Saber Rider characters belong to their specified animation and branding company. Please don't sue me. All OCs belong to me. Do not use them without my express permission. I sincerely hope you enjoy this story. This stemmed from a dream I had while sick and taking cough syrup. Please review if you feel so inclined, I appreciate feedback.
Two weeks later, Richard has just finished a class when several students come rushing in looking panicked. Looking up, he sees their faces. "What's wrong?" he asks warily.
"There's a guy with a gun in the Lit hall," one man replies as they head away from the door.
Richard stands up and turns off the lights. "Remain here and stay quiet," he says in a whisper. "Shut this door after I go out. Don't come out until an all clear is given." He sees several nods and he heads down the hall, turning the corner.
"Let the woman go," Colt says firmly. "Take whatever ya want from the office an let her go."
"You let me out of here unharmed and I might let her go." comes the reply from an unknown male voice.
Celia whimpers in fear.
"It's alright, Mrs. Lancelot. I'm not gonna let him take you outta this building," Colt says in a soothing tone. "This is your last warning. I don't miss."
The other man laughs and Richard hears two shots and a scream just as he turns the corner. Colt shoots the Outrider who had Celia, it disintegrates instantly and she falls to the floor. A movement catches his eye "Colt! Down!" he calls out in his lighter accent more familiar to the cowboy as he swoops down, shoving Celia to the ground as he fires his blaster at a second assailant, killing him instantly. Wincing when he lands on his still-casted arm.
Colt looks to where the puddle remains of his near assailant, then to the man who just saved his life, then to the other puddle near Celia and Richard, as Richard is putting his blaster away and sitting up, checking on his wife. "Someone had better tell me just what the fuckin' Hell is goin' on here?" he finally says. He then hits his com. "General. Just had two Outriders try an' hurt Mrs. Lancelot. I think we need to talk." He mutters a reply and disconnects before turning back to his charges.
"We need to clear the building first. Make sure all potential Outriders are gone and get the civilians out of here," Richard says matter-of-factly. His mind running mental checks on his condition, his wife's condition, and that of his friend. "Are you injured?" he asks Colt as he does a once-over of him looking for signs of injury. Does he really not know who I am?
Colt looks at the man, still trying to work it all out. "No," he replies as he decides the other man has a point and they begin clearing the building room by room, as other star sheriffs arrive posing as various inspectors and crime scene techs. Soon the building is closed off and taped off, no one permitted to enter the room as Richard, Colt, the general, and Celia are all sitting in Richard's classroom.
"Will someone please let me know what the Hell is going on?" Colt says as they all stand in silence. He looks to Richard, "And how did you know that my friends call me Colt?!"
Richard takes a breath to keep from laughing, despite the situation. "You really weren't briefed on this?" he asks, obviously thrown off, his lilt be lighter than it has been, more familiar to his friend. "I assumed you were just playing along."
Colt looks at the man again, staring at him closely. "Playing along?! Playing along with wha - No…" he mutters as he walks around the man. "No...fuckin' way."
"This a ultra top secret mission, Mr. Wilcox. His identity must hold. However, given that you shot an assailant, we need to change who's here. So I will have to figure out who to assign here. Perhaps someone more inconspicuous."
"So you still believe I'm not compromised?" Richard asks, a bit surprised turning to the general.
"I don't believe so," the general replies as he turns to Celia, who is sitting at Richard's desk, her hands in her lap trying not to breakdown. "You said they were after stuff in the office?" he asks Celia.
"I don't know what they could have wanted. Ms. MacHale's things were all boxed up and sent off, save the-"
"The what?" the general replies. Richard turns to her at her pause as well, his attention diverted from his former teammate.
"The laptop," she replies slowly. "The laptop belonged to the university, but was taken home for use on grades and reports, emails…"
He nods and he looks between them all once more, debating their next move. "We need to borrow that laptop. I'll get permission from the Headmaster."
Celia gives him a small nod.
"Saber?!" Colt finally says as he stands before the other man looking at him closer.
Richard smiles. "Aye, Cowboy. You really had no clue?" he asks, obviously amused at the reaction. "Why didn't you brief him, Sir?" he asks the general.
"I should have, but when you two were in that wreck, I needed to act fast to get an agent to you. I honestly thought he'd figure it out, having been a bounty hunter previously."
"Wait...so this…." he looks to Celia, then to Richard and back several times. "This is all a cover?"
"Not all of it. We are legitimately married," he replies as he sits on the corner of the desk.
Colt looks at his longtime friend again, still in shock. "I...you...look and act so...different."
"I act as I likely would have done had I done this rather than join the command," he replies with a shrug, his accent switching back to his heavier lilt.
Colt looks between the people in the room and shakes his head. "I sure as Hell hope I don't ever have to find you. I had a feelin' somethin' was off, but you're so...different I honestly didn't recognize you."
Richard chuckles. "I honestly was pissed when I was told of this assignment. I thought you had somehow gotten him to go along with it. Some sort of elaborate prank. I did not want this assignment, but overall, it's been fun."
"It's not over yet," the general reminds him. "Mr. Wilcox, report back to Cavalry Command and await orders there. Send word for April and Shinji to be waiting for my arrival. Tell them I will be giving them a new assignment," he says slowly.
"Yes, sir," Colt replies with a nod, casting one last look to Richard and Celia. Married? He shakes his head and smiles, tipping his hat to them as he leaves to do as he's been instructed.