After the regular Kataian Forces had established control over the Pride of Kataia, and had neutralized the Forces of the Herald of Chaos onboard the cruiser, Major Harpas and Captain Pedaw contacted AICA and the Kataian Ambassador.
Within one hour Taskforce Sol and the two Kataian ships met and the two officers were flown over to the Eternal and met with the leading element of Sol and Crystal Tokyo. Things were talked about in peace and official apologizes were given, from Kataia, or rather their new Liberation Front under the command of Captain Pedaw, for the attack on the Senshi and the Royals and from the Leadership of Taskforce Sol for the casualties inflicted while defending themselves.
The Neo Queen and the Senator of Sol both confirmed the legitimation of the rebellion and Rei promised to make things for a comeback to the Galactic Alliance as easy as possible for the former member system.
Twelve hours later the Pride of Kataia, flanked by the Kataian Ambassador and the Starstruck and with the Onyx Katains formed around the ships, jumped to its home system. The Starstruck had two teams of the Wolves, directly lead by Makoto, a tactical unit of the Intelligence service under the leadership of their Head of Service, Terra Squadron as well as a researcher and an engineer onboard, their all mission was to support the coupe, with the first task being covertly rescuing Coltan Pedaw, Captain Pedaw's father and former presidential candidate, from his house arrest.
SunTzu had been thinking about to join the mission but he was emotionally too exhausted to feel able to support an uprising. He had done good with setting things in motion for a coupe on Kataia without using further violence but the loss of his platoon still weighted heavy on him. Not to mention that since he had last met Setsuna she had officially taken leave with the assent of the Royals.
He hadn't seen her since then and he assumed it had something to do with them almost kissing. He just couldn't figure that woman out, not at all. And when the Neo Queen had broken the news that Setsuna took leave to her inner council she couldn't help but stare at SunTzu like she had seen a ghost.
While a small part of the Taskforce went to Kataia, the rest was split up. The Far Side and it's complement would stay at close to their current position and patrol further as well as give the Moon's Bounty escort while it was transporting weapons to Kataia. And the Gladiator-Class and the Rago-Batallion were also on standby if they would be needed as reinforcement on Kataia, just to make sure the own troops weren't completely without any backup.
The Eternal would head back to the Core Worlds, but not back to Sol. The Chief of State would be holding a reception in a couple of days and the Royal Family and the Senator of Sol were invited, and not only that, it had been communicated that apparently it was of highest importance that the Neo Queen would attend the festivities.
As was Captain SunTzu, distinguished war hero, who had rather spent his time trying to heal the scars on his soul at home. Or at least not to have to attend a ball with the upper zero point one percent of Coruscant, but he had been ordered to participate and order was order.
Two and a half days later the Eternal was docked to one of the naval bases above Coruscant and the crew, troops, pilots and other personnel, from the smallest-ranking shipmen to the Royal Family of Crystal Tokyo left the ship.
The Royals, the Head of Court and her husband and child, as well as the remaining Senshi along with Yuichiro and SunTzu were flown to the Senatorial District inside the Royal Shuttle.
Rei and Yuichiro had offered SunTzu a guest room but he excused himself and took a hotel room instead.
He had been thinking about to stay in the Ambassador's House as he really had liked his stays there but then decided against it. It would very probably remind him of Anniten and their time spent together there and mentally stricken as he already was, that wouldn't be the best idea.
In the end, and although he had been invited to stay in the same Hotel as the other Outers and the Royals, he had opted for a small luxurious hotel a bit further away from the center of the Senate District.
He needed some time alone, Haruka and Michiru didn't need to ask as they knew it was to grieve more in solitude and make up his mind, all the two Senshi hoped was that it would give his soul some healing. But apart from that Michiru, being one of the persons knowing why Setsuna had retreated to the Door of Space and Time, was pretty sure he would give his feelings for her a thorough thought as well. Lately it was inducing a headache for her, even the universe itself seemed to let Setsuna know who SunTzu was but still she couldn't make mind and feelings up. On the other side, Michiru had to be honest, knowing who SunTzu's ancestor was probably ripped up the old wounds in Setsuna's heart. Why things had to be so complicated for these two?
Since they were on Coruscant, Cilghal would stay at the Jedi-Temple. She also had ordered SunTzu to visit the temple as well. Of course, they wanted to see if all the events in the last time had an effect on him.
At least it was Master Durron who welcomed him and lead him inside the huge stone building.
To SunTzu's surprise he wasn't lead in a meeting room or a small chamber but into one of the Jedi's sword sparing arenas.
Master Cilghal was waiting there, on the other side of the sparing area, her robe off and her light saber prominently on display on her belt.
"The Order decided to test your sword fighting abilities. I assume you have your light saber with you?"
"Yes, Master." SunTzu revealed the saber from the inside of his uniform.
"Good." Kyp nodded. "Now, Master Cilghal is waiting."
SunTzu donned his uniform jacket and entered the ring.
Both opponents bowed respectfully to each other and then activated their weapons.
Two streams of light, one orange, the other purple, lighted up.
Before SunTzu was even in a combat stance, Cilghal already had thrown herself at him, crossing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
SunTzu almost lost his balance parrying her attack and needed all his physical strength to push her blade back and bring some distance in between them.
So, this is how it looks like when Master Cilghal fights seriously…
It didn't stop with that, SunTzu never had seen the Mon Cal attack with such ferocity and speed and all he could do was to parry, not even coming out of his defense while she slowly drove him back.
But she wasn't going to end it as simple and fast as that. She striked him but never went for the kill, as if she was just playing with him, showing off his deficits. Even when SunTzu could make room a for a breather and opened himself for the Force he couldn't get past her defence a single time.
Pretty soon the Earthling understood that he couldn't win, no way in the Galaxy, not against such a skilled Force-User and swordswomen.
And Cilghal continued to trot him out, right in front of his old teacher. Who in turn started to tease him, that he had taught him better and that he had become sloppy.
SunTzu could hold up for a few minutes but Cilghal finally ended it with a slash of her leg, knocking him out the ring, as he toppled onto his back.
A shoe appeared next to SunTzu's face, it was Kyp's and soon another one appeared on his other side, which was Cilghal's. And then the Mon Cal offered him a hand.
SunTzu took it and both opponents nodded respectfully at each other.
"You did well, SunTzu. I thought with the sorrow in you, you might would give in to your anger but you didn't." Master Durron praised the Bavarian and both shared a respectful nod.
"I am sorry for the harsh lesson." Cilghal excused herself.
"You don't have to, you're a skillful blade fighter, Master."
Kyp began to grin and petted SunTzu on the back.
"After we got this done, what do you two say about that we get some tea?"
After the tea, SunTzu went back to his hotel. Kyp had been a good friend and mentor as always, closely listening to SunTzu what had happened. And the Jedi Master had given him the same advice as Setsuna and the Force had done before, to not drown in his pain.
"The art is to embrace your pain but not get swallowed by it."
When SunTzu told him about his Force-Vision and his way to end the conflict with Kataia without more blood share the Jedi Master had nodded respectfully.
"You've come a long way and you're doing well. Keep it up." And then he said something very meaningful for the both of them. "We've both have done sins that the Galaxy will never forget. But this doesn't mean that we also can't do good deeds which the Galaxy, or at least a part of it, won't forget either."
SunTzu took the time within the Jedi Temple as reminder to keep up his training and spent the rest of the afternoon meditating, trying to overcome the pain a bit more. Bit by bit, maybe there would be something like healing.
Evening came and SunTzu got himself ready, good thing the luxurious hotels on Coruscant came with all the amenities one needed to be presentable to the upper echelon of the Galaxy's Capital.
Dressed in one of the Taskforce's olive-colored uniforms and wearing his Bravery Medal as well as his golden Distinguished Flying Medal along every medal which gave away that he had been wounded in combat, the latest just a few mere days old, he headed out to the Imperial Palace, in which rooms the reception was to be held. Good thing they had Uber-Black on Coruscant as well now, as Sailor Saturn insisted to stay on duty within AICA, just in case problems would arise. Minako wouldn't atttend either, as she hadn't stayed on Coruscant and had left for Earth as she had been invited for a big music award show in Great Britain, a very welcomed possibility to do some promo for the First of the Senshi.
The event was a conventional reception, after the mandatory speeches there had been a banquet, the catering as perfect as one could expect.
SunTzu had hoped to get to talk with Han Solo but as usual lately, the husband of the Chief of State was on a mission.
The Royal Family of Crystal Tokyo and the Senator of Sol and her boyfriend had the honor to have seats at the table of the Chief of State but SunTzu didn't mind to sit on another table a bit further away.
At least his two wingwomen had been posted at the same table, along with some other military personnel from the fleet and the CSF.
One seat, right next to SunTzu, was empty and the first course had almost been finished by everybody on the table when someone suddenly pulled out the chair.
"I suppose this is my seat."
"I hadn't expected you to show up here."
"Of course, I have to check how my boyfriend is doing his job." Ada motioned through the room and a few meters behind the Chief of State with her head. Standing there in silence behind the ever Leia guarding Noghris and wearing a suit was Leon.
"Lieutenant Colonel Wong, aren't you a sight for weary eyes."
"Glad to see you here as well Captain Kaiou. And you as well, Captain Tenoh."
Haruka welcomed the other woman with a smug grin and Ada sat down.
The waiters brought away the plates and cutlery from the first course when Ada leaned in to SunTzu, laying a hand on his shoulder as she did so.
"How are you holding up?" She came straight to the point.
SunTzu's gaze was tired when he looked at her and answered her.
"Trying to keep myself together. Good thing I have people looking out for me." He nooded at her after finishing the sentence and he could feel a squeeze on his shoulder.
"If you need help in this dark moments, know that I'm here as well."
"Thanks Ada."
"That's what friends are for."
The second and third courses were delicious as the first but after the main courses Ada excused herself and left the table.
"Work." She told to the table before she leaned down to SunTzu. "I'll be there, if you need me."
"Thank you. Too bad you already have to leave."
Ada smiled and put a hand on her stomach.
"I'm inconsolable because of the dessert but I gotta kiss my man goodnight and then head back to the office. Ami said Kataia's rebellion needs more ammo and someone has to procure it." She winked at SunTzu and both shared a more or less wry grin.
After the dessert, it was announced that the dancefloor would be opened in the neighboring ball room but instead of people streaming over there was a small holdup as an unexpected guest arrived and made all heads turn, just as the people had gotten up.
The most feared individual in Galaxy, Supreme Commander of the Galactic Alliance's Forces and father of the Chief of State, Darth Vader himself, had arrived and greeted his daughter before the dance was officially opened with delay.
Since the Chief of State's husband wasn't with her, the honor of the first dance fell to the Neo Queen and the King of Crystal Tokyo.
As usual it was an eye pleaser to watch these two dance, as their enamored chemistry was infectious and so, immediately after the dance floor was opened for everyone, Michiru and Haruka, having been standing next to SunTzu, entered the dance floor as well.
Or that was what they had intended to, as suddenly the towering giant Darth Vader was in his armor lead the Neo Queen of Crystal Tokyo back to the dancefloor after having exchanged a few words with her.
Everyone's jaw dropped as the petite blonde queen in her white dress and the completely black phantom that Vader was begun to bop over the dance floor. It was a rather slow song they danced to and except Luna and Mamoru everyone seemed to be afraid what would happen next to the young heiress Vader whirled over the dancefloor with.
Usagi was surprised, for such a huge figure Vader moved agile, who would ever thought that Darth Vader was a good dancer?
She had been surprised that Vader, not expecting him, standing near the Chief of State, heading over to her and asking her for a dance. And even to have the honorability to make sure it was okay for Mamo-Chan as well.
She could feel the man's strong aura, probably even stronger than Grandmaster Skywalker's, and once again she was surprised to find myriads of feelings and more than anger and darkness in it. Of course she had heard the stories from when he had been the number two in the Galactic Empire, furthermore she even knew that he wasn't that monster he used to be, but now so close to him, she could really sense the good in him, the love for his family, the deepest regret and highest will to make up for his wrongs. And she could feel his horrible sorrow for have been such a monster. No, that was not the man that had slain millions.
The song ended and while Darth Vader hinted to a bow, Usagi dropped a curtsy towards her dance partner.
Vader stepped a step forward again.
"Your Majesty, may I speak with you? In private?"
Usagi nodded, although kind of nervous. Feeling the good in him or not, he still was Darth Vader.
"Of… of course."
"Follow me." Vader said and immediately began to walk away, his black cape flapping behind him.
"Excuse me and your wife, we have important things to discuss." Vader let King Endymion know as he strutted past him.
Mamoru shot Usagi a worried look but she motioned him that everything was in order.
Mamoru nodded assuringly at her, she was one of the most powerful beings in the universe after all.
Haruka and the other two immediately went over to Mamoru as well but he calmed them down.
A moment later Rei appeared at their side as well.
"Usagi knows what she is doing. Relax you guys and try to enjoy the evening, order from the Chief of State."
And just in that moment the orchestra announced that in honor of their guests from Earth they would play the music the Neo Queen had selected herself for the evening.
Darth Vader had lead Usagi into a small meeting room nearby and he had not spoken a single word on the way.
He and Usagi had already entered the room when he spoke for the first time.
"Take a seat, Neo Queen." He said, pulled out a chair and after she sat down and he he pulled her chair closer to the table, he turned around, walked back to the entrance and locked the door before he placed himself on the other side of the small table in the middle of the room, two chairs on each of it's sides and a chair each at the end of the table.
Usagi swallowed hard as her eyes were fixed on the dark towering figure standing at the other side of the table.
"What is it you wanted to talk about with me, Lord Vader?"
For a moment the former Sith just looked at the Neo Queen.
And then he slowly sat down at the table as well.
"Your Captain SunTzu… Are you aware there was a prophecy about me too, once?"
And then his gloved hands went up to his helmet and began to open it.
SunTzu was standing close to the dancefloor, watching the couples on the floor enjoying themselves while his mind was in brown studies, his mood melancholic.
He had thought about to get a drink at the bar but If he would start drinking now he probably would loose himself while trying to numb the pain and drink the guilt down. And filling himself up with alcohol would only fight the emptiness until he would get sober again. And then it would feel even worse. He had been there after he and Rei had called it quits.
The band ended their song and most of the couples left the dancefloor for a moment while the band began to play the next song.
Hearing the first notes of the song ripped SunTzu out of his thoughts and he looked up to the band, when suddenly someone stopped next to him.
"Kami, I love the Legend of Zelda."
"I loved Ocarina of Time as a kid… at least I think so…"
"Wanna dance?"
"What about Yuichiro?"
"Busy talking with the Minister of Economy."
And then Rei, dressed in a wonderfully looking navy-blue ball dress, offered her hand to SunTzu to take it and lead her to the dancefloor.
A moment later, one hand each in the other's, the other around the other's waist, they swirled over the dancefloor, just as they had done so in what felt a lifetime before.
"I didn't know that they would play stuff like that. I mean how did they got the idea for it?"
"Oh, that was Usagi's doing, she's the biggest Zelda fan I know. She decided to put the music into the songs for tonight. But don't tell Nintendo. The war is eating away enough of our financial means already."
Both former lovers shared a small laughter as they danced on.
Then suddenly, as the music began to get more intense, Rei closed the gap between them and pulled SunTzu in, each of them having their arms around the other.
"Yuichiro is probably so damn jealous right now." The Senshi of Passion joked.
For a moment they danced on without talking.
"This feels like back in the old times, back when we were just a pilot and a diplomat." She bedded her head on his chest and pulled him in tighter and he reciprocated the embrace as the two bonded souls moved in circles over the dancefloor. "I hate what this War has done to us as persons. Have you noticed that all of us smile much less now?"
His hand appeared on her neck, gently patting it.
"I know I'm not looking like it, but I'm glad to be here right now, Rei. With you. With Haruka and Michiru and Yuichiro and all the others."
"Never forget, Top Gun. And I'm not the only one. We all love you."
"Thank you, Rei."
The song came to an end and the two former lovers, forever bound by a very special bond, spent the rest of it in silent twosomeness.
"Mind if I dance with my girlfriend now?" Yuichiro had waited until the song was over before he interrupted Rei and SunTzu.
"Oh look who finally could make time for his girlfriend in between business talks." Rei mocked her boyfriend as she grabbed his hands. SunTzu and Yuichiro shared a respectful nod, no hard feelings.
"Perfect timing, this means he can overtake for me, I really need a drink. Here, Haruka." Michiru now chimed in from the side and forced Haruka's hand in SunTzu's just as the next song started and the couples began dancing again.
Haruka was donning a short, little black dress tonight and looked absolutely stunning, with the dress hugging her curves and showing just the right amount of cleavage.
"Gosh Haruka, lately you're really killing it with the looks." SunTzu commented as he tried to kill the awkwardness somehow, he and Haruka might have been best buds for quite some time but they never had danced together.
"Stop drooling, Fritz." She commented with a wink and both smiled at each other.
"This is the first time we dance with each other." SunTzu stated.
Haruka didn't answer immediately.
"Don't get me wrong, it was Michiru's idea that we both should share a dance after she saw you with Rei."
"And you didn't protest?"
"I… well… ah fuck it! I might have mentioned to her that I'm glad you're still here and that you kind of got pretty well at this whole dancing stuff since last year."
"Oh… thank you, Haruka."
"I might have also told her, that it's good that I'm happy that there's still a chance I could one day make myself a first hand experience if you're a good dancer or not. Next thing I know is I'm here. And that I will kill you painful if you ever tell someone about it."
SunTzu just shot her a grin and then Haruka leaned in.
"Don't forget that we're here if you need us."
"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. It means a lot to have you guys looking out for me." Both shared a glance.
"Let me know if you need someone to talk about the demons."
"Same."
For the next minute they just danced on, gracile moving in circles to classic music when they noticed that quite some people were looking at them.
"Bloody hell, we have the whole floor looking at us."
"Must be your dress."
"Sure as hell it isn't you." She joked back and SunTzu smiled before he looked to the edge of the ball floor, where Michiru, also dressed in black but more high-necked and less shorter-dressed than her soulmate.
"I think that Teal-haired over there likes you."
"Yeah?" They swirled around and Haruka looked at Michiru. "Guess, I should ask her for a dance then. Don't wait for me."
"Wouldn't have done so anyway." Now SunTzu was the one mocking his friend.
Both best friends shared another smile before they ended their dance and Haruka took Michiru out for another dance, the Senshi of Deep Sea winking at her friend as Haruka lead her to the floor.
SunTzu observed his friends dancing for a moment before he glanced at the bar.
If he would fight his demons tonight he would do it in a way that made a difference.
He brought up his watch to his mouth.
"AICA, tell Hotaru she's relieved from duty tonight." Knowing the teenager wouldn't like to get brought over here anyway, he continued. "Fly her home before you come here and get me."
Usagi couldn't help herself but to stare. Scars deformed the Supreme Commander's head but there was a pair of blue eyes the color of a clear mountain lake sitting inside the rather pale face.
Vader pressed a switch on his suit and the mechanical breathing sound stopped. Vader gave her a moment to understand that what had always been said about his suit that he needed it to survive was not right anymore before he began to speak.
The decoded voice was replaced by one of wisdom and not the booming that one expected by a man in such an armor.
"Becoming a Sith made me more machine than man but I brought balance to the Force. And I continue to do so until today. I'm neither Jedi nor Sith. And to be honest I shouldn't even be here."
"What do you mean?"
"Queen Serenity, you are one of the few people that know how dangerous Chaos really is. And you know it's back, stronger than ever before and this time wants the whole Galaxy to become dark."
Usagi nodded, as she always had assumed Vader knew exactly as well how dangerous Chaos was, that's was why he fought it so ferociously.
"The Force itself brought me back from the Death and into a physical manifestation, a physically healed one, giving me a chance at redemption and the possibility to serve both sides of it." He paused for a moment and there was genuine concern in his eyes.
"Queen Serenity, the Force, the FORCE itself is afraid of Chaos. That's the main reason we have Jedi and two tribes of Sith working together against Abeloth and Chaos. All of them fear the outcome if Chaos wins."
"When Chaos wins there won't be any other outcome than every living being in the Galaxy dying. The Galaxy itself will become a dead, silent, dark void forever, something not even the most cruel Sith wishes for."
It was Vader that nodded in acknowledgment now.
"This threat is even more serious than Emperor Sidious and the Yuuzhan Vong. And you know who is the key to make sure you and the other Senshi will defeat Chaos once and for all."
"I know. He's here today."
"I saw him. And I sensed his pain. The enemy still hasn't given up trying to break him. Are you aware that he still could fall to Chaos?"
"He will not. Me and my Guardians will personally make sure of that. Because he's our friend and we don't let our friends down, even in the hardest times." Usagi didn't even recognize she had been standing up after she had voiced her opinion.
If Vader had eyebrows he would have raised them now, it's been a while since someone had talked with him like that, not showing any signs of fear towards him. This young regent sure was something else.
"I am sorry for raising my voice, Lord Vader. You have to understand we all have become very close to SunTzu. And he had become very close with us."
"Let's hope it will be enough to save him against Chaos. You know who the Herald of Chaos is."
"Yes." Usagi replied quietly.
Darth Vader began to put on his helmet again and after a few moments he stood up again, back to being the giant in the black armor, his breathing apparently done by a machine in his suit again.
"Things are not looking too well lately, we have whole systems openly deflecting to the enemy. Have your forces ready to be deployed back into combat again. This includes SunTzu. The Galactic Alliance needs you." That said Vader left the table and walked towards the door while the young Queen's gaze followed him, her hands crossed in front of her, at the height of her lap.
"Yes, Lord Vader."
Before he left Darth Vader turned around to Usagi again.
"May the Force be with you, Neo Queen Serenity." He implied a bow and Usagi did the same.
"May the moonlight always light your path, Lord Vader."
And then he was gone and Serenity II., Neo Queen of Crystal Tokyo and the Moon Kingdom, waited until the door was closed again before she took a deep breather.
A few minutes after Vader and Usagi had finished their conversation, SunTzu was outside the Imperial Palace, at the official landing spot of the reception, finishing smoking a cigarette as AICA touched down in front of the building. He was about to get in, when a voice stopped him.
"Make sure to come back in one piece, the Supreme Commander just informed us that he needs the Taskforce back in combat within the next three days."
SunTzu turned around and nodded slowly.
"Affirmative, Admiral." He told Artemis and the later nodded as well.
"Give them hell, SunTzu."
A minute later AICA was shooting up the nightly Coruscant sky, taking course to the closest battle where SunTzu could make a difference. Or at least save someone.