The band was playing a lovely tune as Louise and Saito danced on the dance floor. All of a sudden the band started playing a slow song. Louise leaned in and rested her head on Saito's chest as they continued to dance. This feels so nice Louise thought to herself. She then looked up at Saito and him down at her. They both started to lean in to a kiss when suddenly everything went black.
"Louise wake up Louise wake up" Saito said trying to wakeup Louise.
Louise slowly started to wake up and took in her surroundings. She sees Saito over her and wraps her arms around his neck still half asleep. This surprises Saito for she's never done anything like this before when he woke her up. She started pulling him closer and closer with her lips parted ready to finish what she started in her dream.
"Louise" Saito shouted while shaking Louise now trying wake Louise up entirely before she does something she may regret.
Louise starts to realize what's going on and lets go and pushes Saito away from her with a face as red as a tomatoes. "Don't get any funny ideas about what just happened you dog" Louise shouted angrily.
"Don't worry about it" Saito said as he picked himself off the floor. "Now get dressed the Princess just sent for us to head for the palace."
"Get out of my way then" Louise said as she shoved Saito out of her way to get to her dresser to get dressed. I don't think I've ever seen her get dressed this fast before Saito thought to himself. By the time Saito had finished putting on his armor Louise was already packed and almost out the door.
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On the carriage ride to the palace Saito and Louise sat next to each other in uncomfortable silence. "Did you really need to bring your armor" Louise asked?
Currently Saito was sitting in his armor with his helmet retracted and his hard pack with all his rifles and Derflinger sitting across from himself. "The letter that the Princess sent said that she needed to talk to us and that she had a mission for us. I didn't see why not to bring it."
"Partners got a good point why shouldn't he bring all his weapons. The Princess has a mission for us after all he may need them" contributed Derf.
"They may not let you into the palace wearing that and carrying all those muskets" replied Louise.
"We were invited by the princes I'm sure it will be fine" Saito countered.
"I'm not so sure" Louise muttered under her breath.
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As they passed over the bridge Saito looked out the window and could see the palace. It was just what you would think of when you thought of a castle large, made of stone, big wall surrounding it. As they approached the front gate a guard came around to see the passengers. He was a little bit alarmed when he saw Saito in his armor and looked across and saw his weapons. "State your business" the guard said with as much authority as he could muster.
"My name is Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière and this is my Familiar Lieutenant Saito Hiraga. We have been summoned by the Princess" Louise replied donning her noble persona.
"You have been expected you may proceed" the guard replied allowing them inside the castle walls.
As the carriage pulled up to the main entrance Louise and Saito got out and were greeted by the leader of the musketeer squad Agnes. "Hay Agnes long time no see" Saito said to her.
"Hello Lieutenant and greetings Ms. Vallière" Agnes looked over Saito taking in his armor and all of his weapons. "Why did you bring so many weapons?"
"The Princess said in her letter that she had a mission for use so best to be prepared" Saito reasoned.
"There's prepared and there's going overboard. Me and my troops probably carry less than half of what got now isn't it heavy?"
"Yes it is heavy but with my suits strength enhancements it makes it easier to carry."
"That's some suit. Follow me the Princess is waiting for you in the throne room.
Agnes led Saito and Louise through the palace hallways leading the way towards the throne room. As they entered they saw Henrietta sitting on the throne. As soon as Henrietta saw Louise and Saito she practically leaped off of her throne and ran towards Louise. She then began to embrace her and say "oh Louise I'm so glad to see you again. I have something for you Louise I wanted to give it to you in person." Henrietta grabbed Louise's hand and brought her to the throne. "Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière as a reward for your services in bringing the fugitive Fouquet to justice I am honored to bestow upon you the title of Chevalier."
Louise's face lit up with joy at hearing this but she then quickly regained her composure. "I thank you your highness but I am not worthy of a title such as Chevalier."
"Nonsense Louise you aided in the capture of the thief Fouquet who had run circle around the palace guards." Henrietta said trying to get Louise to realize that she does indeed deserve the title she had bestowed upon her. "As for you Lieutenant I'm sorry I am unable to reward you in the same way but since you're not of this country I can't do anything except compensate you in a form of gratitude." Henrietta withdrew a bag of gold coins from behind the throne and gave them to Saito.
"Thank you your highness" Saito said accepting the bag of gold coins. "I would like to talk to you about forming an alliance between your people and mine."
"I would be interested in opening negotiations when will your people arrive?"
"Not for another month and a half, but you can talk to them now if you would like."
"I don't understand" Henrietta said confused.
"Ya Saito how can the Princess talk to your people if they won't arrive for another month and a half" asked Louise just as confused?
"We have ways of communicating across great distances" Saito said reaching for something in his pack. He withdrew what looked like a hokey puck with a camera lens on the side. He then took out his radio and hooked the two devices together. "I.D.D. command come in do you read me?"
"We read you Lieutenant continue."
"I have the set up ready is the representative ready on your end."
"We're all set on this end proceed."
Saito then reached for his PDA to activate the process and in a few seconds the representative was standing before them. He looked like he was in his fifties and stood about six feet tall wearing a black suit with a pin of the federation symbol on his collar. "Are you receiving my image can you hear me" asked the representative?
"Every things working just fine representative" Saito informed him.
"Good thank you. Greeting Princes Henrietta my name is Herald Brines and I am the representative for the United Federation."
Henrietta and Louise looked at the man you appeared out of thin air as if he was a ghost. "How did you just appear out of nowhere?"
"Sorry your highness but I'm not actually here. What you're seeing is actually a projection of light casting me as a 3D image. What I'm called right now is a hologram. Lieutenant would you please show them by taking a swipe at me" asked the Representative?
"Sure Rep" Saito walked up to the Representative and took a swipe straight to his gut and it just passed through. "The object projecting his image is this device here" Saito said indicating the hokey puck device on the ground.
"Amazing" exclaimed the princes.
"Now getting back to business our people would like to form an alliance with your people."
"Why do you wish to form an alliance with us?"
"Your world is the first we've discovered so far and we would like to study your world and its people. Also from the few scans that we've been able to take so far show that your world holds some very interesting natural resources that we would like to collect. We would be willing to compensate you for them if you let us."
"How strong is your country?"
"What do you mean?
"If something were to happen while your people were here I would like to know if it would be entirely up to my own forces to protect them."
"Well there are no worries about that happening your highness using what the Lieutenant has provided as a basis our military technology and strength is about four hundred years in advance of anything you should have in your world."
"That's amazing the nation of Tristain would gladly form an alliance with your people."
"Thank you your highness. As a sign of our people's friendship I would like to assign Lieutenant Saito Hiraga to detached service to your country. He is a very capable soldier and has received training in a wide variety of situations. If you have problem I'm sure that he will be able to take care of it for you. I look forward to talking with you in person good bye your highness." With that he just vanished into thin air with the transmission being terminated.
"Your people truly are a unique people" Henrietta said still amazed at what she had seen.
"We do have some impressive toys" Saito replied.
"I'm glad that he has placed you on detached service to me I have a mission that I would like to send the two of you on."
"What is the mission your highness I will do anything you ask of us" Louise responded without a second thought.
Man talk about having a dedicated subject Saito thought.
"I have been hearing rumors about Nobles taking advantage of their position in town. I would like the two of you to go undercover and investigate this matter."
"I graciously accept this mission your highness" Louise answered.
"I accept this mission as well your highness" Saito replied.
"If you follow these servants they will lead you to rooms in which you can change so as to blend into the population." Henrietta said indicating two servants behind them.
Louise and Saito followed them heading to two separate rooms in which to change. Louise was given a black dress that went down to below her knees with open toe shoes and a barrette.
Saito was given a pair of worn black pants with suspenders a blue shirt and a jacket type coat. Unfortunately Saito couldn't openly carry his weapons so he had to get creative with carrying them. Derflinger he could carry in the open so he slung him over his shoulder. There was an inside pocket in the coat so he placed his PDA in it. He was most happy when he was able to carry his side arm behind his back. Without it he would of felt completely vulnerable and a little naked as well. The weapon was equipped so it could be carried with a lanyard stile strap. He shortened the strap so the weapon would hang in the grove of his back. He put the strap behind his neck and under his arms so the weapon would hold in place. At the base of the lanyard style strap was a quick release so he could release it from the strap quickly and have it ready to us when he needed it. As always he had the two magazines loaded with stun rounds loaded into the weapon. Saito then reached into his pack for his survival kit and withdrew two things. A Marine flip blade with built in flashlight and put it in his pocket, and a Bushmaster survival knife it had a ten inch blade with a reverse side saw teeth and a D knuckle guard this he attached to his hip. He decided to take this because it was the only knife he had that had its own in depended sheath. As well as having the small makings of a first aid kit. The last thing he equipped himself with before leaving was his zip tie handcuffs placing them in his other coat pocket.
As they exited their changing rooms Agnes was waiting for them. She looked over Louise and said "that's perfect you look just like a commoner." She then turned to Saito and said "You on the other hand look like a mercenary."
"What makes you say that? Is it my hair or something" Saito asked curiously?
"Well no it's not your hair even though it's kind of short but with your sword slung like that you look like a mercenary."
"I thought that it wasn't uncommon for commoners to carry swords" Saito asked?
"I guess your right but do you really need to bring it?"
"You bet he does girly what if partner here gets into some kind of trouble and needs me. Besides I can help inform him on how things work around here since he's still new to the area."
Agnes was a bit thrown off by what she had just heard the sword say "Your sword can talk?"
"Yep his names Derflinger he's my resident informant. He informs me on how your society works."
"Very well then this may help you out as well. A Nobleman might think you're a mercenary and hire you. Then we can at least see if any of the Nobles are hiring mercenaries to do their dirty work."
"Sounds good to me" Saito responded.
"Common let's get to work and serve the princes" Louise urged.
"Follow me and I'll show you how you will be entering" Agnes said while walking off. Saito and Louise followed suit and were lead to where they store the carriages and wagons. "You'll be transported to the outskirts of town in this covered wagon where you'll be dropped off and then re-enter the town. This is to ensure that you are not spotted exiting the palace and have your cover as commoners questioned from the beginning."
Saito and Louise boarded the covered wagon and it proceeded out of the palace gate. "I can't believe that I the daughter of a Duke have to ride around in a vehicle like this" Louise griped.
"Do you even understand the concept of undercover? This is nothing I once had to be transported on a garbage scow in order to sneak behind enemy lines. At least you don't have to deal with the smell of rotting garbage, and Rats the size of Dogs trying to eat you." Saito tells her trying to get her to realize the situation.
"Your exaggerating aren't you. I mean Rats the size of Dogs there's no way a Rat could get that big."
"Your wrong about that they were rat like creatures we were just lucky they didn't swarm us. We had to be quiet so when they got close we plunged our knives into their necks to kill them."
"What kind of mission did you have to go on that required you to have to be transported in a garbage scow with giant Rats?"
"We had to infiltrate a planet quietly and identify a high value target for elimination."
"What happen?"
"We eliminated the target then engaged in a fire fight for a few minutes with the local enemy forces until our retrieval ship arrived to pull us out. Looks like we're here" Saito said noticing the carriage had stopped. "Hay did we arrive?"
"Yes it's safe to get out now" replied the driver.
When they got out they looked over towards the town they were about a mile away. "We have to walk all the way back to town" Louise moaned.
"Common Louise stop complaining let's get moving." Saito then turned to address the driver "thanks for the ride inform the princes that we'll return to the palace in a week with an update on our findings." Saito then saluted the driver which confused him and walked off towards the town with Louise in tow.
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After entering the town Louise said "First thing we need to do is find a place to sleep."
"Makes sense you know of any boarding houses in the area?"
"Yep follow me" Louise led them towards a four star hotel. As soon as Saito saw this he deadpanned at realizing where Louise wanted to spend the night. They didn't spend more than five minutes their once Louise found out how much it would cost them to stay there.
"What did you expect listen Louise we can't stay at places for Nobles."
"Fine then the next thing we need to do is procure transportation."
"Huh" Saito said wondering what she was thinking.
Louise led them to a hoarse stable but again left empty handed at realizing how much a horse would cost. "I can't believe they would ask that much for a horse" Louise said frustrated. "How are we supposed to get around now?"
"Look Louise it's a small town we can walk it."
"Shut up I'm going to go and fix our monetary problem" Louise then started walking off again.
"Where are you going?"
"Don't worry about me I'll be back in a while I'll be in that building over there" Louise said indicating a building at the end of the street.
"Hay Derf tell me something the fact that I have a bad feeling about this is justified right?"
"I'd have to agree with you partner."
After a few hours passed Louise came back with a look on her face that told Saito that her plan didn't work out the way she had hoped it would. "What's with the look?"
"I los all the mon at the casino" Louise muttered under her breath.
"You what" Saito asked not understanding what she had just said?
"I lost all the money at the Casino" Louise repeated this time legible.
"Damn it Louise what made you think that you could make money at the Casino?"
"They said that I could make more if I played long enough."
"Louise a Casino is a business like any other business and there in the business of making money. They'll say anything in order to get you to spend your money there. Know we have to find a way to make money as well as find a place to sleep. We aren't off to a very good start common." Saito started walking off looking for a shop that was hiring with Louise in tow.
As they started walking they saw a young lady being harassed by a group of five men. "Come with us sweetie we'll show you a good time."
"No thank you" replied the girl trying to get away.
"Don't be rude just come along with us and everything will be just fine" said the man now grabbing her arm.
"Hey leave the girl alone" Saito said in a calm voice behind them.
The men turned to at who had just said that. Upon seeing Saito they visibly relaxed "who's she to you you already got a girl this one's ours."
"Hold on a second this one's pretty cut" said one of the men reaching for Louise. Saito reached out and grabbed the man's hand before he could touch Louise and twisted it sending him to the ground. "Ah my arm my arm" shouted the man in pain.
"Never seen her before don't even know her name but she doesn't look like she wants to go with you bastards."
"Looks like you need to be taught a lesson about minding your own business" the men started surrounding Saito to attack him from all sides.
"Fine if this is what you want let me just finish up with this first." Saito then performed one final twist on the arm of the man on the ground dislocating the man's hand and breaking his arm.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh" screamed the man on the ground at the pain of having his hand dislocated and arm broken.
"You shouldn't have done that" said the man in front of Saito. He then rushed Saito throwing a right hook. Saito just ducked and swung his left elbow up at his face breaking his nose and disorienting him. He was then behind the man now off balance and shoved his foot from behind him knocking him down. The other three men then rushed him all at once. Saito used the forward momentum of the one to his left and redirected him to the right. He collided with the man in the center sending them to the ground in seconds tripping over one another. For the last one he used his forward momentum and grabbed his arm and flipped him leaving him flat on his back. The fight was over.
"Wow thank you that was amazing I don't even think it took you ten seconds to take them all down" said the girl.
"Your welcome. Common Louise we still need to find a job and somewhere to spend the night" Saito said walking away.
"Wait I can help you with that. The place I work is looking to hire and we can put you up for the night" Said the girl wanting to repay him for his kindness.
"Thanks my names Saito and this is Louise" Saito said introducing himself and Louise
"My name is Jessica and I work at the enchanted fairy inn."
"What kind of place is it" Saito asked?
"It's a restaurant and bar with hotel rooms upstairs we can give you free boarding when you work there."
"Let's go then. So what kind of customers do you get" Saito asked?
"All kind's commoners and Nobles" replied Jessica
Saito turned and gave a smile towards Louise their mission was getting back on track.
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As they entered the Inn Saito and Louise were greeted by the sight of about a dozen waitresses in skimpy maid outfits. However this happy sight was ruined almost immediately when a large muscular man came out in hot pants and a tiny tank top acting and talking like a women. "Jessica sweetie where have you been I was starting to worry."
"Sorry dad I ran into some trouble on the way back and this kind person helped me out" Jessica replied.
Dad both Saito and Louise thought at the same time surprised.
"What kind of trouble" her father asked.
"Some men were trying to get me to go with them and Saito beat them all up in no time flat rescuing me."
"Oh thank you young man" he then came over to Saito and gave him a big hug lifting him off of his feet.
To Saito it almost felt like a death grip "you're welcome can you put me down now please."
"Woops sorry about that. My name is Scarron and I own and run this place you may order whatever you wish tonight it is on the house."
"Dad he said that they were looking for jobs and a place to stay. I told them that they could work here and we could provide a room for the night."
"Why of course young man you can help Jessica out in the back and I don't believe I caught you name?"
"My name is Louise."
"Follow the other girls and they will help you get dressed."
"Wait what" Louise didn't have any time to ask questions the other girls started taking her up stairs to get changed.
Saito was working in the back washing dishes when Louise came back down in her maid outfit. Saito had a bit of a hard time not staring as she came down. "What are you looking at" Louise asked angrily?
"Nothing I'm just setting the glasses out." Saito said trying to recover.
"Now little Louise just start out watching the other girls so you can get the idea of how to do the job" Scarron instructed her.
"Louise did as she was told and started when she believed she had an understanding of how to do the job. Unfortunately even though she knew what to do it wasn't enough. She couldn't control her temper whenever she was insulted she attacked the customer. It ended up being a long night for her and she ended up making zero money in tips. Saito was the only one of the two to make any money that night because of his work in the kitchen. He ended up being a decent cook.
As the day ended Louise and Saito went up to their room that they had been given for the night. "I can't believe I didn't make any money in tips tonight." Louise groaned as she got into bed.
"It's because you couldn't control your temper whenever someone insulted you. I don't get it at the academy you seem to turn the other cheek no problem. But here the second someone insults you you practically bash their head in."
"That's because their fellow students and Nobles they're just commoners, peasant." Louise explained to Saito.
"Try to keep in mind Louise that right now we're commoners as well. Now let's get to sleep."
"How can you be ok with sleeping in this attic that's the size of a closet? Why is it that I the Daughter of a Duke and a Mage have to sleep in a place like this."
"Because we're undercover Louise so just calm down and go to sleep" Saito said lying down on the floor.
"I don't get it how is it you can adjust to things so quickly and be ok with it" Louise asked perplexed?
"It's because it's what I'm used to. If I didn't understand to adapt with the changing situation both me and my men would have died a long time ago in the field." Saito then closed his eyes and partially fell asleep so he could stay aware of his surroundings.
"I don't get it" Louise mumbled then laid down on the bed. She then heard a squeaking sound and looked up and saw four bats hanging upside down. She got scared and crawled out of bed with the sheets and snuggled up next to Saito.
"What is it?" Saito asked wondering why Louise was sleeping next to him.
"There's some bats up on the ceiling" Louise said scared.
"You know their more scared of you than you are of them right." Saito said comforting then patted her on the head and said "Just try and get some sleep."
Louise did just that for some reason she felt safe sleeping next to Saito. Then she started remembering the dream she had the previous night and blushed as she tried to get to sleep.
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The next day was a little bit better for Louise. One of the other Waitresses asked her why she acted the way she did the other day. "Because they were trying to get handsy with me, and one of them even said to serve him the drink mouth to mouth."
"Oh that can happen sometimes if not most of the time. The best way to get around it is to talk around them and stay out of reach sometimes. You have to remember that these people are drunk so they think it takes just a few words to get us to go home with them. Just keep a smile on be polite and flirt little bit and the drunken idiots will leave great tips."
"Hmm I'll give it a try" Louise said willing to try anything to make better tips, and prove herself.
As the day went on Louise used the advice the other Waitress gave her. She did pretty well with most of the customers there were a few real perverts that she ended up hitting but it wasn't like they didn't deserve it.
Every one seemed happy then the door opened and all of a sudden the merry meant died off. Standing in the door way was a fat man with hair that looked like a bad tope. Standing behind him were what looked to be a medieval version of a mob bosses thugs. Scarron went over to greet him "Lord Gullet how nice it is to see you."
"Looks like business is doing well Scarron" said Gullet as he looked over the establishment.
"Oh no this is just an exception normally this place is practically empty."
"Enough with the formalities I'm here today as a customer.
"I'm so sorry but we don't have a single empty table in the place."
"Let me help you out with that then." He then snapped his fingers and his men moved into position raising their staffs. Every patron in the place immediately stood up to leave knowing there was no point in arguing with the high and mighty Nobility. "Looks like you were right hahahaha some one bring me a drink."
"Hay Jessica who's that" Saito asked?
"That Lord Gullet the local tax collector. If you don't do what he says he'll raise your taxes. He come in here every once in a while and scares off the customers. Then him and his men fondle the girls then leave without paying for anything or leaving any tips. Unfortunately there's nothing you can do about it if you want your business to stay open."
"Sound like a grade A asshole" Saito commented.
"That's an understatement" replied Jessica.
"How may I serve you sir" Louise said to the noble.
"Huh are you hiring boys now. Oh I see she just has small breast uff."
He didn't stand a chance the second those words left his mouth his fate was sealed. Louise slammed the tray over his head. "How dare you comment on the size of my breast."
"How dare you strike a noble men take care of her." His men moved in to apprehend Louise when she pulled out a wand. "Stay back" Louise warned. Unfortunately before she could cast a spell one of the men grabbed her arm and took her wand away.
"Well a fallen Noble this is interesting" Said Gullet.
"Hay buddy you mind letting the girl go" Saito said to the man holding Louise with a tone filled with hatred. The guard turned to address him when he stopped frozen by the gaze Saito was giving him. The look on Saito's face showed no fear or anger but instead showed an overwhelming intent to kill.
Regaining his composure the guard said "how dare you address your superior in such a manner." He then swung a back hand at Saito. To Saito's point of view it might as well have been moving in slow motion. He blocked the attack with his left hand and began to twist the man's arm.
"I said let the girl go" Saito said know with the man on his knees. He obliged and let the Louise go.
"Who are you and how dare you raise a hand to your betters" asked Gullet.
"First let's get something clear you're not my betters" Saito replied.
"It seems like you need to be taught some manners. Get him men" the men started advancing towards Saito to punish him for what he's done.
Saito didn't waste any time he rushed the guard on the right throwing a sucker punch to the gut then kneed him in the crotch. He then swiped the leg out from under the one to the left knocking him off his feet. For that split second he was off his feet he used him like a club and threw him at another thug. Three thugs left they tried using their staffs to cast a spell to Deal with Saito, but he was too fast for them. He punched one in the gut grabbed his staff then threw his knee up when he was hunched over. He then used the staff like a club and knocked the staffs out of their hands then swung the staff like he was the hitter in baseball and hit their heads knocking them out.
"Who… who are you what are you" asked Gullet scared now that his men had been defeated like they were nothing.
"Names Lieutenant Saito Hiraga and your just the kind of person I've been looking for. Figures it would be the tax collector."
"What are you talking about?"
Louise answered his question "the Princess sent us into town to investigate the rumors she's heard about nobles taking advantage of their positions."
"Your lying if you were then you would have a permit" Gullet said trying to discredit them.
"You mean like this one" Saito said unfolding the permit he had put in his pocket.
"Huh a permit from the palace" Gullet said shocked seeing the permit. "Here I'll give you this if you just forget you ever saw me and my men." He then withdrew a sack of gold coins from his belt and offered it up to them to spare him.
"Thanks" Saito said taking the bag. Gullet relaxed greatly when he did this he home free. "This will be a great piece of evidence to use against you. Trying to bribe the person arresting you with the tax money you collected."
"Nooooooooooo"
"Put your hands behind your back" Saito then got out his Zip tie cuffs from his pocket and put them on him. "Hay Louise you better go and get changed when I'm done here we'll drop them off with the palace guards.
Louise went back up to get changed. "So Lieutenant huh" Jessica said walking up to Saito.
"Yep thanks for giving me and Louise a place to stay and inadvertently helping us with our mission."
"It's us that should be thanking you we won't have to deal with this scum bag anymore."
"You should have reported him to the palace. Then this problem would have been settled a lot sooner." Louise came back down the stair just as Saito was finishing up. "Sorry we won't be working with any longer"
"That's Quiet alright come see us again sometime anything you want will be on the house" Scarron said as he waved goodbye to them.
Saito and Louise walked towards the palace with Gullet and his men in tow. When they ran into Agnes at the Gate "Saito, Louise I didn't expect to see you back here so soon."
"Didn't take us that long to find some crooked Nobile's say hello to the tax collector and his men" Saito replied introducing his prisoners.
"Lord Gullet huh I always thought he was living beyond his means good work you two.
"Thanks' they both replied.
