effect on target, Warlord. All targets destroyed." Hotaru came in again, as her Y-Wing's highly-sensitive optical sensors accessed the damage SunTzu had done to the targets he had dropped bombs on, two vehicle depots, a guard tower and the ammo dump. Neither Hotaru nor SunTzu talked about the two shoulder-fired missiles that had been shot at AICA and had been deflected by flares.
"Warlord, this is Femme Fatale, how copy?"
SunTzu's eyes widened when he recognized the voice of the woman that came in over his radio.
"Copy loud and clear. Where are you, Boss?"
"I'm half of the package the fine people of your Wolf-Pack secured. I guess I don't have to tell you who Gambler is."
SunTzu knew immediately who Callsign Gambler, the second GAIS-Agent, was, he had to smile because it was so obvious.
"And I'm waiting for my ride off this planet. Nice fireworks show you put up there."
"Wait one, Femme Fatale." SunTzu switched his comms channel to command.
"Warlord to Command, permission to CAP over the Exfil LZ?"
"Affirmative Warlord. ETA Dione Squadron, 60 seconds." Artemis allowed SunTzu to patrol over the extraction spot for the two agents and telling him that the Tie-Scimitars to further attack the rebels.
"Mistress Nine to Command. Closing up with Warlord to join his CAP." Hotaru came in as well, telling she would follow SunTzu and join his patrol.
The horizon now was looked like it was on fire as flames, secondary explosions as well as ammo that cooked off ravaged the occupied army base and the rebels who had seized the base began to blindly fire into the sky, not thinking about that this behavior gave away their positions.
Their fault was ruthlessly exploited by the incoming Tie-Scimitars, whose optical sensors showed them the groupings of enemy and one by one they dived out of the cloud layer, dropped bombs and then immediately rushed away again.
Fifteen minutes after the initial missiles launched by SunTzu and AICA, hundreds of rebels had already been killed.
Team 3 had arrived onboard on one of the Lambda-Shuttles at the Exfiltration Landing Zone, while at another flank of the city, covered by Terra Squadron the first regular ground forces of the Taskforce had landed and now advanced towards the city, with more reinforcements being on their way.
SunTzu and Hotaru escorted the shuttle away from the planet and back to the Eternal. As the shuttle entered one of the Hangars, both snubs veered off and got back into a waiting station near the combat zone.
A few minutes later SunTzu arrived a text message over the holo net, it was from an open access onboard the Far Side.
My dear Captain, thank you for watching over us. That was quite the spectacle. Maybe we can see each other later on on the Eternal.
XXX, Yumeko
SunTzu smiled to himself after he read the message, apparently, and thank the Force, the field work didn't had any influence on Yumeko's demeanor.
It sounded tempting to meet Yumeko later on, who knew, maybe she and Ada would even stay overnight on the Eternal but he wouldn't, and couldn't, take any such offers. Or do anything more than talk, not even flirt with her.
He really liked Yumeko, she was beautiful, intelligent, witty and fun to have around, not to mention a great lover, but he had fallen for someone else.
Yes, it seemed ever after their dance Setsuna had taken her distance from him, actually she had only once talked to him more than a few words after that morning, a few nights ago that was, she even had told him more stories from her live in Earth's history then and that's been all but that didn't change SunTzu's feelings for her.
Michiru had talked with him, the late morning after the night he broadcasted the Night Shift Show. The teal-haired had gently knocked on his door and she had been very, very cautious when he had opened the door but nonetheless she had immediately looked past him and into his bed before she asked surprised if SunTzu was alone. Of course he was, SunTzu had answered with an equally surprised look which had earned him a knowing nod from Michiru and she had told him that she knew that Setsuna had danced with him.
SunTzu had shown her a rather sad smile, informing her that Setsuna had ran away, telling him, that their dancing had been a mistake. SunTzu asked her if he had done something wrong, as Setsuna had actually seemed to enjoy their dance.
And then Michiru had put an arm on his shoulder and told him, that it wasn't easy for Setsuna to open up or even allow herself feelings for someone. Michiru hadn't went into any details but she made it clear that Setsuna had suffered immensely before. And apart from that SunTzu's departure had seemed to have affected her as well, and not in a good way. But not even Michiru, as her best friend and closest confidant, knew how much exactly, as Setsuna had kept everything to herself.
They had sat down on the edge of SunTzu's bed by then and Michiru had looked to the floor.
"Listen. When I saw you dance yesterday I saw how much you enjoyed her vicinity. I know you good enough to see that there's definitely feelings from your side involved. I haven't seen you enjoying dancing with someone that much since Rei, and you guys definitely look cute together, but there's a lot of trauma in Setsuna regarding her love life. I wouldn't say that she's a hopeless case but, and that's a big but, if she ever will commit herself again, she will need time."
SunTzu had thought a lot about Michiru's words, he wouldn't push Setsuna but he wouldn't give up on trying to make her fall for him as well. After all she had seemed to enjoy their dance. And she had been holding hands with him on Usk Peth, hadn't she? He definitely would try his best to win her over. She definitely was worth it. After all, she had been the one that always had looked out for him, even in his darkest moments.
SunTzu wouldn't give up, he just couldn't, as she just wouldn't get out of his head. Or his heart. Or his stomach.
Even before the latest attack mission his last thought had belonged to her, If he would do his job right, she wouldn't have more work at the med bay and maybe he then could try to find something where they could spent time together. Of course something which wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable. But he desperately needed to be near here, his heart longed for her.
It was the middle of the morning when SunTzu landed back at the Eternal.
On the ground Taskforce Sol, after a first successful push which had driven the rebels out of the base and out of most parts of the city, now had switched to a supportive role as local forces had taken over in force. Still heavy fighting was reported from several parts of the city.
A troop transport ship, carrying a light infantry brigade, former local security forces from Sullust and Eriadu, had appeared in the system and would now take over for a security mission from here.
AICA sat down and Hotaru sat down her craft almost in synchronization a few meters beside him.
"Good job, Darling." SunTzu praised his ship and let his hand gently glide over her frame.
"Ain't nothing better than to work with some friends. We sure lit that place up." AICA stated and SunTzu had to admit she was right. The liaison, even with the new guys, was on a whole nother level when it came to the two of them and the Taskforce. SunTzu smiled, apart from everything regarding Setsuna, there she was back in his thoughts again, there was no place he was as effective as within the Taskforce. And just after a few days this feeling of finally being home again had completely overtaken all the worries. And with capable comrades like here around him, he would make sure that his friends would be save.
SunTzu left AICA's cockpit and was about to walk up to Hotaru's Y-Wing when suddenly a young second lieutenant came up to him and told him to get to the Command Center asap.
SunTzu motioned to Hotaru that they would talk later.
A few minutes later, following the young officer, SunTzu, flight helmet under his arm, entered the Command Center.
Around the large, round table in the middle of the room were a bunch of people, among them the Royal Couple, Artemis and Makoto. And Ada, still in cargo pants and a thermo shirt, a bandolier of blaster clips over her chest.
They turned around when the door glided open and SunTzu entered behind the young officer that had brought him there.
Ada, Makoto and SunTzu had to suppress laughter when the young Lieutenant bowed down in front of the Royals, then saluted to Artemis and then turned around to SunTzu and saluted again, of course letting everyone know that he fulfilled his mission to get SunTzu to the bridge, while SunTzu greeted the attendants with a simple nod.
SunTzu watched the young man leave.
"I like him, good sense of duty." He said only half joking, after the door had closed again behind the young officer. "Anyways, you guys wanted to see me?"
"Indeed. Lieutenant Colonel Wong, would you be so kind? So to say as your last official task as his superior?" Mamoru began and turned to Ada.
"With pleasure, your Majesty." Ada answered and pulled out a document from her trousers' pockets.
"These are your transfer orders, signed by yours truly. You're officially back with Taskforce Sol." The Intelligence Officer began to smile. "I wouldn't have signed these for any other command. But we both know you belong here."
Her lips curled up as she said the last sentence and for moment, she and SunTzu looked each other in the eyes with mutual understanding before SunTzu nodded and she gave the papers to Artemis.
"He's all yours, Admiral." Ada stated and then turned to SunTzu again.
"I'm still responsible for you when it comes to the Chief of State. There will also be someone else joining the Taskforce. The Jedi decided to have a contact person with the Taskforce and to monitor you. Master Cilghal will arrive soon from Coruscant."
SunTzu nodded again, he understood this measure and even approved of it. A Jedi Healer wasn't the worst to have around also. Especially when you needed reasons to hit up the med bay without being injured or ill. Ada continued after a moment.
"Me and Yumeko will leave soon for Coruscant again. We will stay In contact."
"Where is Yumeko by the way?" SunTzu asked his former superior regarding his former partner.
"At a dinning hall nearby. She heard about the good, proper food here. I'm sure she wouldn't mind some company."
SunTzu glanced at the Royals and Artemis.
"If you don't mind…"
"Of course not." Usagi replied before he could finish the sentence. "You must be hungry after all this hours in the cockpit. I definitely would be"
Usagi shot SunTzu a broad grin and Mamoru nodded in acknowledgment as well.
"I'll let HR finish the paperwork." Artemis announced and showed his agreement as well.
"Bon appétit. I'll see you before we leave." Ada agreed as well and SunTzu excused himself with a bow and left the room, heading for the closest mess hall. Good thing he finally found himself around onboard the Eternal as he arrived just a few minutes afterwards.
The mess hall was pretty empty as SunTzu arrived there and he immediately spotted the dark-haired woman sitting on a small table.
Some of the force's members were curiosly eying the stranger, dressed in cargo pants and tank top, her windbreaker laying over the back of her chair, while she was eating.
She smiled when she noticed SunTzu and sat up in her chair.
The smile hadn't vanished when SunTzu appeared at her table.
"Hello Yumeko. Nice to see you."
"The feeling is mutual. Join me for lunch?"
"That was the plan."
Both smiled at each other and then she motioned to her food.
"Get the pasta, it's oh so good."
The spy and the pilot ate and updated each other about how things for were going for each other while doing so.
SunTzu was glad to see that Yumeko didn't have a combat low after the morning but instead was apparently in a good mood. Not anyone took a nightly extraction out of a contested combat zone like that.
"I heard you'll stay here. Ada said it's the best that you could decided to do."
"Probably. You know, I do feel at home here."
"Sounds good. Talking about home. Your quarter has a refresher?"
"Even hot water."
"Oh gods. Mind to let me take a shower there?" The agent leaned in to the pilot. "We could save some water if we both shower together." Yumeko stated with a mischievous smile.
Taking a shower with Yumeko, which would inevitably lead to more as he knew the both of them, sounded great, inviting, preferable. But SunTzu couldn't. Tempting as it was he had fallen for someone else and it just wouldn't be right trying to win Setsuna over one day while fucking around the other. Even if it was a great person as Yumeko was.
He cleared his throat before he looked in Yumeko's eyes.
"Listen, it's more than tempting and just a few weeks before I would have definitely agreed. But I cannot. Not anymore."
Yumeko began to smile again.
"A woman?" She immediately asked. She had seen it coming, his body language and demeanor were slightly different and as expert in reading these she had noticed it. "I'd imagine she must be quite outstanding then."
"She is. Intelligent, big hearted, a timeless beauty and so much more."
"I'm happy for you then."
"Uh… We're not a thing yet. I'm, uhhh, still working on that."
One of Yumeko's eyebrows shot up. "I guess she IS outstanding then."
Yumeko's lips curled up and she looked away for a second and then back at SunTzu, a warm, sympathetic look on her face.
"I hope you succeed in winning her over, I really do. You deserve it."
And then she leaned back on her chair, crossed her legs and shot him an amused smile. "And if she breaks your heart, I'll be there to remind you how nice life as a single is."
SunTzu had to smile at this.
"And now Captain, would you so kind to show me to your room? I still need a shower."
They left the dinning hall and went to SunTzu's quarters. After entering and handing her a towel Yumeko basically shoved SunTzu out of his own room.
"I'm pretty sure you have to check in with your ground crew. Why you don't do this now while I take my shower."
When SunTzu came back, Yumeko was already gone again, she had texted him that Ada had asked her to attend a meeting with Dr. Urawa.
A few hours later a shuttle arrived to take the two GAIS-Agents back to Coruscant. Apart from SunTzu and Ami, the Royal Couple was there to say goodbye as well.
SunTzu's change of command was now official and the pilot also had agreed with Artemis to change his official callsign back to SunTzu.
The small group said their goodbyes and after Yumeko had said her goodbye with a peck on SunTzu's cheek and whispering "Good luck winning that woman over." into his ear she vanished into the shuttle and Ada stepped in front of him and then she straightened up and saluted as last measure of transferring his command and SunTzu saluted back.
They ended their salute and grinned at each other. "This was fun, I love field work. But now I better get back before Leon gets even more worried about me. We stay in contact. Continue to do so well, SunTzu." And then she turned around and left as well.
While SunTzu watched the shuttle leave, the Neo-Queen told her husband to leave for the bridge without her and stepped over to SunTzu.
She had to smile when she looked at him in his olive-colored uniform with the Insignia of Taskforce Sol on it. Their lost guardian finally had returned home.
"SunTzu?" She stopped behind him and the pilot turned around.
"Your Majesty?" He looked at her, he had been pretty sure the Royals had left but instead only the King seemed to have done so.
"Care to escort me to my quarters?"
"It would be my pleasure your Majesty."
With a grin she hooked herself under his arm.
"Let's go then Lancelot."
The two left the hangar and began their way to the Royal Quarters.
After a few turns the Queen, still hooked in under his arm, asked SunTzu about his state.
"So, tell me, did you already settle onboard?"
"I guess I did. And I'm not gonna lie, it feels good to be home."
To his surprise she didn't smile up to his face when he looked at her, rather she was glancing off in the distance.
"I'm glad to hear this. It was about time you come back. Listen, I'm not gonna berate you but maybe things would have gone different."
SunTzu had to swallow hard while he was thinking about what to answer, the young monarch was right.
"Don't worry, you can work further on your redemption here. No, you have to. We all have to give our everything if we want to win this War."
"I guess I proved that I'm willing to do anything for this." SunTzu now stated dryly and made the Neo-Queen wheeze in response.
"Mamoru had to work his ass off to get the Chiss back on our side, they hate genocide. Not to mention the work Rei put in."
SunTzu looked at the floor for a moment. "I heard about that. I still have to thank Rei for that."
"It's good you two talk with each other again. Can I trust you to get along?"
"I guess. I don't know about me and Yuichiro tho."
SunTzu was honest with Usagi, there were some unuttered things between them but the real problem could become the tension between him and the monk.
"Please, please try to get along. For Rei's sake. She loves Yuichiro but you are still so important for her." Usagi closed her eyes and smiled when she remembered how agitated Rei had been at SunTzu's trial.
"Talking about women, what's going on between you and Setsuna-chan?" She asked him curiously and then immediately started to giggle when she noticed how he blushed.
"It's not what it looks like."
"And what is it then?"
"She… she doesn't seem to be interested in me."
For the next few steps taken none of them said a word.
"It's complicated. Setsuna has her reasons." Usagi finally broke the silence.
And then she stopped, took her hands off of him, took a step forward and turned around to face SunTzu.
"She experienced… things in her life that made her retreat into a shell. If you really have feelings for her, you have to be consistent, carefully getting her out of that wall she build around her heart. Trust me, she is worth it." And then her demeanor changed from serious into a wide grin. "If someone can manage that, it's you." She even winked at him.
Before SunTzu replied something he noticed they had arrived at her quarters.
"Here we are. By the way I heard your former trainee wants to see you. And right now she's at the med bay."
"Would you mind…"
"Go." Another wink and then SunTzu bowed his head and rushed away.
SunTzu arrived at the med bay and saw that Maria Santos was near the front desk.
"Hello Maria, have you seen Hotaru. And Setsuna?"
"They're in Doctor Meiou's office. I'll bring you there."
The nurse led SunTzu down the corridor before she stopped in front of a room and knocked before she opened after being told to come in.
"Doctor, Captain SunTzu is here for you and Hotaru."
Maria was a bit surprised as the Doctor looked at her in surprise for a moment.
"Uhm… send him in. Please."
Maria turned around and opened the door completely and motioned SunTzu to get in.
SunTzu thanked her with a nod and stepped inside, with Maria politely nodding to the Doctor and then leaving, closing the door behind her. Inside Setsuna was sitting in her office chair while Hotaru was sitting at the edge of her mother's desk. Both women were dressed in the same uniform that SunTzu was wearing, the Taskforce's official olive-colored service uniform.
"SunTzu. What can I do for you?" Setsuna asked, just a tad bit too fast to cover her surprise.
"Hello Setsuna." He said and stared at her for just a millisecond too long before he motioned to a suddenly grinning Hotaru.
"Actually I'm here because of Hotaru. The Neo-Queen told me you were looking for me."
The seventeen-year old got up from where she was sitting.
"Yes! I actually was. I was asking myself if I might could get a bit of flying with AICA in?"
SunTzu looked at Hotaru for a moment and then at Setsuna who nodded.
"She's all yours." He answered and the teenager began to grin widely.
"Thanks SunTzu. See you guys later! Why you two don't get a tea together in the meantime?" The teenager rushed towards the door.
As Hotaru had opened the door suddenly Haruka was standing in front of the other side.
"Little One?"
"Haruka-Papa?"
To her surprise Haruka found both Hotaru and SunTzu here.
"SunTzu! Even better. I came here to ask Setsuna if she might be up for some training but you're even better as partner."
It turned out that Haruka hadn't wanted to train in the gym but rather train some martial arts. Of course SunTzu wouldn't agree to any regular kick- and punching-based training fight but after a lengthy, loud and curse-filled discussion, and after Haruka had been attacking his pride as warrior, SunTzu had agreed to freestyle wrestling.
The two best friends were eagerly trying to settle who was better while Michiru looked on as referee. After a few minutes, neither Haruka nor SunTzu couldn't make the lead as soon as one got grabbed by the other he would free himself immediately and soon their fighting intensity had gone fierce and each one was now seriously out to beat the other. Both were sweating profoundly but still looking determined.
Michiru was glued to the fight and didn't notice Setsuna entering the room until the taller woman was next to her.
"Anyone won yet?" The older Senshi asked and Michiru shook her head.
"No, both are struggling to gain the upper hand." She said without gazing away.
Haruka and SunTzu were wearing shorts and SunTzu also a sleeveless basketball jersey while Haruka just wore a sports bra.
Right now the blonde tomboy tried to grab around SunTzu but he was dodging all her attempts.
For a moment Setsuna and Michiru looked on at the fight. Haruka had somehow managed to grab SunTzu and now both were struggling against each other on the mats on the floor.
"Ara!" SunTzu tried to pin Haruka down but she wouldn't let him. "I swear, I could look at this for hours. Their sweaty bodies clinged together, struggling to get on top of the other." Michiru stated in an ambiguous tone, earning herself a questioning look from Setsuna before the Emerald-haired looked back at the two fighters.
"This will end like always. They'll fight until one or both of them bleed and then tonight they'll drink together like there's no tomorrow. So typical for them. SunTzu really acts like he's the Neos Dionysus."
Michiru completely froze after hearing that, her eyes becoming wide. Had Setsuna just called SunTzu Neos Dionysus? Alone the usage of the name made Michiru question herself if Setsuna might had even deeper feelings for SunTzu than she ever had expected her to have.
But before she got to say anything an alarm tone rang through the ship and Artemis's voice boomed out the ship's speakers.
"All personnel be advised, the Taskforce will immediately jump further to the Eiattu system, an enemy carrier group just has fallen out of Hyperspace in the system."
Even SunTzu and Haruka had paused their fight to listen closely to the broadcast, as did the other two Senshi.
"Guess no drinking for these two tonight."
Michiru commented to Setsuna after the broadcast ended.
A few hours later the three capital ships of Taskforce Sol fell out of Hyperspace in the Eiattu System.
Two antique CIS-carriers, supported by three Munificent Frigates were located between Eiattu III and Eiattu IV and when the Taskforce arrived the first squadron of droid-fighters had just began an assault on the planetary based starfighters from the system's capital Eiattu VI, which had formed in a protective formation around the planet.
"Bet they're here to support that insurgency on Eiattu VI." Haruka commented from the pilot seat of the Voyager.
Over the course of the last few months an Insurgency, made up of old Imperials and their supporters, had formed on the planet which once had been under the rule of the youngest Imperial Moff ever, Leonia Tavira.
"Hey Hotaru-Chan, that old Moff and you pretty much shared the same hairstyle. Maybe if you cut them again, we can use that to our advantage. A bit of makeup to make your eyes bigger and voila."
"Haha. Mama, that woman is old as fuck now, nobody would buy that. And I like my longer hair way too much to cut it."
"Hotaru, language." SunTzu chimed in from AICA's backseat. Hotaru had been in space for just a few minutes before she had to turn around and get back to the Eternal when the alarm message came in. Of course SunTzu couldn't do otherwise than to offer her to fly this mission as pilot of AICA. After all it was Hotaru and, apart from the pilot talent she was, and her nerves of steel, it would have made her happy. How could he not?
Ensign Calpawn Riak, a young, male Calamari, one of the new crew members and part of Flight Control came in over the tactical radio channel.
"Voyager, Mistress 9, you're clear to go. Good luck!"
"Copy Control, off we are." Haruka declared and almost synchronized the modified TIE-Agressor and the black A-Wing lifted off and their pilots rushed them out of the hangar, right towards the incoming myriads of enemy droid starfighters.
"I read a whole squadron of Tri-Droids heading our way." AICA reported into the four pilot helmets.
"Oh this is going to be so much fun." Hotaru declared while she accelerated AICA further and the AI began to play music while more and more snubs disembarked from both the Taskforce's ships and the enemy ones.
"Feels like the good old times." Haruka added and sparked a smile from her gunner and her wingmen. Hotaru put AICA into a barrel roll and let off the first salvo of missiles making SunTzu call out with joy.
"It does. Hell yeah, we're back Baby!"