Saber Dolls G
A Saber Marionette Fanfiction
By BG-57
Program 03: Redemption
A solitary Marionette trudged along a mountain path cursing her luck. Panther was wearing blue shorts and a red jacket over a dark blue shirt. A red bandanna was wrapped around her upper arm, just below the exposed square seams near her shoulders.
"Why can't he live in town like everyone else?" she muttered.
The cobblestone trail winded up the side of a hill. As she reached a torii gate at the top she could make out a clearing with a small run down shrine at one end with a porch. A thin man with long black hair was practicing swings with a wooden sword. He was dressed in a blue tunic under a long sleeved purple robe. She folded her arms across her chest.
"Herr Ruebens?" she called out.
He stopped in mid swing, but he did not turn around.
"I don't go by that name now," he said.
Panther waved a hand. "Sorry, I never knew you as Soemon."
He turned to regard her. "It's been a while Panther."
She shrugged. "Whatever. What do you want?"
He smiled. "Blunt as ever I see. Let's go inside."
He led her inside. The interior was Spartan, with few decorations on the walls. In the center of the room was a sunken fireplace. He smiled to a Marionette sitting by the door. She had brown hair and was dressed in a red kimono with a yellow obi.
"Koyuki, tea for two please," he said touching her arm affectionately.
Koyuki began brewing green tea. Soemon and Panther sat next to the fireplace.
"I received a message from Gartlant this morning," he said, "From a member of the Provisional Council."
Panther's eyebrow twitched. "Those are the jerks that banished Lord Faust! What did they want?"
"He told me the Provisional Council wants Lord Faust to return to Gartlant," said Soemon, "They need his help."
Panther blanched. "He said that?"
Soemon smiled quietly. "Not in so many words. But I could tell he was worried."
Panther shook her head. "Wait, why did they contact you then? Why not ask Lord Faust?"
Soemon looked grim. "I still have many contacts in Gartlant. I suspect he didn't want this to be known publicly."
Panther slammed a fist on the table. "Damn them! I ought to go over there and teach them a lesson!"
He nodded. "You'll get your chance."
Koyuki served them cups of tea.
Panther angrily drunk hers in one gulp, then stared out of the window.
Someon sipped his tea. "I'm sure Lord Faust still feels responsible for Gartlant, even if he is unwelcome there."
She looked back at him sadly. "I know. How can we protect Lord Faust from himself?"
Soemon put down his cup. "I think you'll manage. Just be careful."
She nodded and stood. "Thanks for the tea," she said to Koyuki.
"Panther?" asked Soemon.
She stopped at the door. "What?"
He looked at her, his green eyes barely visible. "Give Lord Faust my regards."
Faust sat impassively in the room above the diner. He looked at each of the Saber Dolls in turn.
"Reactions?" he asked.
They looked at each other.
"It could be a trap my Lord," said Tiger.
"The Provisional Council would think of nothing of using you for their own ends," added Luchs.
"I don't trust them!" said Panther vehemently.
He stood and walked over to the window overlooking the bustling street below.
"What do I owe to the people of Gartlant?" he asked quietly.
The Saber Dolls looked at other despairingly.
Tiger went over to him. "My Lord, they told you never return to Gartlant."
He turned to her. "I created Gartlant with my own hands. They are my responsibility."
Tiger sighed and looked down. He put a hand on her shoulder. She blushed and looked back up at him.
"I would never go back unless you agree," he said.
She covered his hand with hers. "Yes my Lord. I will follow you anywhere."
Panther touched her forehead. "Oh, all right! We'll go!"
He looked to Luchs. "We'll stay if you say so."
She shook her head and sighed. "I still think it's dangerous but we should go. You'd never be able to live with yourself my Lord and I can't have that."
Faust nodded. "Do you have a plan?"
She smiled. "My Lord, I always have a plan."
He looked solemn. "I'm sorry to be such a burden."
"Not at all my Lord," said Tiger, squeezing his hand.
"We'll protect you!" added Panther punching a fist into her palm.
"It just gives us another reason to admire you," said Luchs.
"Thank you all," he replied, "Now let's go say our farewells."
Lorelei was monitoring the clone tanks in Castle Japoness when she heard footsteps behind. She turned around. She was wearing glasses and a white lab coat over a plain gray tunic.
"Lord Faust!" she said.
He walked over to her. "Lorelei, I'm leaving for Gartlant tonight."
She looked worried. "That sounds dangerous."
He stood next to her and watched the embryonic clones in the cylindrical tanks. "It will be."
"Do you have to go?" she asked.
He nodded.
"I wish I could go with you," she said eventually.
He smiled darkly. "I doubt you'd like Gartlant."
She shook her head. "I don't care about sightseeing. I'd want to meet the people."
He stuck his hands in his jacket pockets. "Unfortunately the people you'd like are the one who hate me the most. Not that I blame them."
She smiled to him. "If I can see your goodness, then they will too eventually."
He seemed philosophical. "I'm more worried about you. You need someone to look after you."
"I have Baiko and Tamasaburo to protect me," she replied.
He shook his head. "I meant someone to confide in. You need friends."
She looked up at him. "Well, I have Otaru and his Marionettes."
"Don't you think Otaru Mamiya looks a lot like Ieyasu the First?" he inquired.
She frowned a bit. "Now that you mention it, he does."
"If he had survived, would you.?" he started.
"Would what?" she asked.
He sighed and shook his head. "Never mind. It doesn't matter now."
"Well take care of yourself," she said.
He nodded. "I will."
"And take care of the Saber Dolls," she added, "Especially Tiger."
"Of course," he replied.
"Be gentle with their hearts please," she said.
"I'd never treat them as playthings now," he said, "But I do not know how to love them the way they deserve."
"Just be true to yourself," she replied.
He looked faintly amused. "Ironic that I come to you for advice."
She smiled sadly. "I'll always be your friend Lord Faust, no matter what."
He nodded. "I know. It means a lot to me."
He left through a metal door. It shut behind him, returning the room to darkness.
"You're leaving?" asked Lime, on the verge of tears.
"Oh don't start crying again," said Tiger sadly.
They were standing outside Otaru's apartment, with a pair of sliding paper doors emblazoned with Otaru's name on both panels.
"Now, don't make things harder for them," said Otaru, placing his hand on Lime's head.
"But I don't want them to go!" she cried.
"Honestly Lime, don't be such a baby!" chided Cherry.
"Thank you for your training Cherry," said Luchs bowing.
Cherry returned with a deeper bow. "Oh no, I wasn't that much help!"
Luchs bowed to Otaru as well. "Thank you for your research data."
Otaru blushed beet-red and rubbed his head in embarrassment. "Ah.you're welcome."
Bloodberry wrapped her arms around Otaru. "Hey Otaru, can I do research on you too?"
"I feel sorry for him," said Panther to Luchs.
"What was that?" demanded Bloodberry, holding up a fist.
Panther grinned and held up her hands. "Just kidding! Calm down!"
Bloodberry sighed and tossed a bottle to Panther. She barely caught it.
"Why are you giving me sake?" asked Panther.
"Send me a bottle of your best Gartlant rockgut in exchange," she replied.
Panther smiled broadly. "Sure. I hope you like schnapps."
Lime hugged Tiger. "Come back soon!" she bawled.
Tiger began to cry herself. "I don't know how long we'll be gone Lime."
"We have to be going," said Luchs.
Tiger embraced Lime. "Tell Lord Faust I'll catch up."
Panther and Luchs nodded and headed off towards the main gate.
"You'd follow your Master anywhere?" asked Tiger.
Lime nodded. "Of course!"
"Then you know why I have to go," she said.
Lime nodded again. "Yeah."
"Write to me, okay?" she said.
"Sure!" said Lime.
Lime let go and Tiger smiled to her.
"Take care of Otaru," she said.
Lime dried her tears. "I'll take care of him!"
"Good luck Tiger," said Otaru, "If you need anything, let me know."
Tiger looked thoughtful. "Actually there may be."
"Name it," he said, grinning.
"Could you write a letter of reference?" she asked.
The road was winding and dusty. Faust had been driving most of the night. As they came over the ridge they saw a long narrow building embedded into a mountainside. It was balanced precariously on the mountain with most of it looming over the slope, with no support underneath.
"The Summer Residence looks the same," commented Luchs, sitting with the other Saber Dolls in the back seat.
"The Provisional Council wants to meet us outside of the city," said Faust.
"Like they're ashamed to meet us!" said Panther angrily.
"Let's see what they have to say," replied Faust.
They drove into a tunnel carved out of the foot of the mountain. They drove through several security doors until they reached an underground parking garage filled with several other vehicles, many of them military.
They all climbed out and looked around the otherwise empty garage.
"Nobody here to welcome us," said Tiger anxiously.
"We know our way around," said Faust, heading for the elevator.
They all climbed in and Faust hit the button for the top floor. It efficiently whirred to life and carried them up thirty stories to the top level. The doors opened, revealing an enormous open space with a low ceiling. Banks of windows along the sides of the elongated room provided dim illumination. The only change was a long conference table. Sitting on one side were military officers, resplendent in dark gray tunics with epaulets, baggy pants and combat boots. Sitting on the other side were few faces familiar to Faust, most of them looked like businessmen and ordinary citizens. Several of the officers stood when Faust entered. Everyone else remained seated.
"Thank you for coming Gelhardt Faust," said a frail old man rising. He had a long white beard and gray colored cloak wrapped around his shoulders.
"Thank you for inviting me," said Faust.
The old man gestured for him to sit and they all did so. The Saber Dolls stood to either side of Faust.
"It's good to see you my Lord," said an officer wearing an arm cast. He had brown hair slicked back and had a conniving expression.
"What happened to your arm Colonel Roland?" asked Faust.
"A small accident my Fuhrer," he said mysteriously glaring at Tiger.
"Don't call him that!" yelled a young man with dark hair sitting across from Roland.
"Why not?" retorted Roland.
"Calm down both of you," said the old man sternly.
"I hold no title in Gartlant now," said Faust.
The officers looked dismayed.
"Many in the Gartlant military feel as Colonel Roland does," said the old man, "And that is adding to our problems."
"The only reason we're having problems is because we're going too easy on the civilians," said another officer, "We're already getting signs of civil unrest. The next step is anarchy!"
"The military was built on the backs of the people!" snapped a businessman.
"That is true," said Faust.
The Council fell silent and regarded him.
"I built Gartlant for conquest and brought nothing but ruin to the people," he said.
"You'll get no sympathy from us," said the old man, "A power hungry dictator can't afford any."
Panther slammed a fist onto the table. "Enough! Lord Faust has repented and all you can do is blame him for everything!"
"Faust, control your Marionette!" snapped a young man with blond hair.
Faust folded his arms across his chest. "Her opinion counts as much as mine," he replied.
"This was a mistake Grandpa," said the blond man.
Tiger looked surprised. "You're the man they call Grandpa?" she asked him.
He nodded. "I wish they wouldn't."
She walked over to him and handed him a letter. "This is from Otaru Mamiya."
The old man's face lit up. "Otaru!" He hastily read through the letter.
"What does it say?" asked Roland.
"It vouches for Faust's good character," he replied.
There was murmuring among the civilian councilors.
"We'll need to discuss this more Faust," said the old man. "We've prepared a room for you. We'll summon you back later."
Panther angrily paced the room. It was ornate, with overwrought baroque decorations, complete with a four poster bed and end tables.
"How long are they going to make us wait?" she asked.
Faust sat in a chair by the wall. "I don't know."
Tiger was sitting on the bed. "I wish we could leave."
"We will if you want." He replied.
She shook her head.
There was a knock on the door. Panther walked over and opened it, and saw Luchs standing there.
"A member of the Provisional Council is here to see Lord Faust," she said.
"Why now?" asked Panther.
"Because he wasn't at the meeting," she replied.
"Show him in," said Faust.
Luchs led in a man with spiky blond hair and cross-shaped earrings. He wore a Garlant uniform complete with epaulets and a cravat around his throat. He smiled evenly at Faust.
"Greetings my Lord," he said.
Faust looked shocked. "Ruebens! What are you doing here?"
"I was asked to join the Provisional Council," he said, "I said I would if they asked you to advise them on forming a new government."
Faust frowned. "You should have stayed in Japoness."
He nodded. "Well that would have been the sensible thing to do. But I sense you have the chance to become the truly great leader you were always capable of being."
Faust held up a hand. "You give me too much credit Ruebens."
"He's right though my Lord," said Luchs.
"We all feel that way about you," said Panther.
Faust turned to the Saber Dolls. "Leave us alone please."
After they left he stood and shook Ruebens' hand. "Thank you for being here. I need someone I can trust."
"I wouldn't trust me my Lord," he said with a twinkle.
"There is something I need to do," said Faust, "Will you help me?"
Ruebens nodded. "Yes, but why ask me? Why not the ask Saber Dolls?"
Faust shook his head. "This is something I promised you a long time ago and never delivered."
Ruebens frowned. "A maiden circuit? Forget about it."
Faust seized his arm. "Do you honestly mean that?" he demanded.
Ruebens looked ashamed. ".no my Lord."
"Good, let's go then," he said.
As the door opened the Saber Dolls in the hallway stood at attention.
"Lord Faust!" said Tiger.
"You three go see the man they call Grandpa," said Faust, "Ask how much longer we'll have to wait."
They knelt before him. "Yes my Lord!" they said together.
After they left Faust opened the door again.
"The coast is clear Ruebens," said Faust.
He came out of the room. "My Lord this is a bad idea."
Faust grimaced. "I don't care. I owe it to you."
The Saber Dolls reached the door of an office. The guards watched them intently. Tiger knocked politely. The door opened. Grandpa stood there.
"Tiger!" he said, "This is a surprise!"
Tiger nodded. "Lord Faust wants to know how much longer we'll have to wait."
He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It'll be a few hours at least."
"Sorry to disturb you," said Luchs.
"It's all right," he said.
They walked down the hallway back to the room.
"Why did he need to send all three of us?" asked Luchs.
"Maybe he wanted to talk with Ruebens alone," suggested Panther.
"Luchs has a point," said Tiger in a worried tone.
She started running. By the time Luchs and Panther reached the room Tiger was leaving.
"They're both gone!" she said.
"Can you find them?" asked Panther.
"Hold on," said Luchs, her violet eyes glowing.
"Hurry please!" said Tiger.
"They're on level 04," said Luchs, "Memory extraction."
"Not again!" screamed Tiger. She ran down the hallway at full speed. She punched through a door and jumped down the middle of a stairwell shaft. She landed twenty floors down, nearly breaking her ankles in the process. She knocked down the door out and ran down the corridor, drawing out her blade whip.
"Please let him be all right!" she begged.
Several guards stood by a security door. They drew their weapons. She swung her blade whip and knocked them together. They fell in a heap across the floor, their weapons scattering past her feet. She readied to smash the control panel when the door suddenly flung open.
"I'm unlocking them for you," said Luchs' voice over the intercom.
"Thanks!" she said running at full speed.
Each security door opened a second before Tiger reached them. At the end of the corridor was a blast door. Tiger ran into it at full speed and bounced off of it.
She rubbed her nose. "Luchs!" she yelled.
"The code has been changed!" said Luchs over the intercom.
Tiger ran her hands over the door. "Hurry! He's in pain!"
By now Panther reached the blast door. She lifted her eyepatch, revealing her amber colored right eye.
"Stand back Tiger!" she shouted.
Tiger dove for cover. An intense beam of light shone out of Panther's eye. It burrowed into the metal heating it up until it was glowing molten in a cloud of steam. She carved out a circular hole out of the center of the door then kicked it in.
Tiger dove through and somersaulted to her feet. Directly ahead of her sat Faust. He was strapped down into what looked like a torture device. A band with wires coming out of it was wrapped around his forehead. A series of four parabolic lenses were evenly spaced around his chair. A giant cylindrical pistol spun above him, emitting a ring of white light. He writhed in agony as memories poured forcibly into him. Ruebens stood at a control panel his expression a mask of sorrow. Tiger sent out her blade whip and broke the piston. She then used the blade to cut the wires connecting Faust to the machine. He slumped forward. She then ferociously attacked the control panel, plunging her fists into it over and over again, causing sparks to shoot out of it. Ruebens collapsed against the far wall. Tiger was screaming incoherently as she smashed the control panel into smaller and smaller pieces. Ruebens looked to his left in time to see Panther standing there, looking furious.
"Panther, let me expla-" he started to say as Panther caught him by the throat. She slammed him into the wall.
"I'll tear your head off!" yelled Panther tightening her grip.
Luchs climbed through the hole in the door and ran over to Faust.
"My Lord!" she said, starting to sob, "Please wake up!"
He opened his eyes. "Panther, let him go." he said weakly.
Panther looked at Faust and dropped Ruebens on the ground with contempt. "I'll never forgive you!" she said to Ruebens.
"That makes two of us," said Ruebens gasping for air.
"I told him to do this," said Faust, struggling to stand.
Luchs gently pushed him down. "Don't strain yourself my Lord."
Tiger had stopped dismantling the machine but just stood there with dead circuitry dangling from her hand.
Panther knelt next to him. "Why did you do it my Lord?" she asked.
He smiled weakly. "I was trying to re-implant the memories of the First. I needed to remember how to make a maiden circuit.for Koyuki."
"Forgive me for agreeing to this my Lord," said Ruebens miserably, "You know my weakness."
Faust nodded, rubbing his forehead. "I think I remember enough to start on another one,"
Ruebens looked distraught. "I am not worthy of such a gift."
Faust sighed. "Tell the Provisional Council I will be indisposed."
He stood at attention. "Yes my Lord!"
After he left Faust looked at Luchs and Panther. "Could you get a medical team down here?"
"At once!" said Panther, running out.
At the door Luchs paused and looked back. "Tiger." she murmured softy.
Faust painfully got out of the chair. "Tiger," he said.
She gasped and dropped the circuitry and her blade whip on the floor, where they clattered noisily. She began to shiver all over.
"Tiger, I'm sorry." he said.
She fell to her knees and began to sob uncontrollably.
"Forgive me," he said kneeling next to her.
"You idiot!" she screamed, hitting the ground with her fists.
"You have every right to scold me," he said embracing her.
"How could you put me through this again?" she sobbed.
"I have no excuse," he said gently stroking her hair, "I made a promise to Ruebens and I wanted to keep it."
"You could have died!" she said.
He lifted her chin with his hand. "Would anyone really miss me?"
She kissed him on the lips. His eyes widened for a moment but then closed. She broke off the kiss and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I would miss you," she said, her tears spilling onto his jacket.
"Tiger." he said his voice faltering.
"I love you Lord Faust," she said, "Dear kind Lord Faust."
Preview
Our maiden circuits will never be used to replace Lorelei, but have they matured enough? Is there a way for Panther, Luchs, and I to all love Lord Faust? Is there a way for him to love all of us? Next time on Saber Dolls G: 'Emulation'. Lord Faust, I love you!
A Saber Marionette Fanfiction
By BG-57
Program 03: Redemption
A solitary Marionette trudged along a mountain path cursing her luck. Panther was wearing blue shorts and a red jacket over a dark blue shirt. A red bandanna was wrapped around her upper arm, just below the exposed square seams near her shoulders.
"Why can't he live in town like everyone else?" she muttered.
The cobblestone trail winded up the side of a hill. As she reached a torii gate at the top she could make out a clearing with a small run down shrine at one end with a porch. A thin man with long black hair was practicing swings with a wooden sword. He was dressed in a blue tunic under a long sleeved purple robe. She folded her arms across her chest.
"Herr Ruebens?" she called out.
He stopped in mid swing, but he did not turn around.
"I don't go by that name now," he said.
Panther waved a hand. "Sorry, I never knew you as Soemon."
He turned to regard her. "It's been a while Panther."
She shrugged. "Whatever. What do you want?"
He smiled. "Blunt as ever I see. Let's go inside."
He led her inside. The interior was Spartan, with few decorations on the walls. In the center of the room was a sunken fireplace. He smiled to a Marionette sitting by the door. She had brown hair and was dressed in a red kimono with a yellow obi.
"Koyuki, tea for two please," he said touching her arm affectionately.
Koyuki began brewing green tea. Soemon and Panther sat next to the fireplace.
"I received a message from Gartlant this morning," he said, "From a member of the Provisional Council."
Panther's eyebrow twitched. "Those are the jerks that banished Lord Faust! What did they want?"
"He told me the Provisional Council wants Lord Faust to return to Gartlant," said Soemon, "They need his help."
Panther blanched. "He said that?"
Soemon smiled quietly. "Not in so many words. But I could tell he was worried."
Panther shook her head. "Wait, why did they contact you then? Why not ask Lord Faust?"
Soemon looked grim. "I still have many contacts in Gartlant. I suspect he didn't want this to be known publicly."
Panther slammed a fist on the table. "Damn them! I ought to go over there and teach them a lesson!"
He nodded. "You'll get your chance."
Koyuki served them cups of tea.
Panther angrily drunk hers in one gulp, then stared out of the window.
Someon sipped his tea. "I'm sure Lord Faust still feels responsible for Gartlant, even if he is unwelcome there."
She looked back at him sadly. "I know. How can we protect Lord Faust from himself?"
Soemon put down his cup. "I think you'll manage. Just be careful."
She nodded and stood. "Thanks for the tea," she said to Koyuki.
"Panther?" asked Soemon.
She stopped at the door. "What?"
He looked at her, his green eyes barely visible. "Give Lord Faust my regards."
Faust sat impassively in the room above the diner. He looked at each of the Saber Dolls in turn.
"Reactions?" he asked.
They looked at each other.
"It could be a trap my Lord," said Tiger.
"The Provisional Council would think of nothing of using you for their own ends," added Luchs.
"I don't trust them!" said Panther vehemently.
He stood and walked over to the window overlooking the bustling street below.
"What do I owe to the people of Gartlant?" he asked quietly.
The Saber Dolls looked at other despairingly.
Tiger went over to him. "My Lord, they told you never return to Gartlant."
He turned to her. "I created Gartlant with my own hands. They are my responsibility."
Tiger sighed and looked down. He put a hand on her shoulder. She blushed and looked back up at him.
"I would never go back unless you agree," he said.
She covered his hand with hers. "Yes my Lord. I will follow you anywhere."
Panther touched her forehead. "Oh, all right! We'll go!"
He looked to Luchs. "We'll stay if you say so."
She shook her head and sighed. "I still think it's dangerous but we should go. You'd never be able to live with yourself my Lord and I can't have that."
Faust nodded. "Do you have a plan?"
She smiled. "My Lord, I always have a plan."
He looked solemn. "I'm sorry to be such a burden."
"Not at all my Lord," said Tiger, squeezing his hand.
"We'll protect you!" added Panther punching a fist into her palm.
"It just gives us another reason to admire you," said Luchs.
"Thank you all," he replied, "Now let's go say our farewells."
Lorelei was monitoring the clone tanks in Castle Japoness when she heard footsteps behind. She turned around. She was wearing glasses and a white lab coat over a plain gray tunic.
"Lord Faust!" she said.
He walked over to her. "Lorelei, I'm leaving for Gartlant tonight."
She looked worried. "That sounds dangerous."
He stood next to her and watched the embryonic clones in the cylindrical tanks. "It will be."
"Do you have to go?" she asked.
He nodded.
"I wish I could go with you," she said eventually.
He smiled darkly. "I doubt you'd like Gartlant."
She shook her head. "I don't care about sightseeing. I'd want to meet the people."
He stuck his hands in his jacket pockets. "Unfortunately the people you'd like are the one who hate me the most. Not that I blame them."
She smiled to him. "If I can see your goodness, then they will too eventually."
He seemed philosophical. "I'm more worried about you. You need someone to look after you."
"I have Baiko and Tamasaburo to protect me," she replied.
He shook his head. "I meant someone to confide in. You need friends."
She looked up at him. "Well, I have Otaru and his Marionettes."
"Don't you think Otaru Mamiya looks a lot like Ieyasu the First?" he inquired.
She frowned a bit. "Now that you mention it, he does."
"If he had survived, would you.?" he started.
"Would what?" she asked.
He sighed and shook his head. "Never mind. It doesn't matter now."
"Well take care of yourself," she said.
He nodded. "I will."
"And take care of the Saber Dolls," she added, "Especially Tiger."
"Of course," he replied.
"Be gentle with their hearts please," she said.
"I'd never treat them as playthings now," he said, "But I do not know how to love them the way they deserve."
"Just be true to yourself," she replied.
He looked faintly amused. "Ironic that I come to you for advice."
She smiled sadly. "I'll always be your friend Lord Faust, no matter what."
He nodded. "I know. It means a lot to me."
He left through a metal door. It shut behind him, returning the room to darkness.
"You're leaving?" asked Lime, on the verge of tears.
"Oh don't start crying again," said Tiger sadly.
They were standing outside Otaru's apartment, with a pair of sliding paper doors emblazoned with Otaru's name on both panels.
"Now, don't make things harder for them," said Otaru, placing his hand on Lime's head.
"But I don't want them to go!" she cried.
"Honestly Lime, don't be such a baby!" chided Cherry.
"Thank you for your training Cherry," said Luchs bowing.
Cherry returned with a deeper bow. "Oh no, I wasn't that much help!"
Luchs bowed to Otaru as well. "Thank you for your research data."
Otaru blushed beet-red and rubbed his head in embarrassment. "Ah.you're welcome."
Bloodberry wrapped her arms around Otaru. "Hey Otaru, can I do research on you too?"
"I feel sorry for him," said Panther to Luchs.
"What was that?" demanded Bloodberry, holding up a fist.
Panther grinned and held up her hands. "Just kidding! Calm down!"
Bloodberry sighed and tossed a bottle to Panther. She barely caught it.
"Why are you giving me sake?" asked Panther.
"Send me a bottle of your best Gartlant rockgut in exchange," she replied.
Panther smiled broadly. "Sure. I hope you like schnapps."
Lime hugged Tiger. "Come back soon!" she bawled.
Tiger began to cry herself. "I don't know how long we'll be gone Lime."
"We have to be going," said Luchs.
Tiger embraced Lime. "Tell Lord Faust I'll catch up."
Panther and Luchs nodded and headed off towards the main gate.
"You'd follow your Master anywhere?" asked Tiger.
Lime nodded. "Of course!"
"Then you know why I have to go," she said.
Lime nodded again. "Yeah."
"Write to me, okay?" she said.
"Sure!" said Lime.
Lime let go and Tiger smiled to her.
"Take care of Otaru," she said.
Lime dried her tears. "I'll take care of him!"
"Good luck Tiger," said Otaru, "If you need anything, let me know."
Tiger looked thoughtful. "Actually there may be."
"Name it," he said, grinning.
"Could you write a letter of reference?" she asked.
The road was winding and dusty. Faust had been driving most of the night. As they came over the ridge they saw a long narrow building embedded into a mountainside. It was balanced precariously on the mountain with most of it looming over the slope, with no support underneath.
"The Summer Residence looks the same," commented Luchs, sitting with the other Saber Dolls in the back seat.
"The Provisional Council wants to meet us outside of the city," said Faust.
"Like they're ashamed to meet us!" said Panther angrily.
"Let's see what they have to say," replied Faust.
They drove into a tunnel carved out of the foot of the mountain. They drove through several security doors until they reached an underground parking garage filled with several other vehicles, many of them military.
They all climbed out and looked around the otherwise empty garage.
"Nobody here to welcome us," said Tiger anxiously.
"We know our way around," said Faust, heading for the elevator.
They all climbed in and Faust hit the button for the top floor. It efficiently whirred to life and carried them up thirty stories to the top level. The doors opened, revealing an enormous open space with a low ceiling. Banks of windows along the sides of the elongated room provided dim illumination. The only change was a long conference table. Sitting on one side were military officers, resplendent in dark gray tunics with epaulets, baggy pants and combat boots. Sitting on the other side were few faces familiar to Faust, most of them looked like businessmen and ordinary citizens. Several of the officers stood when Faust entered. Everyone else remained seated.
"Thank you for coming Gelhardt Faust," said a frail old man rising. He had a long white beard and gray colored cloak wrapped around his shoulders.
"Thank you for inviting me," said Faust.
The old man gestured for him to sit and they all did so. The Saber Dolls stood to either side of Faust.
"It's good to see you my Lord," said an officer wearing an arm cast. He had brown hair slicked back and had a conniving expression.
"What happened to your arm Colonel Roland?" asked Faust.
"A small accident my Fuhrer," he said mysteriously glaring at Tiger.
"Don't call him that!" yelled a young man with dark hair sitting across from Roland.
"Why not?" retorted Roland.
"Calm down both of you," said the old man sternly.
"I hold no title in Gartlant now," said Faust.
The officers looked dismayed.
"Many in the Gartlant military feel as Colonel Roland does," said the old man, "And that is adding to our problems."
"The only reason we're having problems is because we're going too easy on the civilians," said another officer, "We're already getting signs of civil unrest. The next step is anarchy!"
"The military was built on the backs of the people!" snapped a businessman.
"That is true," said Faust.
The Council fell silent and regarded him.
"I built Gartlant for conquest and brought nothing but ruin to the people," he said.
"You'll get no sympathy from us," said the old man, "A power hungry dictator can't afford any."
Panther slammed a fist onto the table. "Enough! Lord Faust has repented and all you can do is blame him for everything!"
"Faust, control your Marionette!" snapped a young man with blond hair.
Faust folded his arms across his chest. "Her opinion counts as much as mine," he replied.
"This was a mistake Grandpa," said the blond man.
Tiger looked surprised. "You're the man they call Grandpa?" she asked him.
He nodded. "I wish they wouldn't."
She walked over to him and handed him a letter. "This is from Otaru Mamiya."
The old man's face lit up. "Otaru!" He hastily read through the letter.
"What does it say?" asked Roland.
"It vouches for Faust's good character," he replied.
There was murmuring among the civilian councilors.
"We'll need to discuss this more Faust," said the old man. "We've prepared a room for you. We'll summon you back later."
Panther angrily paced the room. It was ornate, with overwrought baroque decorations, complete with a four poster bed and end tables.
"How long are they going to make us wait?" she asked.
Faust sat in a chair by the wall. "I don't know."
Tiger was sitting on the bed. "I wish we could leave."
"We will if you want." He replied.
She shook her head.
There was a knock on the door. Panther walked over and opened it, and saw Luchs standing there.
"A member of the Provisional Council is here to see Lord Faust," she said.
"Why now?" asked Panther.
"Because he wasn't at the meeting," she replied.
"Show him in," said Faust.
Luchs led in a man with spiky blond hair and cross-shaped earrings. He wore a Garlant uniform complete with epaulets and a cravat around his throat. He smiled evenly at Faust.
"Greetings my Lord," he said.
Faust looked shocked. "Ruebens! What are you doing here?"
"I was asked to join the Provisional Council," he said, "I said I would if they asked you to advise them on forming a new government."
Faust frowned. "You should have stayed in Japoness."
He nodded. "Well that would have been the sensible thing to do. But I sense you have the chance to become the truly great leader you were always capable of being."
Faust held up a hand. "You give me too much credit Ruebens."
"He's right though my Lord," said Luchs.
"We all feel that way about you," said Panther.
Faust turned to the Saber Dolls. "Leave us alone please."
After they left he stood and shook Ruebens' hand. "Thank you for being here. I need someone I can trust."
"I wouldn't trust me my Lord," he said with a twinkle.
"There is something I need to do," said Faust, "Will you help me?"
Ruebens nodded. "Yes, but why ask me? Why not the ask Saber Dolls?"
Faust shook his head. "This is something I promised you a long time ago and never delivered."
Ruebens frowned. "A maiden circuit? Forget about it."
Faust seized his arm. "Do you honestly mean that?" he demanded.
Ruebens looked ashamed. ".no my Lord."
"Good, let's go then," he said.
As the door opened the Saber Dolls in the hallway stood at attention.
"Lord Faust!" said Tiger.
"You three go see the man they call Grandpa," said Faust, "Ask how much longer we'll have to wait."
They knelt before him. "Yes my Lord!" they said together.
After they left Faust opened the door again.
"The coast is clear Ruebens," said Faust.
He came out of the room. "My Lord this is a bad idea."
Faust grimaced. "I don't care. I owe it to you."
The Saber Dolls reached the door of an office. The guards watched them intently. Tiger knocked politely. The door opened. Grandpa stood there.
"Tiger!" he said, "This is a surprise!"
Tiger nodded. "Lord Faust wants to know how much longer we'll have to wait."
He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It'll be a few hours at least."
"Sorry to disturb you," said Luchs.
"It's all right," he said.
They walked down the hallway back to the room.
"Why did he need to send all three of us?" asked Luchs.
"Maybe he wanted to talk with Ruebens alone," suggested Panther.
"Luchs has a point," said Tiger in a worried tone.
She started running. By the time Luchs and Panther reached the room Tiger was leaving.
"They're both gone!" she said.
"Can you find them?" asked Panther.
"Hold on," said Luchs, her violet eyes glowing.
"Hurry please!" said Tiger.
"They're on level 04," said Luchs, "Memory extraction."
"Not again!" screamed Tiger. She ran down the hallway at full speed. She punched through a door and jumped down the middle of a stairwell shaft. She landed twenty floors down, nearly breaking her ankles in the process. She knocked down the door out and ran down the corridor, drawing out her blade whip.
"Please let him be all right!" she begged.
Several guards stood by a security door. They drew their weapons. She swung her blade whip and knocked them together. They fell in a heap across the floor, their weapons scattering past her feet. She readied to smash the control panel when the door suddenly flung open.
"I'm unlocking them for you," said Luchs' voice over the intercom.
"Thanks!" she said running at full speed.
Each security door opened a second before Tiger reached them. At the end of the corridor was a blast door. Tiger ran into it at full speed and bounced off of it.
She rubbed her nose. "Luchs!" she yelled.
"The code has been changed!" said Luchs over the intercom.
Tiger ran her hands over the door. "Hurry! He's in pain!"
By now Panther reached the blast door. She lifted her eyepatch, revealing her amber colored right eye.
"Stand back Tiger!" she shouted.
Tiger dove for cover. An intense beam of light shone out of Panther's eye. It burrowed into the metal heating it up until it was glowing molten in a cloud of steam. She carved out a circular hole out of the center of the door then kicked it in.
Tiger dove through and somersaulted to her feet. Directly ahead of her sat Faust. He was strapped down into what looked like a torture device. A band with wires coming out of it was wrapped around his forehead. A series of four parabolic lenses were evenly spaced around his chair. A giant cylindrical pistol spun above him, emitting a ring of white light. He writhed in agony as memories poured forcibly into him. Ruebens stood at a control panel his expression a mask of sorrow. Tiger sent out her blade whip and broke the piston. She then used the blade to cut the wires connecting Faust to the machine. He slumped forward. She then ferociously attacked the control panel, plunging her fists into it over and over again, causing sparks to shoot out of it. Ruebens collapsed against the far wall. Tiger was screaming incoherently as she smashed the control panel into smaller and smaller pieces. Ruebens looked to his left in time to see Panther standing there, looking furious.
"Panther, let me expla-" he started to say as Panther caught him by the throat. She slammed him into the wall.
"I'll tear your head off!" yelled Panther tightening her grip.
Luchs climbed through the hole in the door and ran over to Faust.
"My Lord!" she said, starting to sob, "Please wake up!"
He opened his eyes. "Panther, let him go." he said weakly.
Panther looked at Faust and dropped Ruebens on the ground with contempt. "I'll never forgive you!" she said to Ruebens.
"That makes two of us," said Ruebens gasping for air.
"I told him to do this," said Faust, struggling to stand.
Luchs gently pushed him down. "Don't strain yourself my Lord."
Tiger had stopped dismantling the machine but just stood there with dead circuitry dangling from her hand.
Panther knelt next to him. "Why did you do it my Lord?" she asked.
He smiled weakly. "I was trying to re-implant the memories of the First. I needed to remember how to make a maiden circuit.for Koyuki."
"Forgive me for agreeing to this my Lord," said Ruebens miserably, "You know my weakness."
Faust nodded, rubbing his forehead. "I think I remember enough to start on another one,"
Ruebens looked distraught. "I am not worthy of such a gift."
Faust sighed. "Tell the Provisional Council I will be indisposed."
He stood at attention. "Yes my Lord!"
After he left Faust looked at Luchs and Panther. "Could you get a medical team down here?"
"At once!" said Panther, running out.
At the door Luchs paused and looked back. "Tiger." she murmured softy.
Faust painfully got out of the chair. "Tiger," he said.
She gasped and dropped the circuitry and her blade whip on the floor, where they clattered noisily. She began to shiver all over.
"Tiger, I'm sorry." he said.
She fell to her knees and began to sob uncontrollably.
"Forgive me," he said kneeling next to her.
"You idiot!" she screamed, hitting the ground with her fists.
"You have every right to scold me," he said embracing her.
"How could you put me through this again?" she sobbed.
"I have no excuse," he said gently stroking her hair, "I made a promise to Ruebens and I wanted to keep it."
"You could have died!" she said.
He lifted her chin with his hand. "Would anyone really miss me?"
She kissed him on the lips. His eyes widened for a moment but then closed. She broke off the kiss and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I would miss you," she said, her tears spilling onto his jacket.
"Tiger." he said his voice faltering.
"I love you Lord Faust," she said, "Dear kind Lord Faust."
Preview
Our maiden circuits will never be used to replace Lorelei, but have they matured enough? Is there a way for Panther, Luchs, and I to all love Lord Faust? Is there a way for him to love all of us? Next time on Saber Dolls G: 'Emulation'. Lord Faust, I love you!
