"YOU! You damned bastard. You traitor. You… Arghhh. I don't even know a word to describe you best!" Colt's face became the color of a tomatoe. Fireball had to hold him back. Jesse made one step behind Trista and grinned evily. His eyes were as cold as ice, but inside he was nervous. In the end, he decided to help Sincia. Otherwise he would have lost his hideout and he his mistress. He was going to fall deep into this situation, he didn't know how to come out of it, and he didn't know if he really wanted to come out of it. April stared at Trista.
"Trista, can you explain me this ?" she said and pointed to Jesse.
"Later, April. We have not much time. Where is your father? The nurse said, he is here."
"Ehm, he is back to his office." April said confused.
"Okay, thank you. Let's go, Jesse." Trista and Jesse left the room
Colt, Fireball and April were confused. No one could believe what they saw.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. Commander Eagle's Office.Commander Eagle was sitting by his desk, when Trista rushed into his office, followed by Jesse Blue. Commander looked up.
"What..?"
"Commander Eagle, I have to talk to you!" Trista started. She explained all she knew about the microship and Jesse's offer to help.
"Mh… You escaped the last time we wanted to give you a second chance. I don't think that I can trust you one more time, Jesse." Commander said thoughtfully.
"I don't want you to trust me, Commander. What about a deal?"
"A deal? What kind of a deal, Jesse?"
"I think that Sincia is not the only one vested with this microchip."
"Go on"
"The Outriders were not so lucky during the last fight. They have vested many people with these chips a couple of month ago to bring chaos around the New Frontier. The only one who can remove these chips is Canalos, an outrider scientist. I know where he is and I know how to treat him. The deal is: I will help you to find this outrider, I will take care that he will remove all microchips."
"And what do you want for your help, Jesse?"
"Amnesty without restrictions."
"Oh no, Jesse. We wanted to give you amnesty. You fled. You had your chance."
"You wanted to put me into a cage like a hamster! I am no hamster."
"Okay, so you want me to take care that you can live where you want and how you want. And you will promise me, that you won't do something illegally? Forget it, Jesse."
"Why should I do so? I'm tired, Commander. I don't want to fight any more." Jesse said resigned.
"And where is this outrider scientist?"
"He is in the Vapour Zone."
"We can't get into the Vapour Zone, Jesse!"
"But I can. The Badlander has the gear for dimensional jumps. I only need energy."
"No. I shan't let you fly with the Badlander into the Vapour Zone. But….."
"What?"
"Help us to create a gear for a dimensional jumps, teach us to use it. We will equip Ramrod with one of these. Together with the Star Sheriffs you will fly into the Vapour Zone and bring this scientist here. When he removes all microships without hurting the people, you can have your amnesty. This is my deal." Commander Eagle looked at Jesse. His help was important for Commander Eagle. He got reports that people all over New Frontier started to attack each other. In every man or women who started to behave like this, they found these microchips. No human scientist knew how to remove or to deactivate them. And they couldn't check all the settlers in the New Frontier if they have microchips and arrest them. He had to protect the settlers. He couldn't let outriders be playing games with humans. Jesse was the only one who could help. And he believed in the young man. As he visited him in jail, he noticed a change in Jesses behaviour. Not much, but it was there. Perhaps this man is finally grown up. But something inside him told him to be carefull.
Jesse stood in front of the desk with his eyes closed. After a long while, he opened his eyes and looked at the older man.
"It's a lot for a simple amnesty." He said.
"That isn't true. I only want you to make a decision. Humans or Outriders. What ever you'll do, your life will change, Jesse. Make the right decision."
Trista stepped towards Jesse and layed one hand on his arm.
"It's your decision, Jesse. When you decide for the Outriders, you will never get the chance to life with your own race. When you decide for us, humans, you can never go back to the Vapour Zone. But then you can live here or wherever you want. Without Outriders, without fighting." Jesse looked at her and then turned his gaze back to Commander Eagle.
"Let us go through this. I will help you in your way. Then, say I live here on Yuma. Who can guarantee that no one would hunt or kill me?"
"I can. If you help us, I will inform the people about this deal. There always will be some people wanting to kill you. But there will be assassins waiting for you in the Vapour Zone, too." Jesse began to laugh. This whole situation was unbelievable for him.
'It's your chance, Jesse. Take it.'
'No, never. He is playing games with me. I caused too much pain. He will arrest me one for all.'
'No, he won't. He is a good man and a good leader. When he gives you his word, you can count on it!'
'And then? What then? All I achieved will be gone. Then I will have nothing. Absolutly nothing.'
'Jesse, think of it. Now, you have nothing. But you can have everything. If you want. You have to decide.'
Jesse shook his head.
"You can't believe that I will do this."
"And what do you want me to do? To give you Badlander, let you fly back to the Vapour Zone alone? You betrayed us, Jesse. Don't think that I will take only your word. There has to be much more. Did you really think that this would never end? That you can play your childish game forever? No, Jesse. It's time to wake up. This here is the real world." Commander said angrily.
"How dare you to talk to me like this? I am no little boy." Jesse sizzled. Commander looked Jesse straight into the eyes.
"You say, you are no little boy? Proove it!"
"Why the hell do I have to proove everything? Are you
completely nuts? You know nothing about me. You know nothing about my life. And
you have no idea about what I expect from life."
"Just exactly like you do, Jesse." Commander Eagle said in a calm voice.
"I can't live with your deal, Commander. This would be not a bit different from your first 'amnesty'. Give me the responsibility over this operation. After it's finished, I don't want to be reintegrated into Cavalry Command. And I don't want to be controlled by your guards or something like this. You will let me live in peace wherever I want. Inform the people, if you want."
"I won't give you the charge. You will work together with the Ramrod Team. You will have equal rights with them and the equal responsibility. When it is over, you can live as you want. But believe me, only one false step and I will kick you into the Vapour Zone on my own! Deal?"
Jesse thought it over for a moment, then he nodded.
"Deal."
"Okay. What will you need for a report about this gear for dimension jumps?"
"I only need Badlaner."
"Hangar 3. Dismissed."
"I can't believe you did this really, Jesse." Trista said in disvelief.
"You didn't expect me to do this, right?"
"Right. But you did this really." They walked up the corridor towards the hangar 3. Commander Eagle gave the order to all officers of Cavalry Command that Jesse is rehabilitated for the time being.
Trista lead her gaze down the floor and wrapped her arms around her body as they were walking towards the hanger.
"Is something wrong? I did all you wanted." Jesse said absently.
"April. What should I tell her?"
"Tell her the truth. That you love me. And because of this you were hiding me."
"I do not love you. I hate you. I don't want you to be with me."
"But that is not true, Trista." Jesse said coldly.
"Right. That isn't the truth. I have to go." With this words she left Jesse alone and went back to the hospital. She hoped that April was still there. Right now, she would have heard about the deal between her father and Jesse Blue. That would explain a bit.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. A Hospital.The Star Sheriffs were sitting in Saber Rider's ward. All listening to Trista. After she finished, she stood up and went to the window.
"I never wanted to betray you, really. It was.. I don't know."
"For one thing, it was good." Said Fireball. All were looking at him surprised.
"Think of it. We wouldn't be able to help Sincia and the other people vested with these microchips. It was Trista who remebered these chips and told Jesse." Saber nodded.
"Yes, that's true. But I don't know if this is a good idea. Trista, do you trust him?" Trista looked at Saber.
"Not a single bit. But it is our only chance. After this, he will go and we all will never see him again. Then we can live in peace."
"I can imagine that he is tired of this all. His life is a mess. He has no family and no friends." Saber said thoughtfully.
"But he is a traitor, Saber. He failed at the academy and he failed the time when we wanted to give him a chance." April looked at Saber.
"Yes but Jesse is like a bird. You can't put him into a cage. He would die. He is different from us. I only hope that he is able to live as he wants without hurting people."
April went over to Trista and hugged her.
"I'm always there for you. I know what it is like to love a man so much. I would do anything for Fire, simply anything."
"I won't do anything for Jesse. I guess I won't see him again. And it is good this way. Ehm, April? You caused Fire to blush." Now all were looking at Fire. He really blushed. He lead his gaze to the ground and was kicking something invisible on it. Now, all were laughing.
"Ah… It's better not to laugh." Said Saber and pressed one hand onto his torso. But the others couldn't stop the laughter. Colt went over to Fireball and put one hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Matchbox." He said under laughing. They didn't notice the doctor who came in.
"Okay, this is enough. I want you all to leave the room. Captain Rider needs a bit of sleep."
They obeyed the doctor's orders. The doctor went over to Saber Rider.
"How do you feel?"
"Better. It is still hurting a bit. What about Sincia? Is she fine?" The doctor nodded.
"Don't worry, she is fine. Try to sleep a bit." The doctor left the room. Now Saber was alone. His thoughts still about Sincia.
I'm sitting here laughing while Sincia is scared to death. I still can't remember how she did this. No, it wasn't Sincia who did this. It were the Outriders. Poor Sincia. If I only could get to her and talk to her…. But that is not possible. Not before we found this Outrider.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. Trista's Apartment.Trista felt asleep on the sofa. She felt a warm hand stroking her hair. Slowly she opened her eyes.
"Jesse! What are you doing here?" She sat up.
"I live here."
"No, you don't. It's my apartment. I suppose Commander Eagle gave you your own apartment."
"He wanted to. But I already have a place to live." Trista burried her head in her hands.
"Why have you always to do this? Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"You don't really want me to leave."
"Actually I don't know anything. You are confusing me."
"I don't want to confuse you. I was alone for a long time. Too long. I don't want to be alone anymore, Trista."
"But why me? Why the hell me??" Jesse shrugged. Actually he didn't know the answer.
"Today is the day of deals. I can live here, in your apartment. I will behave. and cook for you."
"Oh my God! I can't believe this. I'm still asleep, that's it!"
"Trista, you don't want me to leave. And I don't want to go. Letting me stay here is logical. So, what do you say?"
"I don't want to be hurt by you, Jesse. And exactly that will happen if you stay here. You don't really love me, but I love you. You know that. I would never get what I really want from you."
"I did what you wanted, Trista. I will help the damned Cavalry Command. And for this I will stay here. I like your apartment."
"Great, simply great. Okay, do as you want. But you will sleep here on the sofa and you will pay for the food." With these words she stood up, went to her bedroom and slammed the door heavily.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. Cavalry Command Headquarters.
Saber was still a bit weak, but actually he wasn't at hospital anymore. He was standing in the middle of Hangar 3 and watching Jesse Blue who scrambled into his Badlander just to come out a few moments later again. Jesse shook his head. Saber went over to him.
"Do you need help?" he asked.
"From you? Not really, Tin Star." Saber shrugged and looked to the backside of Badlander. The whole inside of the ship was displayed on the ground. Scientists were exploring all circuits. They looked like children on Christmas.
"It's the first time they can analyse a dimensional gear without fear that it will explode."
"Don't be so sure. It's possible that I forgot to deactivate some of the security barriers." Jesse said a bit louder so that the scientist could hear him. They looked scared for a moment. Jesse began to laugh.
"You still love to scare people to death, don't you?"
"Sure. It's funny. What do you want here, Tin Star? Shouldn't you be at hospital?"
"I decided not to stay there any longer. I wanted to talk to you." Jesse was drawing a few lines on a big sheet of paper that looked like a contruction plan.
"So, then go ahead."
"Why are you helping us?"
"I have my reasons."
"What reasons?"
"Why are you so curious?"
"I only want to know with who I'm going to fly into the Vapour Zone."
"Silly question. With me and the other members of your 'famous' team, of course."
"You don't understand me. I want to know if I can trust you."
"And if I tell you that you can trust me, will you do it?"
"No, I won't. Will you answer my question or not?" Saber knew that Jesse liked to huff people. And Saber did his best to stay calm. Jesse looked at him.
"So, you want to know why I am helping you? Because I want it, Tin Star."
"So, you are saying that your decision to join the outriders was wrong?"
"No, I wouldn't say so. It was a good time. But now, it's time for something new."
"I understand. The love for a woman brought you to the outriders, and now the love for another woman brings you back to your own race." Jesse froze. He looked at Saber as if he wanted to kill him. Saber smiled at him.
"How dare you…"
"Shut up, Jesse. It's okay. Trista is a lovely woman."
"Trista means nothing to me, Tin Star."
"Really? And why are you living in her apartment?"
"I like her apartment."
"And you don't want to be alone."
"Right."
"And you enjoy sharing her bed.`"
"I sleep on the sofa."
"Really?" This conversation amused Saber. This young man couldn't say that he was in love with Trista though it was obvious that he was. Saber thought about his relationship with Sincia. He never told her that he loved her. He showed her, but he never said the words. Was he scared to tell her? Was Jesse scared to tell Trista? Saber was never afraid to risk his life for his duty. But spending his life with a woman scared him. What if his duty puts his relationship with Sincia at risk? What if he would loose her? What if he ever has to choose between Sincia and his duty? How would this decision look like? Saber looked at Jesse. Just as him, Saber had to decide.
"Yuma to Saber? Can you hear me?" Saber was horrified. He was so lost in his own thoughts, that he didn't heard Jesse.
"Ehm.. yes. What do you want?"
"Hand me the disk from over there." Saber looked around and found a disk on the right wing of Badlander. He passed it over to Jesse.
"You really want to help?" Saber nodded.
"Okay, then make the copy of the data from Badlander to this disk." Saber wanted to say something. The way Jesse pushed him around made him a bit angry. But in the end, he decided to say nothing. There was no need for another conversation with Jesse Blue. So they worked in silence.
Together they worked on a concept for the dimensional gear. Outrider technology was different, so they had to adjust the contruction. With the finished design they went to April. It was her job to integrate this gear into Ramrod systems. She gave orders for scientists to built that gear. After a few days, they were able to test it.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. Commander Eagle's Office.
"We are ready to start, Commander." Saber reported.
"Good. We have not much time. The settlers are becoming paranoid. We have to do something." Saber nodded.
"You will start tomorrow at six am sharp. Dismissed." Saber went out of the office. Against all orders, he went to the hospital to see Sincia. After his work with Jesse, he was sure that he had to be honest to her. He knocked at the door to Sincia's ward and went in. Sincia was sitting on the bed. She looked up to him.
"Saber?! The doctor said it's better for you not to see me." She said softly.
"I know. But I had to see you. Are you okay?" She nodded. She began to weap. Saber went over to her and layed his arms around her.
"It's okay, Sincia."
"Nothing is okay. I nearly killed you."
"But you haven't. And it wasn't you. You know, you was controlled by this chip in your head."
"It was my hand which held the knife. Oh, Saber, how
can you still be so nice to me?"
"Because….. because I love you." Sincia raised her head to look into his eyes.
"You… Really?"
"I thought you knew."
"You never told me. I wasn't sure."
"Now you can be sure. Don't worry. Everything will be okay." He stroke her head softly. He kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes. He smiled at her.
"What would you say if we would go to the Highlands for holidays after this mission?"
"What mission?"
"We have to guard a convoy. I will tell you later." He layed her head on his shoulder. He wanted to tell her all. But with this chip she was a risk. He couldn't tell her. This time he couldn't trust her and that hurt him. He hold her tightly in his arms, while he was looking out of the window. The sadeness he felt was refelcted in his eyes.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. A Park.April and Fireball were walking in the park. They received the order to start their mission next morning. They knew that this mission was very dangerous. They would fly directly into the Vapour Zone. The fear that one of them could die was all around.
"April?"
"Mh?"
"I don't want you to fly with us."
"What? You can't… I have to fly with you."
"I know. But I don't want you to die."
"No one would die. We are the famous Star Sheriffs."
"This isn't funny, April."
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry, Fire." Silently they wandered on the grass. None of them had an idea what is waiting for them in the Vapour Zone. It could be a trap. They had to think about all possibilities.
"As long as we hold on together, no one could stop the Ramrod Team." Said Fireball and stopped his walk. He took Aprils hand and kissed it softly.
"Don't worry, Fire. All is going well."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." A grin formed on her face and the mext moment she began to run away.
"Catch me if you can!" she screamed. Fire smiled and followed her. He caught her in the near of a big old oak.
"Got you." He said breathless. April wrapperd her arms around his neck and began to kiss him with passion, her hands feathering through his brown hair. Fireball stopped the kiss.
"April. Nearly everyone here can look at us."
"And? I don't mind. We are only kissing, Fire. Or do you want more?" Fire looked at her mischievously.
"Yes, but not here, my love."
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. The House of Colt and Robin Wilcox.Robin was sitting at her desk. She tried to correct several student works.
"We will start tomorrow." She heard her husband whispering. She put her pencil away and stood up. Slowly she walked up to Colt. She tell from his face expression that he didn't want to go.
"Colt, I know that you have to do this. I want our children to live in peace and I know that you can bring it to us." Colt looked at her clear, blue eyes. They were so deep, just like two clear Chinese mountain lakes. He was glad that she was able to understand. After all this was his job and his duty. And he wanted to give his wife the life she deserved.
"Just one thing, Cowboy. Don't make me a widow, okay?"
"You will never be a widow, my love. You know that we both would die in a hundred of years together in our bed." He said winking.
"Oh, Colt. You are really unbelievable!" she laughed and kissed her husband.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City.After the last check-ups, Jesse had to go to Commander Eagle. Once again, the old man told him to keep out of mischief. Just as though he was his father. Treated like a little boy, Jesse walked home. Suddenly he felt arms around his shoulders, which were holding him strongly.
"Got him!" a young voice screamed. Jesse gave a sigh. Again such a damned little boy with the intension to catch him. Fast as a cat, Jesse took the arm of his attacker and threw the boy against the nearest wall. The boy wasn't that glad about this treatment. He tried to hit Jesse at the head but failed him. Nevertheless, he tried again in a more furious way, this time successfully. Jesse felt something warm wandering down his face. Confused he took one step back. The little boy ran away.
"Ahhh…Can't you be more careful, Trista?"
"It's not my fault, that you're injured."
"I'm not injured, it's only a scratch."
"And why are you screaming in pain?" she asked amused.
"That's not funny, Trista." He said in a firm voice.
"Oh yes, it is." She saw to the scratch above his left eyebrow. Pleased with her work, she put the first aid box back to=in the bathroom. Jesse stood up and followed her.
"You heard of our start tomorrow?" he asked.
"Sure. April called me. Why are you asking?"
"You are not worried that I could die on this mission?"
"After this mission, I will see you never again, Jesse Blue. So, why should I be afraid?"
""What do you mean?"
"After this mission, you will get you amnesty. And I guess you will go away from here."
"I haven't thought about the time after the mission yet." He said.
"Then it's time for you to think about it." Jesse hoped that she would ask him to stay with her. But she hadn't done it. So, he decided to ask her.
"Do you want me to stay here with you, Trista?"
"It's not major what I want, Jesse."
"Why can't you simply answer my question?"
"Okay, just as you want. Do I want you to stay here? Yes. Do I want to spend my life with you? Yes. Do I want to be hurt by you? No." Her voice sounded cold. As cold as her look at him.
"You think that I will hurt you again?"
"You will do it!"
"And if not?"
"We will never find out, Jesse."
"So scared?" he asked provoking.
"Nice try."
"Trista. Give me a chance."
"You are an idiot, Jesse!"
"You're right. I am an idiot! I was so foolish to think that you love me."
"You know, that I love you, Jesse. But that is not the point."
"So, what's the point, Trista? I make a fool out of myself only for you! I could be on a wonderful planet now, living there in peace, without the damned Tin Stars and without you." His voice became louder.
"Then do so!" she screamed.
"I don't want to do it for crying out loud!"
"And why?"
"Because I love you. Damnit." Now the room was silent. A smile formed on Trista's face.
"That was all I wanted to hear."
"What? I told you the same as the first day I was here."
"You said the words without any meaning."
"Great. And now I said it angrily. I don't know if this is better."
"For me it is better."
"Do you want me now to stay here with you?"
"If you survive your mission, why not?"
"You touchy beast"