I don't own Saber Rider or SeiJushi Bismark, so don't sue me.
Chapter 10: The Little Sherriff
"You see anything?" A young man asks another soldier as they sit in what appears to be some sort of control tower.
"Nothing. It's the same every night. I don't see why we have to always be on guard. Obviously the Outriders have moved on from here. Nothing exciting has happened in more than a year."
"Hey, you see that?" the other man asks, pointing out the window.
"It's just meteors."
"I don't have any on radar. I have a bad feeling about it. We should report it."
"Right," the other man says with a nod. "I'll make the call to Cavalry Command," he says as he heads to another part of the tower.
"Well, it looks like we can finally relax for a while," Colt says as he stands up and looks out the windows of the Bismarck ship as it heads towards a city. "I'm lookin' forward to meeting me a few nice girls. They like soldiers, I hear," he adds getting a look of distaste from April.
"Women are not there just for your pleasure, Colt," Fireball adds with a roll of his eyes.
"I happen to think very highly of women," Colt retorts. "Their eyes, their hair, their..."
"You're such a pig!" April retorts before he can finish his statement.
Colt goes to reply when Saber speaks up. "Looks like we'll have to postpone the R & R. We've just received a call from Cavalry Command. There have been some possible sightings of Outriders near Ganymede. It has been requested that we should go and check it out."
"Does my father know that we're being re-routed?" April asks.
Saber shakes his head. "I don't think so."
"You call him, April. I don't want to be the one to tell him you're not coming," Fireball says.
April rolls her eyes. "I'll do that."
"I'm looking into what the area is like near the outpost," Saber states.
Colt walks over to Saber's unit. "I can save ya the trouble. It's full of mines. Silver mines mostly. I bet we could get us a enough silver and make it rich while we're there."
"You're always trying to think of ways to get rich quick, Cowboy," Fireball retorts.
Saber sighs and shakes his head and stands up in front of Colt, making sure to emphasize his authority. "You are no longer a bounty hunter, Colt. As a member of this team you are considered an officer of the law, so you may not indulge your personal greed."
"And just who's gonna stop me?" Colt says, standing up as tall as he can, but still not quite reaching Saber's stature.
Saber manages to keep a straight face, but makes a point of looking down at him. "Unless you grow up a bit, I won't have much trouble stopping you," he says firmly.
Colt backs off, but glares in Saber's direction as he goes and plops down into the seat of his unit. "I still say we should at least see if the mines are real," he mutters.
They fly in silence for a while, each occupied with their own thoughts.
"We're approaching Ganymede, Saber," Fireball says, breaking the silence.
Saber nods. "Let's start looking for a place to land. We're still a good ways from the outpost, but close to the coordinates they sent of where the meteors hit."
Fireball nods. "I'm working on finding a place to land. It's like something is interfering with the equipment," Fireball says sounding agitated.
"I'm tellin' ya, it's the mines. They're full of silver and other metals. We could easily make enough to retire," Colt states, getting a look from Saber.
Fireball stifles a laugh, and Saber sighs. "Let me see if I can do any better, Fireball," Saber says as he hits several buttons on his terminal. "It looks like there's a clearing up ahead we can use. Sending you the coordinates now."
"Got 'em," Fireball replies as he sees a visual of the land below. "Looks like as good a spot as any."
They land and Saber, Fireball, and Colt head out and down the ramp to look around. "We should be fairly close to where one of the meteors hit," Saber states as the trio look around. Suddenly, they are met with fire, and they dive for cover.
"Outrider fighters!" Fireball calls out.
"Aye. It appears that we were expected," Saber replies as they fire at their attackers, blowing up the enemy fighters.
Fireball and Saber turn in time to see Colt racing out in his Bronco Buster from the cargo hold and flag him down. "The fighters headed west, Colt," Saber states.
"He won't be for long. I'll get 'em," Colt replies before taking off after the enemy fighter. He follows the fighter for a mile or so before hitting it and causing the pilot to eject. He lands and hops out, holding his blaster ready to fire. "What are ya doin' here?" He asks.
The Outrider pilot just laughs. "I'm not telling you anything, human," he taunts and goes to fire at Colt when he is hit by a blast that kills him.
Colt looks around wildly for the source of the shot, his blaster ready. "Come out now and lower your weapon!" Colt calls out, his blaster aimed to where the shot came from. A boy who looked to be between eight and ten years old steps out from behind some bushes and a tree, his rifle resting on his shoulder. "Wha-?" Colt mutters. "What do ya think you're doin' out here?" he asks the boy. "You could have gotten yourself killed!"
The boy stiffens and looks up at Colt. "I...I heard shootin' and came to investigate," the boy says defiantly. "And then I saw that Outrider and he was gonna shoot you, so I shot him."
Colt looks around for signs of anyone else with the boy. "Where are your parents?" he asks.
The boy's lip quivers, but he takes a breath before answering to compose himself. "They got 'em," he replies. "All of them. They are in the mines. I...I got away," he adds quietly.
Colt thinks for a minute, still looking for signs of a trap before speaking, "Come on. I'm takin' you with me. I want you to tell the others about what has happened and then we'll see what can be done." The boy looks a bit frightened and ready to run when Colt places a hand firmly on his shoulder. "We're Star Sheriffs, we will do what we can to help ya," Colt says as he leads the boy back to his Bronco Buster.
"Well, Colt just called. He's on his way back with a kid," Fireball says as he heads down the ramp.
Saber and April both cast him curious looks just as Colt pulls up and gets out, the boy in tow.
"Who is your friend, Colt?" April asks coming up to the pair. The boy flinches and April places a gentle hand on his shoulder. "What's your name?" she asks kindly. The boy looks down, unsure of the present company.
"He's been actin' like this since I found him," Colt states obviously irritated.
"Aw, come on, Colt. He's probably just scared. It's plain to see he's had it rough," April replies as she gets down on the boy's level. "Come on, now. We can't help you if we don't know what to call you," April prods with a smile. "My name's April. What's your name?"
The boy takes a breath and sighs. "Domingo," he mutters barely audible.
"Ok, Domingo, can you tell us what you're doing out in the woods alone and with a gun?" she asks.
The boy fights back tears and looks at April, then to the others waiting for his reply before staring at the ground again, "Them Outriders, they showed up one night and rounded everybody up and into the mines. Kids and everything. They have us diggin' to find anything of value," he states. "If we stop or get hurt they take us away," he adds fighting back tears. "They killed my parent's and a lot of others too that tried to fight 'em."
"I understand how ya feel. My parent's were killed by the Outriders too," Colt states quietly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Where is this mine?" Saber asks, startling the boy, and breaking the silence that had fallen amongst them.
"Um...I...I can show you. I can show you the way that I used to escape. The others are countin' on me to save them before they all die down there," Domingo replies.
Saber glances to his companions, who each give a slight nod to his unspoken question, before turning to April. "Why don't you monitor things from the Bismarck and we'll go and scope out this place with Domingo?" Saber asks, getting a nod in reply. He nods and looks to the other. "Let's go and see just what we're up against. Perhaps we can find a way to get at least some of the people out safely."
The trio take the boy and depart towards the mines, the boy acting as their guide, they are heading through some rocky terrain, then they cross a river, winding up near an entrance to the mines. They see several trucks and carts, as well as soldiers guarding the entrance.
"It certainly looks like they are digging for something," Saber states as they watch from the cover of shrubbery a bit away from the entrance. "We need to get closer to see if there is another way in."
"Come on, there's another way in down the river bank a ways," Domingo states quietly.
"Show us," Fireball says.
They four head through a break in the rocks not far from the river when a patrolling guard spots them and alerts other. A gunfight ensues, causing all of them to scatter and dive for cover. After some time, Saber comes out and diverts some of the fire away from the others, to give them time to advance and even their chances. He manages to destroy some of the fighters as a result.
The Outriders focus their efforts on Fireball and Saber, Colt seizes the oppurtunity for him and the boy to break away. Spotting an enemy coming up behind Domingo, he kills him before the Outrider has a chance to get a shot off.
"Thanks," Domingo replies to Colt.
"Can you show me where that cave is you were talkin' about?" Colt asks the boy. Domingo nods and leads him to a rear entrance and they head for the cave, hoping to avoid further detection.
"It looks more like a vent shaft if ya ask me," Colt quips as he peers down into the cave.
"It is a vent shaft. But that's why it's easy to get in and out. But they might be lookin' more carefully now that I've escaped."
Colt nods. "You stay here and outta sight. I'm gonna go in and see what's happening. I'll come back here shortly, hide if anyone approaches," Colt says.
Domingo nods and squats down into the cover of some nearby bushes.
Colt nods satisfied and slowly makes his way down the shaft. After reaching an area high enough to stand in, he slowly moves so he can get a better look at things. Once he's to the end of one of the tunnels, he spots a few guards and kills them before they have a chance to sound an alarm. After a brief foray, Colt is able to gather a few of the captured townspeople and lead them in an attempt to escape. The group is met by fierce resistance and Colt does his best to get as far out as he can. They are closing in on an exit when the group gets pinned down. He fires shots that kill several Outriders before he has to recharge his blaster. Stepping back into a corridor for protection he hears several voices heading his way, then the sounds of a fight. He jumps into help fight only to find both Fireball and Saber heading his way, leaving a trail of dead Outriders in their wake.
"This way, Cowboy," Fireball calls.
Colt nods and turns to signal the crowd behind them and they all make a run for it to try and escape. As the group is running, they come across a set of tracks with mining cars.
"Where do these come out?" Saber asks the group.
"These are the ones that head out of the mine. We fill them and then they go to a loading dock outside," One of the men says.
"Let's go," Fireball says with nod, motioning to get in the carts.
"I'll take up the rear," Colt says.
They start heading out and seem to be in the clear when shots are fired from behind, nearly hitting Colt. "What the?" Colt starts to say when he spots some Outrider soldiers heading for them in another group of mining cars. "Hey guys, We've got company!"
"We noticed, Cowboy," Saber retorts. "Everybody down," He says to the townspeople as the hunker down as best they can to avoid being hit.
"Uh, I don't think that's good," Fireball says and Saber turns to see that the gates ahead are dropping down in an attempt to block them in.
"This is going to get rough. Hold on, everyone," Saber calls as Fireball tries to pull the breaks on the cars.
"This isn't working fast enough," Fireball states as the townspeople scream in terror. "Our packs, we can use them to slow this thing down."
"Right," Saber says as they turn and activate their packs, effectively slowing down the cars, but the still crash into the wall, slamming the two of them against it with a thud.
"Well, it could've been worse." Fireball says as he gets up.
"Aye. I bet we'll feel that one in the morning," Saber mutters as he looks around after climbing out of the car. "We're trapped. But there has to be a way out of here."
"What was that noise?" Fireball asks as he looks around for the source of the sound. "Sounds kinda like water."l
"Looks like things are gonna get wet around here," Colt says as the area begins filling up with water.
"We've got to get out of here fast!" Saber says urgently. He presses something on his helmet as the water begins rising quickly. "April, we're in a bind and need help quickly." He sighs after getting no reply. "Damn. I think the water is messing with the suit, I can't seem to connect," he states while trying to tread the rising water.
A few rocks fall from the ceiling and then Domingo pops his head through. "Need a hand?" he asks with a grin and they user the townsfolk through before taking off down a corridor above. "This way!" Domingo calls as he leads them out of the mine, into daylight.
They are looking for a place to go when a Renegade unit appears.
"Domingo, take the people to find cover and lay low until we get this unit," Fireball says.
"Got it," the boy replies and he takes off in the opposite direction, with the people behind him.
"April, can you hear me?" Fireball calls.
"Go ahead," April replies.
"Got a Renegade unit coming after us. We need help and fast."
"On my way!"
The trio spread out and start fighting the unit as best they can, but not managing to damage the unit. After what feels like an eternity April shows up and starts drawing the Renegade unit's fire.
"Let's get in there!" Fireball calls and they head for the open ramp, it closes once they're in the ship. They reach their units and Fireball activates the Challenge Phase. "Let's end this."
They both fight, the Renegade seeming to have the advantage when it uses a grappling hook and throws the Bismarck off balance and fires, hitting them.
"We can't afford another hit like that!" Saber calls as they fire a shot that knocks off the enemy unit's arm. "Get ready, Colt."
"Got it," Colt replies and readies to fire the main weapons.
"Wait for it..." Saber says. "And...Fire!"
Colt fires as they turn back towards the enemy unit after dodging an attack. All their firepower aimed at the unit and it blows up and disintegrates from the hit. "That's the end of that one."
A short time later, they are standing on a hillside outside of what remains of the town. Colt is helping erect a grave marker. "This is the last one," Colt says as he stands beside the boy, the others back a little from them. "These were your parents, right?" he asks.
Domingo nods solemnly. "Yeah. So many people are dead. I want to help fight so that we can move on," he replies quietly.
Colt places a hand on the boy's shoulder. "They would be proud of you, Domingo." The boy smiles up at him and nods slightly. "You know if the Outriders come back, call us. We'll do our best to come and help. If it hadn't been for your bravery, all of them would have died. You are strong. Just always remember their sacrifices."
"I will," Domingo says firmly, fighting back tears. They all stand in silence as the sun sets behind the hillside, illuminating the grave markers as if in remembrance of the fallen.