"Where are SunTzu and AICA?"

Sailor Neptune's words hung in the air and Ami got back on her headset.

"SunTzu?"

No answer, he was too far away for the radio connection.

While outside starfighters of the Taskforce began to circle the Kataian Ambassador and the first assault transport, loaded to the brim with several teams of Serenity's Wolves, made it's way to the Corvette, the tension on the bridge of the Corellian Corvette increased.

It had been agreed that SunTzu would follow them immediately after they had made the jump but even after a minute he and AICA hadn't followed.

"Get me immediately over to the Eternal. I'll get the Voyager and help him." Sailor Uranus demanded in a disgruntled manner.

"Haruka. Even if we get there as fast as we can, there's no way he would keep up that long against these odds." Michiru's words hit her girlfriend hard, the blonde's shoulders slumped down and her gaze went out of the window at the front again.

SunTzu and Onyx Leader rushed at each other but a second before they were in laser range, SunTzu threw AICA up and accelerated even more.

With the TIE-Avenger in hot pursuit he sped towards the Planetoid he had fallen out of Hyperspace earlier before.

Because of AICA's jamming the Tie couldn't get a lock on the A-Wing but he still shot his green lasers at his opponent and SunTzu had to jink like crazy to not get hit. Onyx Leader was one hell of a pilot.

Within a few seconds the two fast starfighters had disappeared behind the planetoid, invisible to the other Kataian Forces in the System.

SunTzu found what he had been looking for, a crater on the planetoid's backside, large enough for two starfighters and immediately decelerated AICA to a standstill, letting her hover two meters above the rock.

Let's see if Onyx Leader is really like what I think he is…

Onyx Leader swooped in as well and stayed hovering a few meters apart from AICA.

"All his systems are online."

"Turn down our weapons and shields."

"SunTzu?"

"Trust me, Darling."

"Well, at least we're dying together then."

SunTzu needed a moment to let that sink in before he spoke again.

"Open a secured short-range comms channel to his ship."

A second later the deep voice of the other pilot came in.

"SunTzu, you brought me here without attacking me. And apparently you don't have the intention to do so."

"And you let my friends escape. I guess we're both not interested in more blood shed." SunTzu waited a moment. "I'm sorry for your comrades who already died.

"We all know what we did sign up for. And I would be lying if I said killing Colonel Dir's own stormtroopers wouldn't make things easier on the Pride of Kataia."

I really might be right…

"I think I didn't introduce myself. I'm Captain SunTzu, Taskforce Sol, GFFA Starfighter Corps."

"Major Dashio Harpas, Kataian Self Defence Forces. No need to introduce yourself, Captain. Probably every starfighter jockey in the Galaxy knows your name nowadays."

"And right now you could be the one that could end me and the many exaggerated myths about me."

"I could."

A moment later AICA came in.

"He deactivated his shield and weapons."

SunTzu decided to be blunt. What did he had to loose, except his life of course?

"Kataia used to be a member of the Galactic Alliance. You even flew missions for it, what happened?"

A sigh from Major Harpas.

"It was before the GA's new war economy bills were introduced. Kataia wasn't much on the receiving end of subventions from the Galactic Goverment and you know how easily people are manipulated if their wealth is in danger. There was this man, Hyjom Vendro, a rich business magnate, he promised the people change. He got elected as our head of state a few months ago."

"And let me guess, there was change but not a good one."

"You're right. Within a month he basically had turned himself into an autocrat and cut the ties to the GA. And to secure his rule he formed his own special police. And to keep the military in check, he brought in Colonel Dir and his men to neutralize any opposition."

SunTzu needed a moment to respond. "And where do you stand? And the rest of the Kataian Military?"

"We swore an oath to protect and serve Kataia and it's democratic rights… but I'm not so sure if we're still serving Kataia."

"I see… is that the reason you let us go that easily?"

"Captain Lewis, Marvin. You have to know he was a friend of mine. How did he die?"

"He died over a planet which doesn't even has a name, just a designation. Against another veteran. This War seems to favor putting veterans and former comrades against each other."

"Until no one of us is left."

"And therefore no one who could really stand up for the oppressed."

A long pause followed before Major Harpas replied again.

"Even if we take the chance and take out Dir now, there's still Vendro and his myrmidons on Kataia. Yet the rest of the forces Dir brought. And we would need to bring the public on our side. Kataia's people are proud, they would never accept an interference from a foreign force."

SunTzu didn't need long to think about it.

"What if I can grant you the means to start a rebellion, a Coup? Knowledge, weapons and the funds."

"Who tells me I can trust you? I told you there are reasons Vendro came to power and you are with the Alliance."

"You allowed my friends and the woman that I love to retreat and to live. I owe a debt to you, from Officer to Officer and from one Snub Jockey to another Snub Jockey."

Harpas thought about it, leaving SunTzu in suspense for a long moment.

"Coltan Pedaw. He's the former presidential candidate and right now under house arrest. If we could free him, people would rally around him."

"I'll make sure you'll get everything you'll need for that, plus the help of two of the best advisers you can have. But are you sure the military will rally behind him as well?"

"They will, because of Captain Pedaw. Captain Unnistea Pedaw, the Captain of the Pride of Kataia. She is his daughter."

Through the Force SunTzu felt something within the Major when he spoke about her, another interesting fact.

"Very well. I have to go to back to the Taskforce to get help for your rebellion."

"Fine. I'll make sure you can leave, give me a moment. Don't keep me hanging Captain, on the grave of Marvin."

Harpas activated his systems again and left, flying back around the Planetoid.

A minute later AICA reported that the Gravity Well Generators had stopped working again and SunTzu immediately left and jumped into Hyperspace, the closeness to the Planetoid and AICA's stealth mode covering their tracks.

A few long minutes after being back in allied, uncontested Space, Eternal Sailor Moon and King Endymion stood next to each other close to the bridge's window, flanked by Sailor Neptune.

Sailor Uranus and Sailor Jupiter had left for the airlock.

All of a sudden the door to the bridge glided open and revealed the Senshi of Space and Time.

"Your Majesties, where is he?"

Sailor Moon shot her husband a small worried glance before both turned around.

"We have lost contact with him."

"I'm trying to configure the communication systems onboard to get back into contact with him. The Eternal can't reach him as well though." Sailor Mercury explained, only looking up for a brief moment before fully concentrating on her work at her working station again.

Sailor Pluto stepped next to Sailor Neptune and the teal-haired shared her best friend a sympathetic glance before they both turned back to the void outside again.

And then suddenly something dropped out of Hyperspace, almost completely black and arrowhead-shaped.

Immediately the two Outers shared a relieved look as did the rest of the room except for Ami, who immediately switched frequencies and contacted him.

"SunTzu. AICA."

"Ami, we need to talk asap. I'm heading for the Eternal. I also need the Royals, Artemis and Mako. It's important. Oh and bring the Captain and the XO of the Kataian Ambassador along as well."

SunTzu landed AICA onboard the Eternal and was swarmed from several other pilots and ground crew members. Word that SunTzu didn't made it back with the rest and had stayed back to fight an elite squadron of TIE-Avengers had already made it's way.

It took several minutes until he could move out of the hangar and when he did so the first flight from the Kataian Ambassador already had arrived on the Eternal as well.

Sailor Pluto took the assault shuttle back with the Royals, Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter, as well as the Captain and the First Officer of the Kataian Ambassador and four of the Wolves to guard the prisoners.

Sailor Jupiter, sitting next to the other tall Senshi, noticed that Sailor Pluto seemed to be quite nervous still, arms crossed, constantly glancing at the hangars of the Eternal, legs and feet fidgeting. She was looking at the hangars of the Eternal all the time.

Makoto leaned over to Setsuna.

"What's going on between the two of you?"

"Who do you mean?" Setsuna was a miserable liar sometimes.

"SunTzu. You guys sure act like an old married couple. First you two look like you're about to jump at each other's throat and now you look like you can't wait to get to the hangar to see him."

Setsuna's mouth opened but she needed a moment before she answered, her face showing shades of red.

"I… I'm definitely not going to the hangar to see him. His behavior was reckless and hotheaded once more. Just like onboard the Kataian Ambassador. Someone should scold him for his behavior."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't forget to invite me and Kenji to the wedding."

SunTzu had tons of questions to answer from his comrades. Like how he had survived those odds, how good the Avengers were and how he could come back, and he answered them although it was rather anticlimactic. After a few minutes AICA informed him, that the others were waiting for him at the Tactical Control Center.

Major Harpas and his squadron flew back to their mothership, he had reported that he had neutralized the threat but they couldn't stop the retreat of the Ambassador. Of course Dir threw another tantrum.

Captain Pedaw and two of the black-clad stormtroopers welcomed him at his landing spot, even before the other pilots of his squadron could come over.

The tall dark-haired woman had her hands crossed behind her back and didn't show any emotion at all. She didn't even saluted back when Harpas greeted her with a salute.

"Colonel Dir wants a detailed and personal report. He's waiting for you, Major."

"Affirmative, Ma'am." Harpas pulled down his helmet as the Captain had turned around already. "Captain, can I just go somewhere first. You know we were out there for quite a while, out with everything that doesn't belong here."

Captain Pedaw took a deep breather and stared at the starfighter pilot for a moment.

"Fine." She turned around to the two stormtroopers. "Troopers, make sure the elevator to the bridge is empty so we can leave immediately after the Major has done his deeds. If there will be any more things holding us up, I'll forget myself."

The ice-cold voice of the Captain made the stormtroopers immediately act out the order without even thinking about it. Probably a little bit of power games between the fighter squadron leader and the capital ship captain.

So while Harpas made his way to the door leading to closest restrooms the stormtroopers left the hangar.

Before leaving the hangar, Harpas exchanged a few words with one of his pilots and a ground crew member who had posted themselves next to it.

As he left through the door, the other pilot walked over to the squadron and the mechanic to the Captain.

SunTzu left the hangar and moved with fast steps to the elevators moving up to the bridge of the Proclamator. He had crossed a few corridors and was almost at the elevator when he suddenly ran into someone he hadn't expected.

She had been waiting for him, in front of the elevator, looking like she was standing guard in the ship-facing side corner of the corridor and SunTzu first thought was that she probably was stoically standing guard like this at the Space and Time Door as well. A sad thought and with this his last feeling of anger was washed away. Not that the high of resolving the situation near Kataia without any more blood share hadn't boosted his mood immensely, yet alone the prospect to help Kataia to fight against the iron grip of Chaos.

She looked at him with an expression of uncertainty in her eyes, untypical for her.

Was she afraid that he was still angry?

"SunTzu."

Both made a few steps towards the other and stopped right in front of each other.

"Are you… are you unharmed?"

The soft touch of her hand on his arm, eyes of a medical professional scanning him for any injuries.

"I'm fine." Their gazes met, there was no more anger in her eyes, just relief. "I… I didn't give in to my anger. I solved the situation without firing one shot."

A small, but proud smile appeared on her face while his puppy eyes melted her heart. All the uncertainty and fear about him in her were gone after a look in those green and brown eyes as her hand grabbed around the fabric of his flight suit on his forearm.

Another long gaze in each other's eyes and as it was the most normal thing in the Galaxy automatically both closed the difference between them more and more, their faces slowly moving closer together.

Suddenly the elevator opened and revealed Second Lieutenant Alphonse Tremblay.

"Ehhh, Captain. I was searching for you. Her Royal Majesties and the Admiral are waiting in the TCC for you."

Both, Setsuna and SunTzu stopped in their motion and closed their eyes. SunTzu let out a small wheeze while both lips' formed into a small, wry grin.

"I'm coming, Lieutenant." SunTzu said turning his gaze to Artemis's adjutant.

Setsuna patted his forearm again before she let go of him. She stood there motionless as SunTzu walked off to the elevator.

"Sets. Thank you for reminding me that there are other ways."

Just as he had entered the elevator, SunTzu had turned around again.

Both lovers that weren't shared another smile together before the elevator closed.

You truly make me better, Setsuna. Solving this without violence was for you…

As soon as the elevator was closed, Setsuna let out a deep-drawn sigh. That had been close, this damn troublemaker sure knew how to get under her skin.

She left the location as well, heading for the med bay, a bit of work sure would distract her from that immense longing to kiss his lips. Or choking him for being so reckless.

SunTzu arrived at the Control Center and stepped inside, Lieutenant Tremblay a step behind him.

SunTzu knew Tremblay well enough to stop a few steps in front of Artemis and let the Lieutenant do his report, that he brought him to the Admiral. This also gave SunTzu time to take a breather, had that just been real? No, he had to concentrate now, everything, even this, had to wait now.

Artemis dismissed the Lieutenant with a polite nod and then looked at SunTzu who straightened up before his commander.

Behind Artemis were the Royal Couple, the King in uniform now and the Queen, in her regular regal clothes, with Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter on their side, both in their uniforms as well.

A bit away stood the two officers from the Kataian Corvette, flanked by members of the Royal Guard.

Artemis had his arms crossed behind his back.

"You had us worried there for a moment, Captain." The others nodded in agreement.

"I apologize, that wasn't my intention."

Artemis nodded. "So, what's the important thing you wanted to talk about?"

"For once I didn't resort to violence. And now we need to help the commander of Onyx Squadron, an old friend of Marvin by the way, to overthrow a planetary government."

"Uhhh, this sounds like a job for us. Hey Ami, this will be fun. I'm sure the kids will love it."

Captain Pedaw and Major Harpas had arrived at the bridge of the Immobilizer-Cruiser. The Major saluted in front of the black-dressed Colonel, who didn't greet back.

"Report, Major Harpas. Why didn't you shoot at the Kataian Ambassador?"

"Sir, our own people are on that ship."

"And they are now in the hands of the enemy. If they are still alive, what I doubt." Dir looked at Captain Pedaw. "This whole operation was a disaster."

"Sir, at least I got that enemy pilot, SunTzu."

"Which is the most basic thing to do, especially for a pilot of your experience. But do tell me everything in detail."

While Harpas began to tell Dir a lie about how he and SunTzu had a hard dogfight against each other, Captain Pedaw posted herself next to her First Officer, while the Colonel closely listened to the story of the starfighter pilot.

"Daré, how many stormtroopers are left on the ship?"

"With these four here, twenty."

"Good, get everybody that you can assemble and head for the armory. Time to get the ship back under our full control."

SunTzu began to tell the people he had assembled what he had learned and what he had promised the Kataian officer.

Meanwhile Sailor Pluto had arrived back at the med bay. But her plan to plunge into work to take her mind off was cut off early. She had just entered the ward when one of the nurses at the reception waved her offer.

"Doctor Meiou, the results of the DNA-test you ordered are here. I put them on your desk."

SunTzu's briefing didn't take long and after a small conversation about the rough details, the two Kataians were questioned. They pretty much shared the opinion of Major Harpas and it seemed most of the regular forces of Kataia did. But there still were almost thousand men of Chaos's forces on Kataia, almost half of all of Kataia's ground forces and they were better equipped than the Kataians.

But Ami and Makoto were eager to help. Ami would immediately call up Ada and use funds from the Spy Alliance to finance the coupé d' etat. Artemis and Mamoru gave their okay to deploy Team 1 and Team 3 under Makoto's command as advisors and bodyguards for Ami and the team of Intelligence Agents which would accompany her. As liaison and mobile headquarters the Starstruck would fly into the Kataia System and position itself in a hidden place, along with Terra Squadron and the two U-Wings as complement. The Moon's Bounty, one of the Star Galleons of the Taskforce, would leave within a few hours to Eriadu and procure weapons for the uprising. Kataia was a proud nation and involvement from outside had to be kept to a minimum but the assistance the Taskforce could offer would definitely help.

Harpas had ended his very detailed report but after a small praise for destroying that damned enemy starfighter pilot, Dir came back to the loss of the Corvette and fell into another fit of rage. The snubfighter ace pilot stoically stood there without any movement on his face.

In contrast to that of Pedaw, who was standing in front of the bridge window and stared into the void instead of giving Dir's tirade the attention that pitiful man wanted so much, had a look of pure anger in her face. How big were the chances that he would just die of a heart attack because of all his yelling?

While Dir was in the midst of it, Daré came back and stopped next to her at the window.

"Please tell me we are ready."

"The men are on standby and waiting for the signal."

He turned to her halfways and handed her a small blaster pistol and before she took it, both shared a last glance at each other, both of them looking determined.

"Fifteen seconds after you leave the room."

As soon as Captain Pedaw had hidden the blaster inside her uniform Daré left the room again.

And then, fifteen seconds later the door to the bridge opened again and eight men in crew uniforms, apparently technicians entered the bridge.

The four stormtroopers, like most of Dir's forces mercenaries and former security forces members, visually scanned the eight crew members, four of them carrying a crate, for a moment as they left the crate near one of the working stations but then decided the men were no harm.

Dir only had stopped for a moment to take a glare at the crewers before he continued with his tirade, the stormtroopers had their gazes fixed back at Major Harpas.

The crewers opened the crate while Pedaw slowly walked up to Dir.

She looked at the crewers who nodded at her and then everything went down real quick. Simultaneously the crewers, the best shooters the ship's crew had and the Captain of the Pride draw weapons, she from her uniform, the other eighth from the crate and while the crewers used stun shots to take out the troopers, Captain Pedaw shot Colonel Dir in the head as she had walked up to his side.

"Thank god, I was about to either kill myself or choke him to death because of this endless tirade." Major Harpas thanked the Captain.

"The only one who gets to yell at you like that is me." The Captain announced with a half grin before she turned to Dir's corpse on the floor, the blaster hole between his ear and front of his face still smoking and then back to her crew. "Can someone please carry this piece of shit off of my bridge?"

After telling the nurse that she would be unavailable for some time, Setsuna went straight to her office and found the test result on her table. For a moment she stopped in front of the table and just stared at the paper. With trembling hands she conjured the Garnet Rod back into her arms and then took the paper, before she opened a portal. She wanted to be alone before she read the result.

The blink of an eye later she was directly in front of the Door of Space and Time and let the Garnet Rod disappear again. Her hands were shaking as she finally began to read the test result.

She knew the result, she always had, even before taking the sample, even before talking about it with the other Senshi. The uncanny resemblance on several facial features like the nose or SunTzu's eyebrows. The way his aura felt, the way he lead his soldiers, the way he celebrated life. Chronos, she even knew how this bloodline came to be. But when Sailor Pluto, timeless being and daughter of a god, read the result of the DNA test she felt her legs giving in and she was glad that the Door of Space and Time was behind her, while she tried hard to not give in to that dizzyness that was now spinning in her head. She had to support herself on the door's frame and then slowly slid down until she was sitting, legs sprawled out under her. Again she read the result, checked the data, looking for any indication that there had been a mistake while tears dwelled up in her eyes. And when she finally had to accept that the result was completely correct, she broke down, tears flowing freely.

The man she had loved above everything in all her millennia of being, that very man had been an ancestor of SunTzu.