I DO NOT Own Saber Rider or SeiJushi Bismarck. Don't sue me.
Chapter 14: The Rebirth of Chivalry
"So there's a possibility that the Outriders are causing these strange eruptions?" April asks her father over the vid-com.
The commander nods, "I think the likelihood is high given that they suddenly seem to turn up around these areas after the people have fled. I think that perhaps they are using some of the mines to manufacture something, although I have no proof of that at this point."
"It seems likely," Saber replies. "I've noticed a slight pattern to these eruptions and with April's help; we have come up with three possible next targets. If we are correct, then that could help us get in and stop them." He hits a few buttons on a console and a map appears, splitting the com screen with the map. "The places we think are likely targets have the red 'x's on them," he explains. "After looking at the last four incidents, I think the most likely next target will be here," he says, circling an 'x' at the more northern area on the map. "It is part of New Scotland. The land belongs to Baron Wilhelm; and from what I've heard of him from my father, he likes to keep to himself and is not fond of visitors."
"Well, according to our satellites, we've detected possible Outrider activity near by," the commander states. "Perhaps your team should go and speak with him. Tell him what has been happening and explain that you feel that he and his lands could very well be their next target. We can offer him some protection, if he would allow us access to his lands."
Saber nods, "We'll go and attempt to speak with him, sir."
The connection closes and Saber sends the coordinates to Fireball, who turns them towards their destination. After some time, a replica of an old castle comes into view surrounded by mountains and valleys shrouded in haze. "Looks like a good place for someone to hide," Colt mutters as he looks at the scene on the main vid screen.
"Aye, hence the reason we feel this is a highly probable target for the Outriders," Saber replies before turning to Fireball, "We've been granted permission to land just to the east of the castle, Fireball. There is a landing pad and we are to disembark there, where we will be greeted by a sentry."
"Sentry?" both Fireball and Colt ask.
"A member of his security," Saber replies.
"I thought you said he lives alone," Fireball asks as they begin their descent.
"I said he doesn't like visitors, I never claimed he lived alone. He keeps a small number of people in his service."
"Well, today must be the day for social calls, it appears someone else is already here," Fireball replies, nodding towards a ship on a pad not far from where they are setting down.
"Well, that would be unusual. Perhaps he has some business to attend to," Saber muses as they land and disembark, greeting the sentry at the foot of the ramp.
"We are here to speak with Baron Wilhelm on behalf of Cavalry Command," Saber states to the sentry.
"The baron is currently in a meeting. You may wait in the foyer," the sentry replies before turning and leading them into the castle.
April and Colt look around in awe as they are led through a few corridors, along a hallway with huge windows overlooking the Baron's vast lands.
"I could live in a place like this," April says with admiration.
Colt chuckles, "It's a bit too fancy for me. I'd be afraid of breaking something."
Saber walks a little ahead of the group, pointedly looking around for signs of trouble.
"Wait here until you are called for," the sentry states before leaving the four alone in the room.
"He could have offered us a chair or something," Fireball mutters.
"As I said, he rarely hosts visitors," Saber replies just as a couple of men leave an office and wordlessly walk past them. Saber notices that the men seem to make a point of not making eye contact, and he watches them until they turn a corner, heading out of the castle.
After a minute or so, Colt quietly steps away and makes to follow them.
The office doors open again and the sentry steps out, "The Baron will see you now."
They nod and the three remaining of the crew enter the office. "We thank you for allowing us an audience, Baron Wilhelm," Saber says after they stop in front of the Baron's desk.
"I'd like to know exactly why you have requested an audience with me," the Baron replies, not bothering to turn in their direction.
"I'm sure by now that you have heard about the odd volcanic eruptions that keep happening," Saber asks.
"I have. What does this have to do with me?" he asks, casting a wary glance.
"We have run through several scenarios and we feel that your land would most likely be a prime location for those that we have reason to suspect to be causing these eruptions. We have come to offer your protection, in exchange, all we ask is that you allow us to be here to watch for the Outriders, so that we may stop them."
"So the man was right," the Baron states as he turns around, with a sword in hand and swings it, stopping inches from Saber's face.
Saber holds his gaze, not flinching when the sword stops so close.
"They told me that they would send you. That you want my land for yourself."
"Who told you that?" Fireball asks stepping up beside Saber.
"You do not interfere. This is between Nobles of this country. You are of little consequence to me," the Baron replies. "Now leave, all of you. I will not give up my land!"
Fireball goes to make another retort when Saber holds out his hand to stop him. "As you wish," he replies and turns to leave, forcing the other two to follow him.
They leave and park a ways off, watching the property from afar. They see the Baron and his servants setting up for what appears to be a fox hunt. One of the men releases a mechanical fox and gives the signal and the Baron sends in the dogs, the fox running on ahead of them.
"What is he doing? Why would anyone want to hunt at a time like this?" Fireball asks.
"It is traditionally a way for clansmen to relax," Saber replies.
"But he's in danger. It's plain stupid."
"I know that, and you know that, but he feels that because of where he is, and his reputation that no one will actually dare to bother him. Until he learns otherwise, all we can do is try and protect him from a distance."
The hunt goes on and the Baron is gaining on the fox and readies to fire when he is hit by a blaster, causing him to drop his weapon. "What is this?" he asks looking around to find himself surrounded by Outriders.
"You won't join us, then we'll take this land by force," the apparent leader states, his men all aiming their guns at the Baron.
"I don't believe that's how this is going to play out," A voice calls from a nearby tree.
The Outrider soldiers turn and look to find Saber Rider leaning against the trunk. "I suggest you leave now, or you won't be leaving alive," he says as he jumps down and lands on the ground.
"We'll see about that," the leader calls and several start for him.
He takes them out quickly, slicing most of them and causing them to disintegrate. The couple remaining soldiers retreat, leaving Saber and the Baron alone. "We need to talk, Baron Wilhelm," Saber states simply.
He nods, "Come and sit with me a while." They return to the castle and start talking over a game of chess. "Why did you return here? I told you to leave and yet you came to my aid."
"I have sworn the oath of a soldier. My duty is to protect the people," Saber replies.
"So I am like a king, and you a knight," the Baron muses.
"I suppose that's one take on this situation," Saber acknowledges. "Now, will you admit that you need our help?"
The Baron stands up, "You were lucky this time, but I told you I do not need your help. I will not allow you to take my land from me!" he shouts in anger. "Now again you ask, leave here and don't come back!"
Saber quietly stands up and leaves, without another word. Returning to the Bismarck, he finds the others in discussion of the current situation. They cease their discussions and look at him expectantly when he plops down onto a bench.
"Things sure are starting to heat up around here," Colt quips.
"So you think the Outriders are going ahead with their plans?" Saber asks as he glances at the images projected on the wall.
"Yep. It appears so. Something that should take hundreds of years has happened just over the last couple of days," April replies.
"It's like they are messing with nature itself," Fireball adds.
Saber sighs and stands up, looking over the images more carefully. "You think this is where the Outriders are working from?" he asks.
April nods, "It's my best guess."
Saber looks at the images once more and nods, "The three of you go and do what you can to stop them."
"What are you going to do?" Fireball asks.
"The only thing that the Baron will take seriously," Saber states. "I'm going to use my status as a fellow Nobleman and challenge him to a duel." The other three look at him in shock. "It's the only way he will accept what we are telling him as truth. If I win, he will have to allow me to call the shots."
"What if you don't?" Colt asks.
"Then I die trying," Saber replies.
"But you have to kill him to win?" April asks.
Saber shakes his head, "No, just disarm him. His pride would force him to duel to my death. I do not believe it is necessary, to make my point." He pauses in thought before continuing, "Go on and do what you can. I must go and see the Baron." He grabs his helmet and leaves.
The others sit in shock for a moment, watching Saber return once again to the castle before taking off to try and stop the Outriders.
Saber enters the castle and after some searching sees the Baron heading into his basement and follows him. The baron stops at the edge of an underground lake and stoops down and scoops some of the water into his hand, quickly letting it fall between his fingers, steam coming from it.
"As I told you, the water is heating up because there is lava flowing beneath your lake," Saber says as he walks over to the Baron.
"I told you to never return, Rider."
"I've decided that since you won't listen to reason, I will reach you the only way I can. I know your reputation as a master swordsman, but it has been years since anyone has challenged you. I think perhaps you're not as good as you once were. So as one Nobleman to another, I challenge you, Baron. If I win, you let me call the shots in defense of your castle, if it's not too late by then."
They walk back up to the Baron's office and he grabs a sword. "How dare you come into my castle and challenge me. I am a living legend. Prepare to die here," the Baron states as he lunges towards Saber, sword swinging towards him.
Saber blocks him and they parry back and forth for a while, each gaining the upper hand a few times. The fight moves out to the balcony, the Baron forcing Saber back, as he ends up at the edge. The baron swings and Saber loses his balance, managing to grab the ledge, but hanging off. The Baron looks down and smirks, "Looks like you have lost. You fought well, your family will know you die with honor."
"My apologies, Sir, but I thought we were still fighting," Saber retorts as he pulls himself up and strikes towards the Baron. The Baron barely blocks it and then Saber parries and knocks him to the floor of the balcony and disarms him, his sword aimed at his throat, "Now Baron, who told you that we were here to take your land?"
The Baron acknowledges his defeat and sighs, "The man that was leaving when you arrived. He said his name was Zatola, I believe. He said that Calvary Command was sending you to challenge me and take my land."
"Well, he lied," Saber replies. I have no int-"
He is interrupted by a volcano erupting nearby, causing both him and the Baron to turn and look.
"My land!" the Baron cries.
"That is what I was trying to warn you about," Saber states.
The Baron turns quickly, running back into the castle.
"What are you doing?" Saber calls after him.
"Trying to stop them!" the Baron replies as he rushes through the office and down to the basement and getting into a fighter plane.
"We've got trouble, Fireball," April calls. "I've got something come out of that lava and fast."
"I see it, April," he replies. Let's go to challenge phase," he says as he hits the button to begin the transformation. They barely complete it before the unit is upon them and shoving them into the lava.
"We've got to get out of this," Fireball says with gritted teeth.
"How are you three holding up?" Saber calls over his com-link.
"Oh we're doing great. We could use a little help here," Fireball calls back.
"I'm afraid I don't have a way to reach you right now," Saber replies. "Although you may have some help from an unlikely source."
"What do you mean?" Fireball asks as they shove the enemy unit back out of the lava and fire, causing it to pull back for a moment.
"The Baron is in an older model fighter jet. He says he's going to try and stop the lava from reaching the castle."
"What?!" Fireball asks as they are hit again by the enemy unit and thrown back and the jet flies past them and fires not far from the castle. "What is he doing?!"
"He's trying to break through the moat," Saber replies. "It's the only way to save this castle."
The Baron fires a couple more shots and finally succeeds in re-routing the lava back underground and away from the castle.
Colt aims and hits the enemy unit with all of their firepower and Fireball hurls it into the lava, where it explodes. "Looks like that one's done," Colt quips. They scan for more enemy units and finding none, they revert back to the ship mode and land beside the castle, where Saber and the Baron are talking.
"Thank you, Lord Rider for reminding me that I am not always right," the Baron says, clasping Saber's hand in his. "I would not have my land had you not stood up to me."
"You're a good man, Baron Wilhelm. It takes a bigger man to admit when he is wrong."
The Baron smiles and then releasing his hand, turns and signals for one of his servant's to bring forth a box. "This is for you. It is a gift to show my appreciation, one nobleman to another," the Baron states as the man hands Saber a box after opening it to reveal a set of bagpipes done up in the Rider's colors.
Saber nods in appreciation and then goes to change before wishing the Baron well and going to meet his friends in the hallway outside the office, dressed in full clan attire.
"What the?" Fireball says giving him an amused glance.
"A gift from the Baron," Saber replies.
"Are those real bagpipes?" April asks intrigued.
Saber nods, "Aye, they are." He plays a quick sound to demonstrate, making the others jump at the volume they put out, causing all of them to laugh. "Perhaps I should practice these outdoors for a while, until I'm used to them," he says with a laugh.