It was in the evening of the 21st August 2020 when the Taskforce arrived back at Crystal Tokyo. The order to move back to Earth came from the Neo Queen herself.
After the usual task of disembarking, everyone went his way for the night, which meant for the Outers that Hotaru went with Michiru and Haruka, on idea of the later, to their place and Setsuna to join SunTzu on his way to his apartment in Azabujuban.
Of course both Michiru and Setsuna had to stop their respective partners from racing each other on the bridge to Minato-ku, much to Hotaru's displeasure, not that she would have told that out loud.
For most members of Taskforce Sol it was an uneventful evening and soon the next day came, the day of the Azabujuban Noryo Matsuri, the Azabujuban Summer Festival. But things were different this year, the Neo Queen had appointed a meeting of the Inner Circle before landing and explained her plans for this year.
Apparently, and comprehensibly for everyone, the times of giddily celebrating in the streets, in secret between all the thousands of thousands of visitors were over, the bitter reality of war had taken over this celebration as well.
Setsuna and SunTzu's first stop in the morning was the Hikawa Shrine. As it was in the morning it still was quiet in and around the shrine.
The sun was already up high and shining when the Guardian of Space and Time and the Guardian of Guardians walked up the stairs to the shrine and crossed into the shrine through the white Torii.
On the shrine's square the two Coronians were busy sweeping the plaza while other Mikos, girls that probably still went to school, judging of their age, were hanging up decorations.
At the entrance to the building with the sacred shrine stood Rei, dressed as a Miko as well, arms crossed and hidden in the long white sleeves of the dress.
She didn't nod when she noticed the two guests.
Setsuna and SunTzu, both dressed in their uniforms, headed directly for the priestess, on the way greeting Deimos and Phobos.
"Morning." The Senator of Sol System stated dryly when the two other Guardians stopped in front of her.
"Bad premonition?" SunTzu asked, knowing that the stone-faced Rei was in a foul mood.
"No, just in a bad mood. Listen, can we head to the back of the building?"
SunTzu knew what that meant, Rei wanted to have a cigarette without being seen.
"Your mood must be really shitty if you start smoking that early."
"You have no any idea, TopGun. But on top of that I don't want Grandpa to see you, I'm not in a mood to come up with his bullshit today." She huffed. "Yuichiro is with him, trying to keep him in the house for as long as the girls are not busy yet. I'll probably choke him to death if he starts being after them."
Following Rei a step behind, Setsuna and SunTzu exchanged a glance, with SunTzu briefly raising his brows, even for the two of them who were so close to Rei it was very seldom to see her in such a bad mood.
Setsuna wouldn't tell but she hadn't seen Rei like this since just after SunTzu left, not even the worst senatorial meeting had messed up her mood like that ever.
At the backside of the building, looking down Sendai Hill and covered from anyone watching Rei stopped and fumbled a package of cigarettes out of the pocket of her dress. She offered one to SunTzu and he was about to decline the offer but Rei wasn't having it.
"Oh, c'mon TopGun, don't make me feel like I'm the only one stressed out here."
SunTzu turned to Setsuna and she nodded.
As soon as he had put the cigarette in his mouth, Rei used a flame above her finger to light it.
"The old party trick." SunTzu remarked and it draw the faintest twitch of her lip from Rei before she lighted her own cigarette.
For a few draws they just stood there, looking down the sacred hill onto Azabujuban, Rei and SunTzu next to each other and Setsuna a step behind them, the two smokers blowing small clouds of blue smoke into the warm morning air.
Finally Rei aired out a frustrated sigh.
"Ka…" She remembered she was on sacred ground. "Ugh… this damn war keeps on taking from us. It feels like it's taking all our innocence and all our happiness from us."
"You know about our duties as Sailor Senshi, Rei-Chan." Setsuna's voice held no accusation but warmth.
"Yeah… I just wish… the distraction would have been nice." Rei turned her head to Setsuna for a quick glance before turning back to the front. "It's a bit hard lately. The Senate apparently won't spent more money on the Refugees in the Rim and I can't even get wasted with the girls because her Royal Bunhead finally becomes the ruler she's supposed to be."
Rei blew out another cloud of smoke, head slightly tilted upward when suddenly an arm was laid gently around her.
"What did I tell you about politicians?"
Despite her mood a smile appeared on the Princess of Mars's lips.
"A lot of things I cannot say at this holy ground but also that persistence is key."
Rei laid an arm around Setsuna's arm around her.
"And what does it really make you feel that Usagi won't take us out to party but instead the Neo Queen will honor this city?"
Rei turned around again, pouting. "Oh c'mon Sets, that's not fair."
Rei earned a motherly look and she signed.
"Fine… Gods, in front of TopGun. He might think I'm getting soft. But… I'm so proud of Usagi-Chan. Going to the Festival in form of an official Royal Visit… and the ceremony here at the shrine, wow! I'm so proud of her."
"See, that wasn't so hard after all."
Rei pressed her head against Setsuna.
"Thank you, Neesan."
Setsuna gently stroked over Rei's head.
SunTzu had quietly observed the conversation and there was a smile on his lips, the sisterly conversation between two of his absolutely most beloved people warming his heart.
The next stop for the couple soon after the cigarette was Crystal Tokyo. Yuichiro couldn't stop grandpa from leaving the house and Rei had to intervene, therefore the visit, meant as first peer for security measures for later on, was cut short but would be continued on the spot by Deimos and Phobos. This of course meant that the inspection would be done as thoroughly as possible and probably the most intense it could be as the two Coronians infiltrator and assassin skills were unmatched.
The couple's final destination was the Marvin-Lewis-Airbase, where they met with the other Outers. While Haruka and SunTzu soon would leave for Azabujuban soon again and act as leaders on the site of the Crystal Tokyo security forces In Azabujuban. Meanwhile Michiru and Setsuna would take care of the Neo Queen, and her wardrobe, while Hotaru would provide personal security for the Princess.
The group was about to get back to their cars, when suddenly Lieutenant Tremblay appeared at the two hangars where AICA and the Voyager were parked in.
"Captain SunTzu, Sir?" He directly approached the Bavarian.
"Lieutenant?" SunTzu said, surprised to see Artemis's adjutant here. The others were surprised as well.
"Would you please follow me to the Headquarters, the Admiral wants to see you."
SunTzu exchanged a glance with Setsuna before he answered, expecting some bad news directly from Artemis.
"Of course." He turned to the four Senshi.
"See you guys later. I let AICA drop me off at Juuban later." He additionally told Haruka before he gave Setsuna a quick kiss and then fell in step between the lieutenant.
"Lieutenant?" Haruka suddenly addressed the young officer, making him and SunTzu turn around.
"There is nothing going on regarding the security of the Royal Family, right?" Haruka seemed tense as she stood there.
"Nothing I would knew of, Captain."
Haruka nodded, at least her worst fears didn't seem to be the case of SunTzu's detour.
"Very well then, just make sure you'll bring the Captain back in one piece after he gets his run-down from the Admiral."
"What the fuck, Haruka? Who says I'll get a rundown."
Haruka's smile was more than smug as she answered.
"Sorry, force of habit."
"Haruka!"
A drive to the Military Headquarters in the Palace later, SunTzu and the young lieutenant appeared in Artemis office. Lieutant Tremblay announced that he had brought the captain, saluted and then left the room after Artemis had thanked him.
As soon as the door was closed, SunTzu, standing at attention, began to speak.
"You wanted to see me, Admiral?"
"Indeed, thank you for coming immediately. Please have a seat." The Mau in his white uniform pointed to one of the two chairs in front of his desk and SunTzu sat down.
"I know it's been a bit hasty and probably surprising for you that I ordered you here but I can reassure you, I have good news. Although I think the two of us won't attend the Neo Queen's visit to the Summer Festival."
"Sir?"
"SunTzu, do you remember Galactic Alliance Spec Forces Team 441?"
How he could ever forget them. And their faces when they had lost their leader.
"Captain Colystel's old team."
Artemis nodded in acknowledgment, this surely would bring some dark memories for the Guardian of his Senshi.
"What about them?" SunTzu asked, his voice giving away uncertainty. Artemis had said something about good news but SunTzu couldn't believe that this war had any good news regarding its fighting troops.
"Well, I got a call from Coruscant, General Cyone from the staff of the SpecFor HQ. The team requested to change command. They want to join Taskforce Sol."
Although it was becoming common that SpecFor units tried to join the Taskforce because of it's reputation this was a complete surprise for SunTzu and for a moment he just looked at Artemis who then continued.
"Cyone wants to see me today and since you know the team, I thought you might want to join me, that would again mean you want catch the Queen's visit to the Festival. But AICA would also be the fastest way to get there."
SunTzu didn't need to think much about it, the Senshi would be close around the Neo Queen anyways, with him in the background, keeping security, and if there was one chance Artemis could at least have some time to enjoy the Festival with his family, apart from the Senshi the man had a little kid, he would be happy to help.
"I'll let AICA and Captain Tenoh know."
"Thank you, SunTzu."
While Artemis and SunTzu were on their way to Coruscant the rest of the Inner Court made their way to Juuban onboard a vehicle convoy.
Serenity II. was dressed in a lavender-colored dress, as her husband was dressed in lavender as well and when she left the Royal Rolls Royce the clicking of cameras almost drowned out the the Ah's and Oh's of the attending crowd, trying to steal a look at Juuban's most famous child.
This year was a crass opposite to the visits the girls were used to have when it came to the Azabujuban Noryo Matsuri, even when they had to begin to garble themselves up. But this time it was an official state visit and apart from the heightened security, involving TMPD officers holding back the mostly cheering crowd, angry ranting or whistles were very sparse, the officials of these parts of the city had awaited the Royal Family and their entourage.
Professionals as they by now had became, neither the Royal Family nor the other Senshi seemed to be visibly upset that for once they wouldn't have a party in the streets of Juuban but rather a tour under the guide of the city's major with just a bit of samples of the food stalls and a simple small cup of Sake at one of the stalls, everything perfectly arranged for the media. A whole army of reporters, camera men and photographers was at the Court's coat-tail while they were lead over the festival and after a little bit more than two hours, police had lots of work to clear a path with the thousands of onlookers and guests, it was over and the leadership of Crystal Tokyo, sans their Admiral and the Guardian of Guardians, were back in their vehicles.
Meanwhile Crystal Tokyo's highest-ranking soldier and his most decorated pilot had not only arrived at Coruscant but already had met with General Cyone. What was left was the bit of paperwork and it was Artemis who approached SunTzu.
"You know the team is waiting in the barracks. Leave the writing to me and let them know that they got their new command. If you want to of course."
SunTzu thought about it for a second, there was the possibility that they would blame him for Gistess's death as much as he did himself. He thought about briefly what a Senshi would do and then gave an answer.
"I'll visit them and give them the news personally."
"Thank you, SunTzu." Artemis said, understanding why SunTzu had needed a moment.
"Of course. I just hope they don't shoot the messenger."
The next stop for the Inner Court was lunch with the city's officials in one of the best restaurants of Azabujuban, in a reserved and secluded private room although the restaurant had been closed down for the state guests from the neighboring kingdom anyways. While the army of reporters waited outside, an army of security forces, both from Tokyo and Crystal Tokyo, guarded and patrolled the building and its surroundings.
The meal, traditional Japanese, was great and although it uplifted the Neo Queen's mood, deep down she still wished she just could have had a regular Azabujuban Summer Festival as always.
And she was far from being the only one to feel this way, even the King was feeling disappointed that his wife couldn't enjoy the day like he wanted and the Princess was especially upset as she had wished to turn her boyfriend's head with her wearing her new Yukata she had gotten tailored for the Festival months ago.
Nevertheless the Senshi all knew about the importance of the state visit and that now it was worth more than any party could have been. Earth and all their allies needed to rally behind Crystal Tokyo, an unified Galaxy against Chaos began here, with reaching the people at their former home, in the very streets where they all had first met and first had fought together against evil and the emissaries of Chaos years ago.
SunTzu had the info where the Team was from a NCO on duty at the gates of the barracks and he stopped in front of the simple dura concrete shelter, the door was closed and SunTzu was urged to knock although he knew he couldn't, after all he was an officer and these were regular soldiers and non-commissioned officers.
He swallowed hard before he opened the door and stepped in.
The Team was back from a mission at the edge of the Unknown Regions and had some downtime, so much SunTzu knew. And that mission close to the Unknown Regions either meant behind enemy lines or at least at constantly contested space, if it wouldn't have been for the tactical finesse of the Chiss and the ability to quickly adapt from the Empire of the Hand there wouldn't be a way in and out to the Unknown Regions anymore. Pellaeon and the Remnant supported the operations in this area with ships and units but the fighting was hard and internecine.
As SunTzu entered which was the main room of the shelter, a typical military dormitory, one of the troopers, one of the assaulted, laying on his bunk bed, reading a magazine, spotted him and immediately jumped up to attention. The other six guys in the room followed after hearing "Officer present."
SunTzu, wearing his flight suit and wishing he at least would have worn an uniform saluted and the Operators saluted back.
"Captain SunTzu. Long time no see." It was the soldier SunTzu knew as Corporal Nadis, but by now he had been promoted to Sergeant.
"Sergeant Nadis, I've been informed about the team's request and I'm here to discuss it with you guys."
Nadis turned to another soldier, a tall Pau'an.
"Stick, get the Master Sergeant and Cutter."
A few moments later the new leader of the team and its second-in-command and medic appeared in the dormitory.
"Captain." Tateel greeted SunTzu and saluted which the German reciprocated.
And then something surprising for SunTzu happened, Master Sergeant Tateel offered a hand shake to SunTzu.
Dumbfounded SunTzu looked at Tateel and needed a moment before he shook the hand of the Sephi.
The Master Sergeant understood immediately why SunTzu was surprised.
"I'm pretty sure you're here because of our transfer request. We should talk about that in private. If you'd follow me, Sir."
Tateel lead SunTzu in a small dorm room which had been converted in a small office.
"This would have been the teamleader's quarters but I sleep in the dorm with the other guys. So we made our mission planning room and team office out of it." Tateel noticed the twitch SunTzu made when the human had heard the word teamleader.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Master Sergeant?"
"Permission to speak freely?"
SunTzu took a deep breather, this would be it now, the Operator would let him know how the team despised him for being the reason their commander got killed.
"Feel free to do so." It came out of SunTzu's mouth, his voice much more quiet then before.
"I'm very positive about that I speak for the whole team. It means a much that they sent you to talk with us."
"It… you don't despise the fact that I'm here?"
The tall humanoid nodded acknowledging.
"You feel guilty for the death of Captain Colystel, I already assumed something like that."
"I don't feel guilty about her death, I am guilty for her death, Sergeant."
"And therefore guilty of pacifying a planet and saving the lives of its inhabitants. Just like she and everybody in the team, everyone from the GA's Forces before, with and after us on that hellhole was and is. Listen, the Captain was very well aware of the danger of our work. And I knew her well enough that for her dying in the line of duty, giving her life for a cause, was how she always wanted to go out."
"She died from a shot meant for me."
"And yet it took her. Don't get me wrong, everyone of us would have died for her, and we followed her to hell and back on several occasions, not to mention that she had a child at home, but the thing is, the Captain only lived for war. She once told me the only thing she really feels home at is the battlefield. The only place she could let go of the things that haunted her. So her dying on the battlefield was something that was inevitable."
SunTzu stayed silent so Tateel continued.
"We heard what you did on Tombstone. The trees. Captain, none of us are saints but this… I'm glad the war didn't corrupt you yet."
For a moment both were silent, before Tateel asked SunTzu a question.
"You probably are here to tell us about the decision of Taskforce Sol to either let us become part of it or not."
"As if that was ever a question. We're always outmanned, but with guys like your team on deck never outgunned.
"I like the sound of that."
"Admiral Artemis, Sol's CO is finishing up the paperwork. Welcome to Taskforce Sol, Master Sergeant."
The city of Azabujuban had wished for a afternoon press conference from the Neo Queen but Usagi had different plans, plans that not only brought more attention to the sacrifices Taskforce Sol was bringing but also was something the young queen felt from the heart was something she wanted and needed to do.
Although some of the questions had been tough to answer and she had to spent countless hours with Luna, Setsuna, Minako, Michiru and Ami to train how to react and to answer to certain questions, Usagi had instead of the press conference answered any question she had been asked by the media, just to make sure Azabujuban would also support her own plan for the afternoon.
A few minutes after SunTzu had told Tateel about their change of Command and their new post, which they then had informed the team about, which was very happy to get to a command that seemed to make a difference, Artemis appeared as well and introduced himself before SunTzu and him let the Team now that they would see them soon, a shuttle would pick them up in a few days.
And then it was time for the two officers to get back, both knowing what the Neo Queen was about to do, and none of them wanted to miss this important and also moving moment. And if AICA would fly at max velocity they might had a chance to make it.
Within five minutes of entering AICA's cockpit, the AI and the two officers were in Hyperspace, rushing down the CTE.
Above the Hikawa Shrine a no-flight-zone had been established, which didn't apply for a certain black A-Wing of course, although protocol made it necessary that two A-Wings from Styx Squadron made visual contact.
Nonetheless the area of the shrine was packed with tens of thousands of people and a landing spot nearby was more or less out of the question, yet a landing at the shrine.
"On our eight, between these two cop cars."
SunTzu eyed the spot Artemis just had announced. AICA could fit in there, or at least drop them there, but the downside was, that it was at the backside of the shrine and there was no regular path up to the shrine. The ceremony would commence in a few minutes.
"I hope you can run up a hill with your flight boots, Captain."
Artemis said as they both had left the cockpit and AICA had lifted off again, helping Styx to keep the sky clear. Both men were looking up the hill, the roof of the building behind which Rei had her cigarette earlier this day visible. To get there one had to walk up the steep forested hill.
"After you, Sir." SunTzu motioned towards the hill and Artemis and him began to walk over to the foot of it.
There the men took another look up when speakers around the temple announced that the ceremony would begin now.
Artemis and SunTzu looked at each other again and then bursted forward.
The Mau transformed into a cat and sprinted agile up the hill, using sprints and jumps. SunTzu, although not as agile and fast but with longer feet than a cat was in close pursuit.
As the Neo Queen, hand in hand with her Husband, followed by the Princess and then both the First of the Senshi and the Senator of Sol, both transformed stepped out of the main temple the two officers made it to the shrine.
Artemis transferred again and both men needed to take some time to breath normally again, running up the hill had left them panting.
The procession of the Queen was followed by Rei's grandfather and Yuichiro in their priest robes as well as all the Mikos of the Shrine. The Mikos were carrying bouquets of Kiku and Higanbana flowers, a total of 207 flowers, each for a lost member of Taskforce Sol, with the White Chrysanthemums being one more than the Red Spider Lilies. The last of the cohort was Eternal Sailor Saturn, the Senshi of Death and Rebirth, she acted as rear guard.
The rest of the Senshi and the Inner Court as well as their families and other high officials of Tokyo, Azabujuban and Crystal Tokyo were standing on the side of the building, while the thousands of spectators had been positioned on the side of the Tory Gate, more than half of the Plaza was filled with them.
The destination of the Queen and her cohort was a stone monument, newly erected in honor of everybody that died in the fight to support the Senshi to save the world and the Galaxy, from the Taskforce back to when the Senshi just had awoken. The monument had been sponsored by the Royal Family and sanctified by Rei, her grandfather and Yuichiro in a special ceremony.
The Court was looking on as the Neo Queen and the King made their way over the plaza. For several thousand people at the shrine it was more than quiet and the onlookers followed the procession in devotion.
The other Outer Senshi were in the back of the group of the Royal Court and none of them even turned around as suddenly the group was joined by two more men.
SunTzu stopped next to Setsuna in the back, while Artemis agile made his way through to the front and stopped next to his daughter.
He motioned the happy Diana to stay silent and then took her hand before he and Luna, who was holding Diana's other hand exchanged a loving smile.
"You really made it in time." SunTzu quietly said as she took SunTzu's hand.
"Good timing." Michiru commented from the row in front of Setsuna.
Haruka turned around for a second.
"Almost too late." She ended the sentence with a wink, drawing a grin from SunTzu.
"But still he made it. To be in our middle, as one of us."
Haruka suppressed a laughter and turned to SunTzu again, pointing on her Fuku's skirt but before she could say something SunTzu already was whispering to her.
"Nope, I'm still not gonna wear a skirt."
"Sush." Luna turned around and immediately everyone fell silent.
But SunTzu and Setsuna didn't need anymore words anyway, as her gentle squeeze earlier had meant that she was feeling the same as Michiru, she was happy that SunTzu was in her middle.