Pina watched as men from the JSDF and 'Galactic Republic' milled about the streets of Italica. While they weren't numerous, they seemed to have good intentions. A few were either tending to the wounded, aiding civilians with rubble, or rounding up raiders who surrendered.

"Just what are you?" she asked before she and Hamilton turned to face the third recon and recon group one. "Mostly a peacekeeping force for both of us currently." Kuribayashi said.

Due to her knowledge of the galactic republic, Itami had asked her to be their speaker. After the battle, Shino decided to return the DC-15s to Duke only for her to be told that she could keep it. While she was ecstatic at being able to keep it, Shino didn't know what the general would think.

"Currently?" Pina questioned. Itami was about to speak up, Kuribayashi beat him to it. "According to commander Walker, the republic is currently recovering from a war of which the troopers fought as soldiers, now they're just peacekeeping personnel." She said. Walker nodded.

"Indeed, the JSDF has always been a peacekeeping force as well as an army to defend their home. Not exactly conceived to fight a war Princess." He said as Grey approached the group. "Princess, I couldn't find Norma." He said.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll turn up." Walker said. "How would you know?" Hamilton asked. "Beckett's with…" whatever the commander was going to say died when someone cried out.

"I NEED A MEDIC OVER HERE!" everyone turned to see Beckett carrying Norma on his back whilst carrying his sword. "Norma!" Pina said. "Oi Doc." Walker yelled. "On it Boss!" the medic said following the princess and her colleagues.

"What happened trooper?" Blitz asked. "We were returning to the main lines after seeing the reinforcements and we were ambushed." Beckett said. "He took the hit. I did my best to slow the bleeding commander."

"Princess," Norma said weakly catching her attention. "I was wrong about them. They are honorable. Trust the knights in green and perhaps even the men in green." Pina watched as Norma's form slowly became limp in the ARC Trooper's arms.

Doc placed two fingers on his neck to check for a pulse. He looked at her. "I'm sorry your highness, but he's gone." The clone medic said with sorrow.

"The battle may have been won everyone, but we lost a brother today. A trooper, he may not have been, but a true hellfighter from what duke's told me after seeing him fight." Walker said. Kuribayashi suddenly got clone 99 vibes from what was happening.

"Shino, you ok?" Kurata asked. "Huh? Oh! Yeah. It's just this brings back memories of an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars." The star wars fangirl said gesturing to the congregation of troopers and knights surrounding the now deceased Norma.

"What episode?" Itami asked. In his free time he'd been watching some of the show with Shino. "The battle of Kamino." The JSDF sergeant said before approaching the group.

Shino placed a hand on the princess' left shoulder getting her attention. "Believe when I say that some clones know what it's like to lose close friends, especially ones they consider brothers." She said catching Walker's attention.

"99." He muttered. "Sir?" Hornet asked while Blitz gave a grim smile. Both he and Walker had been at the battle of Kamino with a regiment of Coruscant Guard before they'd been transferred to the 407th.

It'd been painful to watch 99 get gunned down, but he still did his duty to the republic by supplying the healthy troopers with weapons and ammo.

HOURS LATER

Pina watched on with a mixture of uneasiness and sadness as not only citizens come to honor her fallen knight, but so did the General of the 407th. Evidently, Commander Walker had contacted his base for aid in the treaty between the Saderan Empire and the Galactic Republic. When asked, Walker merely stated that politics wasn't his expertise.

Itami sighed as he walked the halls with the Jedi General. Thankfully, Shino had tagged along. "A pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh Lieutenant." Obi-Wan said. "Same, any reason why Walker would want you here?" Itami asked gesturing to the commander

"Obi-wan has the nickname, the Negotiator, for a reason." Shino said. Itami then realized what that meant.

"Oh. I assume this'll be temporary until diplomats for the Republic to both Japan and the Saderan Empire are chosen?" he asked. Obi-wan nodded. "the Republic intends to give Japan a full demonstration of our weapons outside Alnus in the near Future."

"I see. I'll be sure to relay that to General Hazama once the treaty's been signed." Itami said. "Also, lieutenant." The Jedi said. "Be sure to also tell him this. Walker's wife has proposed an exchange program between the Republic and the JSDF. It was recently approved by the senate"

Itami and Shino raised. "Exchange program?" the latter asked. "A soldier or group of soldiers from the JSDF are given ARC trooper training by the Kaminoans which afterwards a group of shinies will receive training in the JSDF.

Shino's eyes widened at the prospect of being able to become the JSDF's first ARC trooper. "Well if anything I volunteer." She said getting a chuckle out of Itami making her blush.

"Oi, any fan of the Clone Wars era, more specifically the clone army would kill for an opportunity like that." She ranted as the laughter increased.

THRONE ROOM

"So in short, the tariffs in regards to trading are waved for both the JSDF and Republic." Hamilton said. "However, we would like for it to be made clear that we have the right to keep the captives." Walker stepped forward. "As long as they're treated well." He said.

"Treated well?" Hamilton questioned. "Like a friend or relative, and not as animals." Lelei said taking over. "Would Friends or relatives take-" Pina's aide started to say. "These are our terms Hamilton. Either take them or face the consequences." The Earth-born commander said in a dangerously low tone. Obi-wan stepped in recognizing the tone.

"If I may Ms. Hamilton, don't make the same mistake Norma made for first impressions." He said. Hamilton froze. She remembered seeing her deceased friend being followed by twelve knights in green with a scowl on his face and a black eye.

"Very well, we shall abide by the terms. Now in regards to the occupation." Hamilton said. "The JSDF will pull out whilst the Republic will leave behind a small garrison to guard the city." She gave a questioning look to Walker.

"It's a temporary garrison. Once the city's actual garrison is back to full strength, we'll pull out as well." Hamilton looked at Pina who nodded. "then we agree with this being the treaty of Italica."

With the treaty signed, princess Pina met up with grey discussing the ceasefire with Japan and the non-aggression pact with the Republic.

"So?" he asked. "The JSDF will be taking some prisoners as well as being exempt from taxes. We provide security for any envoys that the Republic and Japan send." The princess said in an exhausted tone. "I assume that some troops will remain behind?" grey asked.

"The republic will leave behind a small garrison until Italica's garrison is back to full strength." Pina said before Grey scowled. "I don't like this." He said as Clone troopers escorted several prisoners to an LAAT bound for Alnus.

with Italica safe, the joint recon team could leave in peace. Though, their troubles were far from over it seemed, as a misunderstanding loomed just ahead.

Itami groaned as he settled into his seat. "You ok?" Walker asked. "Yeah, after that skirmish, I can safely say that I don't think Japan will want a War with the republic. By the way, thanks for having LAATs transport the prisoners we chose to Alnus." The JSDF lieutenant said.

Kurata smiled seeing the earth-born commander and his CO bond. That was until he saw something in the distance. 'Fuck!' he thought before slamming the brakes.

"What's wrong now?!" Doc asked helping Tuka up. "I see smoke to our two o'clock." Kurata said. "I can't make it out. What about you Walker?" Itami asked. Walker lowered his range finder.

"That looks more like dust getting kicked up by a horse Kurata, and judging by the amount, I'd say that's Pina's reinforcements." Walker said raising his range finder.

"I see a tiara!" Kurata said. "Do you… A TIARA!?" Itami cried "Looks like a blonde." The third recon's second otaku said. "Blonde with ringlets!" Itami scurried over to Kurata with his binoculars. "Eh?!" Walker said freezing. "I love ringlets!" the lieutenant said. "Down in front Shinies!" Walker yelled lowering his range finder again.

"I can confirm. A tiara wearing blonde ringlet hottie followed by even more hotties." Kurata said. "With roses." Walker said. "and roses." Itami and Kurata repeated gaining some laughter from Doc and Tuka.

"Must be the Order of Roses the princess was talking about." Itami said. "They've probably spotted us. And since we're coming from Italica they'll probably think we attacked it sir." Doc said.

Walker gave a noticeable nod before seeing that something was wrong. "Itami, Kurata. Correct me if I'm wrong, but does the ringlet look unwell to you?"

The two look again and confirm the commander's suspicions. "Yeah, she does." Itami said. "Let's not point it out right away."

Walker, doc, and Itami exited their vehicle as the knights approached the lead transport. After what appeared to be a near heated conversation Itami stepped in.

"Easy, I'm sorry if my friend offended you miss." He said before a sword was pointed in his face. 'guess I won't be able to do this.' Itami glanced at Walker.

"Listen, we don't want trouble, Italica's safe. There's a temporary garrison in place until the city's main garrison is back to full strength." The earth-born commander said. To Itami's as well as the Ringlet's surprise, Walker didn't flinch when two swords went to his throat.

"What do you mean temporary?" the ringlet demanded. "In light of the recent battle, Italica's garrison has been nearly annihilated were it not for us knights and men in green. If not for our interference Italica would've been sacked before you arrived.

"Do any of you know a Norma Co Igloo?" Doc asked. "Yes." The Ringlet said. Doc looked at her. "Then you have our condolences. He was killed by a Raider whilst saving one of ours." Walker said shocking the knights.

"You lie!" another farther back yelled out. "Don't believe us, then go to Italica and ask the Princess herself." Itami said. the ringlet growled under her breath before taking a shaky step, stumbling.

"Ma'am are you alright?" Doc asked. "Don't ask questions!" the ringlet asked. The knight on horseback with a sword at walker's throat glanced at her colleague.

"Bozes, I think you should stand down. you haven't rested since we got word about Italica. Not only that, but you haven't drunk anything." She said. this fact caught the trio's attention.

"Severe dehydration and lack of sleep aren't a good combo." Doc said approaching the mounted knight. "once you all get to Italica, I suggest she drink a lost of fluid before getting some sleep.

'Bozes' glanced at the medic. "I don't need your…" she began to say before the grip on her sword loosened. "Oh boy!" Doc exclaimed catching her as she collapsed. Itami approached Kuwahara.

"Contact the generals. Tell him that the Joint Recon Team will be late returning as we have to confirm the treaty for a group of knights led by the princess.

The Joint Recon Team returned to italica to confirm the treaty to the Order of Roses. Though the princess had some choice words for her colleagues

"You idiots!" Pina yelled at Bozes and Panache. She threw a goblet which hit Bozes' forehead. Thanks to Panache's coaxing, Doc and Itami were able to get her to drink from Itami's canteen. Bozes was still exhausted, but refused to rest until she knew the princess was safe.

Bozes was too shocked at her childhood friend's anger to register that she was bleeding from her forehead. "Easy princess, she was practically running on fumes, so she wasn't thinking clearly." Doc said pressing some gauze against the wound..

"running on fumes?" grey asked. "She was using her adrenaline to keep herself from collapsing due to exhaustion." Walker said. "Trust me, I've been in her situation before. Not fun."

"My lady, what have Bozes and I done wrong?" Panache asked seeing that the knight in green known as Doc was tending to Bozes.

"If not for Commander Walker's silver tongue, you would've broken the treaty mere hours after it was decided."

"So, there was a treaty." Bozes said coming to her senses. "I'm unsure about the knights in green milling about in the streets though." She noticed doc having his hand on her forehead. The ringlet blushed.

"Could you kindly remove your hand." She asked. "Oh, let me flip the gauze first." The medic said rotating the gauze before taking Bozes' right hand and using it to replace his.

"Bozes, get some rest. we'll be discussing this matter later." Pina said. Bozes nodded. "Doc, make sure she actually does." Walker said. the medic nodded.

Shortly after the two departed, Walker turned to the princess. "To be fair ma'am, it was a misunderstanding. So no harm done." Itami nodded. "Still, I couldn't bear to think what'd your country would do." The princess said

"Well, it isn't enough to restart the war, if that's what you're worried about." The JSDF lieutenant said. Pina frowned. 'Still, as is our custom… I can't believe I'm going to force Bozes to offer herself to either Walker or Itami. Wait, Walker's a married man, Itami it is then." She thought.

Later that evening the princess had a meeting with Bozes but they were interrupted by the unlikeliest person.

"You want me to what!?" Bozes asked mortified. "You heard me." Pina said. "We need Japan to forget this ever happened, so you'll have to offer your body to master Itami." Bozes grimaced. She knew that she wasn't thinking straight at the time, but to think that her first wouldn't be with a man she loved was shameful.

"I wouldn't if I were you." A voice from behind them said. Turning, the two saw Doc leaning against the door frame. "Sir Doc, why are you…" Pina began to ask. "Walker wanted me to look after Bozes whilst we were here." the medic said.

"Why shouldn't she?" Pina asked. "Itami and the rest of the JSDF are having a cultural exchange with the maids you assigned to Itami. The commander thought that Bozes would attack him if she wasn't alerted beforehand."

"I'm very grateful for the warning." Bozes said. "However, if the Princess wants me to do this, I must." Doc glanced down before looking at the two.

"The Republic will be giving the General of the JSDF detachment here a demonstration of our weapons tomorrow. You've seen only a fraction of what both groups can do princess." He said. "You can also see how they treat their prisoners. As well as the refugees they've taken in."

THE NEXT DAY

"YOU WANT TO WHAT!?" Itami said, eyes wide in shock. "You heard me Master Itami." Pina said with a determined look on her face. "I wish to visit your world.

A/N: Thus ends chapter 7. What's this? The Republic is going to give JSDF personnel the opportunity to train as ARC troopers? Yes, this will be a story arc all it's own (pun not intended). As you can already tell I chose to have the first encounter with the order of roses go more smoothly than in canon. Also, I had to do a clone 99 reference for this chapter.

As always, please read and review. That being said peace.

NEXT UP: REINCARNATED AS THE AEGIS INTO ANOTHER WORLD