Trista was walking back and forth front of Commander Eagle's desk. She was nervous. They haven't heard anything from the Ramrod Team for two days.
"Miss Derringer, would you please sit down?"
"I'm sorry, Commander. But I'm worried about them. What if they are all dead?"
"Don't say that. I'm worried, too. But I know their abilities. I think they're safe."
"And why aren't they back? This mission shouldn't have taken so long, Commander. Two days. Two days without anything!" Trista's voice seemed to become hysteric. Commander Eagle wanted to say something to calm her dowm, but at this moment the face of a young officer appeard on the monitor on his desk.
"The Outriders are about to attack, Commander Eagle. A big spaceship is on her way to Yuma."
"Any signs that they will attack?"
"Pardon?"
"Are their weapons online?"
"It is a big Outrider Spaceship, Commander."
Commander Eagle shook his head. Slowly he stood up and went towards the door. He looked back at Trista, who was worriedly watching the little monitor on Commander Eagle's desk. Then she looked at the Commander's face.
"Commander, I know, I'm a civil person and it is not allowed to come with you. But…."
"Come."
Trista followed Commander Eagle to a big control room. All over were computer terminals and monitors seen. Officers of all ages and genders were hurrying around.
"Report." Ordered Commander Eagle in a strong tone.
"This ship appeard nearly fifteen minutes ago on our censors. It's a battleship. We didn't notice any signs of danger from this ship. It's too far away to be sure, but we think it is heavily damaged."
"Can we talk to them?" asked Commander Eagle.
"Not yet. They are too far away. We have to wait."
"The troops should be ready when this ship is near. I want to be on the safe side." The young officer nodded and gave the order to other officers, who began to hurry out of the control room towards the hangar.
"How long do have we to wait?"
"Ten minutes."
Commander Eagle nodded and watched the big monitor, which showed the Outrider battleship. Trista looked at the Commander.
'His daughter could be dead. And he stands there like a rock in the sea. What was wrong? What happened? The Outriders couldn't know that they would come, could they? Are they still alive?' thought Trista, while watching the battleship come nearer and nearer. The minutes passed by, but it felt like hours.
In the meanwhile, every ship was ready for take off. They only waited for the signal. Commander Eagle didn't want to cause a new war, so he decided to wait until the first sign of danger. The voice of a young female officer interupted his thoughts.
"Commander Eagle? They are healing us."
"Okay, I want to know what they want." The female officer pressed a few buttons and soon they could hear a static noise, interupted by spoken words.
"…..No Danger……. Ramrod is des…..reaching Yuma…….waiting for per…."
"Can you make it clearer?" asked Commander Eagle the female officer. She nodded and again, she pressed some buttons.
"…to Cavalry Command. Can you hear me? I repeat. Saber Rider to Cavalry Command. Please respond."
"Saber Rider, here is Commander Eagle. What happened?"
"Glad to hear your voice Commander. I will explain everything. But please give us the permission to land."
"Permission given. Platform three. Are all of you okay?"
"We are all back. But we need medical help."
"Acknowledged." Commander Egale looked at another officer.
"Send a medical team to platform three." The offiver nodded and hurried away.
"They are alive." Said Trista.
"Yes, they managed it. We will have all answers soon. But now, we have to wait until the doctor's examination. Be patient, Miss Derringer."
"Sounds easier as it is, Commander."
"I know."
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. A Hospital.Trista ran down the corridor. With this she earned an evil gaze from one of the nurses and a warning 'No running in the corridors', but Trista didn't hear that. She was worried. She reached the examination room. The Star Sheriffs and Jesse were each sitting on their respective beds. The doctor was talking to Commander Eagle. Trista ran towards Jesse and hugged him firmly.
"That hurts, Trista." Said Jesse in a painful voice.
"I'm sorry. I was so worried. What happened? Are you fine? Where is Ramrod and have you found the scientist?"
"Calm down, Trista. Everything is okay." He lay his arms around her shoulders and hugged her gently. He was glad to be back. But he knew that he had one last task to do.
"The doctor said, you are fine. A few scratches, nothing bad." Began Commander Eagle. After the doctor left the room, he closed the door.
"So, what happened?"
Saber Rider cleared his throat and began to explain.
"We wanted to start the gear, but it didn't work. We were not able to come back with Ramrod, that was clear. And we were not able to fight against the armada of Outrider ships. Not alone. We had no choice. We activated the self-destruction mode and ran to our vehicles. Fireball navigated Ramrod into the middle of the armada. We left Ramrod only seconds before it exploded. We nearly died. The biggest part of the armada was destroyed, so we had to fight against the rest of the ships. I don't know, how we managed it, but we won. Jesse had the idea of capturing an Outrider spaceship, but we destroyed most of them. The only ship, which was able to make a dimension jump, was this battleship. It was empty, no Outriders there. But we think that Nemesis was on this ship although it seemed he had left it. All energy reserves were down after the jump, so we had no drive. We drifted towards Yuma. The Outrider scientist wasn't that glad to be in our dimension. He wanted to jump back, but we vested him with the habdcuffs that avoid a jump. Now he is in prison and Sincia is in her ward again."
"Then your mission is completed. Ramrod is destroyed, but it is better this way. The technology of the Ramrod Unit should not be in the Outrider's hands." Said Commander Eagle. "I'm glad you survived." He went to his daughter and embraced her.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. Cavalry Command. A Dark Room.The Outrider scientist was sitting by the table, his gaze shifted to the ground. Saber Rider and Jesse Blue were standing by the near wall, watching him. Saber Rider decided that Jesse could help. After all, he spent a lot of time with the Outriders, so he knew how to treat them.
"Canalos, you know that Gaspar wanted to kill you. He said you're useless." Began Jesse. Canalos looked at the former Commander of the Outriders.
"You betrayed us."
"Yes, just like I once betrayed my own race."
"Just once?"
Jesse pretended he didn't hear it.
"I won't answer your question, Canalos. But it would be better for you to answer my questions."
"What happens if I decide not to answer?"
"Oh, let me think. I guess I first will take your water. And then I will pour it out of the window. Say, Canalos. How long are you able to survive in this dimension without water?"
Canalos swallowed.
"I'm just a regular scientist. I don't know how I can help you."
Saber Rider approached the Outrider.
"It's simple. You developed these microchips and you helped to vest the settlers with them. So, I guess you know how to remove them."
"I don't want to help you."
"Okay, then I will say it in another way, Canalos." Said Jesse in his usual calm tone.
"You will help yourself. Gaspar is still alive and I guess he is angry, very angry. How do you think he will react if we will bring you back to him and tell him that it was you, who helped us to escape?"
"He won't believe you."
"He will. Now he is human, and I'm simply the best in manipulating humans."
"He will kill me."
"Yes, he will. But if you help us, we will give you a home. You can work here for us. I heard, you're one of the best scientists in the Vapour Zone. We have enough energy, we have many laboratories." Said Saber and earned a bad gaze from Jesse for his words. But in Canalos face was something like hope to be seen.
"My work is important. It could be important for you as well." He said.
"Surely, but before we let you work in our labs, we need your help. This chips has to be removed. Immediately."
"I need a pencil and paper."
"What?" asked Jesse.
"I cannot explain. It is difficult. I have developed a serum, which can dissolve these chips. It is succesfully tested. But I have to write it down. And I have to help you with this."
Saber looked at the door. Commander Eagle was listening to this conversation. He decided to go out of the room.
Outside the room, Commander Eagle looked worriedly at Saber Rider.
"I don't know if this was a good idea."
"It is our only chance, Commander. And we have to do something. The last reports say, that three people died because of this chip."
Commander Eagle nodded. This was the permission Saber Rider needed.
He returned to the room.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. A Laboratory.Canalos worked together with four human scientists. It was difficult for him, he didn't understood the fleshings. In his opinion, they were acting strange. Canalos was vested with a little transmitter, which avoided a dimension jump. Cavalry Command wasn't glad to have an Outrider inside their laboratories, but Commander Eagle thought of the Outriders which really wanted the peace. Perhaps this scientist could be the beginning for the real peace. They managed to create the serum. After two days, it was ready to be tested.
Commander Eagle, the Star Sheriffs, Jesse and Trista were in the lab to check the results. Trista wasn't sure why she had to come with them, but Jesse didn't let her alone only one second since he was back again. At the beginning, she thought he was glad to be back with her but after a while it became a bit strange.
One of the human scientists came over to them.
"We are ready. We have neither a proof that it works nor we know this serum will not possibly kill the people. It's a risk. We wanted to test it with the corpses of the dead settlers, but after they died, the chips dissolved."
"We can test it now." Canalos said in a nervous tone, "With her." He pointed towards Trista.
"No, I don't have such a chip." Trista said.
"You have." Said Jesse with his eyes closed. He wasn't able to tell Trista that she was the spy who gave the information about their mission to the Outriders.
"No, when was I vested with it?"
"You can't remember, I know. But on Planet Far, when you were at the hospital, I vested you with this chip."
"No." Trista said once again and took a step back. Saber Rider went towards her.
"I never attacked someone. And I had so much possible moments to do."
"Gaspar said he needed you as a spy. You gave the information about our mission into the Vapour Zone to Gaspar." Jesse said, still unable to look in her eyes.
"No, I never…."
"Trista, you couldn't have known. It was the chip."
"So, I betrayed my own race for the second time. When will this end?"
"Trista. You didn't betray anyone. Gaspar hates you, you know that. He did so at the base in New Wichita. It was his way, to retaliate."
"I will test it." Said Trista with a strong voice and went over to the scientists.
"Give me the serum. I don't mind if I would die during this test."
"Trista…"
"No, Jesse. I don't want to argue. I will test it."
Commander Eagle wasn't able to imagine how Trista felt, but he had the feeling that nothing would change her mind. So he nooded and gave the permission to start the test. The scientist injected Trista the serum. All were silent.
The first moment, Trista felt nothing. Then, she felt her head dizzy. She had to grab the table. One of the scientists came over to her and scanned her with a medical scanner. After a few minutes, he looked up.
"Test succesful. The chip dissolved."
"Is she fine?" Commander Eagle asked.
"Yes, she is fine."
"Okay, is there a chance to administer this serum to the settlers without injecetion?"
"No, Commander. But we can tell the settlers that it is a immunisation."
"Good. Do it."
Trista went out of the room. April hurried after her. She was curoius; Trista never told her that she was at a hospital at that time. And every person, who had near contact with the Star Sheriffs and Cavalry Command was asked about a possible moment when they could have been vested with a chip.
"How are you, Trista?" April asked.
"Fine. I betrayed you all."
"No, you didn't. Calm down, Trista. Gaspar manipulated you. You only lied to us."
"I never lied to you, April."
"But… You never told me you were in hospital on Planet Far. We asked you this. You lied." Said April worried.
"You only asked me if there was a possible moment when I could have been vested with a chip. When I was in hospital, there was no chance, I never was drugged."
"Why were you there, Trista?"
"It's none of your business, April."
"It is, I'm your friend and you lied. I want to know why."
"I don't want to tell you, okay?" Trista nearly screamed. It was too much. They said, she was a spy. And then April blamed her because she didn't tell anyone about her pregnacy. She was still sad about it, it hurt to think about her dead baby. Why must she bother herself to tell?
"Trista…." April started.
"She had an abortion." Jesse, who had been following them, said silently. April froze.
"You see, April? I was spy and I'm not able to give life to my own child. Are you happy now?" she asked with tears in her eyes. April didn't knew what to say.
"Trista. You never told me…"
"I couldn't. Sorry, but it hurts."
"I can imagine."
"No, you can't. And now, leave us alone, please." Jesse went over to Trista and hugged her. Trista cried and Jesse did his best to calm her dowm.
April went down the corridor. She led a last gaze towards them. Sadly, she watched them for a short while. Then she left the building.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. Commander Eagle's Office"You did a good job, Jesse"
"As usual."
"The battleship is damaged, but we can learn much if we analyse it. Nearly every outrider ship had a kind of a self-destruction mode to avoid any examinations from us. So, we never were able to analyse the technology. You can help us, Jesse. You know, how to remove all self destructions inside this ship."
"I did my job, Commander Eagle. I told you this was the last time I helped Cavalry Command and I won't change my mind. Only one suggestion, try to think easy. Outrider aren't that clever, so the self destructing areas are not hidden."
"You would be a good Star Sheriff."
"No, I wouldn't. I would beat up every rule."
"What are you going to do now?"
"Holidays."
"Pardon?"
"I'm thinking of holidays. Away from here, away from Cavalry Command. Away from my past. I need to rest."
"Do so. Perhaps you know what to do with your life after your holidays."
"Perhaps."
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. Trista's Apartment."I made a fool out of myself."
"No, you didn't. It hurts, I know."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"That you told her. I never could have told her. It's difficult."
"I know. Are you feeling better now?"
"A bit. But I have to talk to April. It wasn't fair."
"You can call her later. Now, it's better to stay here. It was a hard day."
Trista nodded and lay her head on Jesse's chest. It felt good to have him near.
"What about holidays?"
"Mh?"
"There is a small settlement on Durango. I found a little cabin a few miles away from the settlement. It's a lonely and silent place. Great landscape."
"Sounds good."
"Then you come with me?"
"Why not? It would be a kind of romantic. Only you and me. We can learn much about each other and you can think about your future."
"I know what to do with my future."
"I think it's better for both of us if you move into your own apartment, Jesse. Our relationship is something completely new for me and I don't know if it is good if we're living together."
Jesse kissed her forehead. He was of the same opinion. Even for him, it was something new to live like that.
"So, Jesse? When do we start our holidays?"
"What about tomorrow?"
One month later, the settlers were informed that everyone had to go to the hospital for a immunisation against influenza. In every town and every settlement, all hospitals and doctors were informed about a serum against a new kind of influenca. The people went there and soon all settlers were safe. Commander Eagle didn't feel well to lie to the settlers, but he didn't want to cause a panic.
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. April's Office.After Ramrod was destroyed, Cavalry Command decided to create a new one. They didn't hear anything from the Outriders during the last month, but after the final battle this was normal. Cavalry Command decided it would be better to have a Ramrod Unit to protect New Frontier. April, who helped to develop the first Ramrod Unit years ago, was the best for this job. So, she was in charge for the third Ramrod. She was sitting near her desk, when someone knocked at the door.
"Come in," she said.
"Hi, April."
"Trista? I'm glad to see you. Are you still angry with me?"
"No, and I'm sorry that I hadn't visited you earlier. I had much time to think during my holidays."
"It's okay."
"I'm sorry, April. For all I said to you. But this time all was a mess."
"I'm not angry with you, Trista. I thought about this. And I can imagine that it was a hard time for you."
"Do you want to know what happened?"
April nodded. Trista went over to the desk and took a seat.
"You know, I visited Amy Granger, my best friend on Planet Far. It was good to have a friend. I was so hurt, so sad. She didn't blame me because of this. After some weeks, I began to feel queer. Morning sickness, vertigo. The usual symptoms of a pregnacy. At first, I wanted to have the baby, but after a time I changed my mind. When I had the abortion, I felt like the most useless person. And I had this feeling again a month ago. It still hurts, but I can deal with it. It was hard to tell Jesse, after all he was the father."
"How did he react?"
"He was sad about it. I mean really sad. But he didn't knew why. It was funny to see that the great Jesse Blue, who always knows everything, now knew nothing." Trista smiled.
"Thank you. I know it's hard to talk about this, and I'm glad you told me."
"You're my friend, April."
"A fine friend. I wanted to kiss Jesse on board of Ramrod."
"I know, he told me."
"You're not angry?"
"No, I can understand you. You have also your pride, April."
"Really?"
Trista nodded. April went over to her and embraced her friend.
"He moved into an own apartment?" asked April.
"Yes, I thought it was better this way."
"Then you are not longer….."
"We are still together. I only decided, that it's better to develop our relationship this way."
"You're careful. But I think, he loves you for real."
"I hope so, April. I hope."
The Highlands. The Castle of the Rider's.Sincia was wandering around the large corridors. The size of this castle scared her at first. But now, she felt fine. She liked Saber's parents, though they were preparating the marriage all the time. Saber often told them that they were not engaged, but the only answer he got from his parents was 'Only a matter of time'. It was funny to see Saber blushing.
Saber's parents didn't allow them to spend the nights together in his room, so Sincia got her own room. But every night, Saber sneaked into her bed.
Lost in her thoughts she stood in front of a window and watched the beautyful landscape of the highlands.
"Sincia?" Sincia jerked.
"I'm sorry, I didn't wanted to scare you."
"It's okay, Mrs. Rider. What can I do for you?"
"I only want to talk a bit."
"Of course."
"Saber is a good boy and he will make you happy for sure."
"Yes, I know."
"When he asks you to marry him, what will you say?"
Sincia swallowed. She was nervous. The castle, his parents. This all scared her a bit. She was frightened; she would be not good enough for Saber in his parents' eyes.
"Don't worry, Sincia. We would be glad to have you as daughter-in-law."
"Really?"
"Of course."
The night felt over the Highlands. As usual, Saber sneaked in Sincia's bed. She felt his warm body beside her.
"Thank you for bringing me here, Saber." She whispered.
"I promised you to."
"Yes. I'm glad that I can't remember the time in the Vapour Zone."
"It's over, Sincia. No one will hurt you. Never again. I will take care for this."
"Promised?"
"Yes, I promise."
"I like your parents."
"Sometimes they are old-fashioned."
"They love you much."
"Yes… Sincia?"
"Mh?"
"I have something for you."
"A present? How nice from you."
Saber sat up and gave her a small box. With trembling fingers, she opened it.
"Saber!"
"It's an engagement ring."
"Saber, do you…."
"Yes, Sincia. I want you to marry me."
"Yes, I want to marry you, Saber."
The next morning, Saber told his parents about his engagement to Sincia.
"As I said, only a matter of time." Was the answer from his father. Saber's mother went over to Sincia, who was standing beside Saber, and hugged her.
"Welcome to our family, Sincia."
Planet Yuma. Yuma City. A Mall. One Year Later.Sincia went out of the doctor's room, happily smiling. She went over to Trista, who were sitting in the waiting room. Trista saw her and stood up.
"And? What does the doctor say?"
"I was right. I'm pregnant."
"Sincia, that's great! I'm so happy for you."
Sincia asked Trista a few days ago to come with her to the gynaecologist. She wanted Trista to come, because April and Robin were married to Saber's best friends. So, they would have told them and she knew Colt and Fireball. Both of them weren't that good to keep a secret. Trista had to agree. She could keep a secret and if not, Jesse would never say a word.
Saber was wandering around the mall. He had much time and looked at the people around him. His gaze stopped on a near jewelry. And there he was. Jesse Blue. He was standing in front of the jewellery shop window
and was looking inside it. Saber decided to bother him a bit and so he joined his side by that window.
"Searching for something special?"
"Damnit, Tin Star. Why the hell are you sneaking? I nearly got a heart attack."
"I'm sorry for disturbing your daydreaming."
"I was not daydreaming. So, what are you doing here?"
"Sincia wanted to go to the dentist."
"Trista as well. Seems we have caries epidemic."
"Yeah. So, you're working for Cavalry Command?"
"Not really. From time to time."
"I thought you wouldn't change your mind."
"I'm a traitor, Tin Star. Do you really think that anyone will give me a job?"
"True. But working sometimes for Cavalry Command won't bring much money."
"I don't mind. I have enough."
"Really?"
"How do you think have I paid for Badlaner?"
"Mh. I never thought of this."
"My father had a big firm. He was succesful, earned more money we ever would have been able to spend. He worked hard and he expected much from me. Too much. I was only a child, but he bothered me to become the best. After my parents died, I was given to an orphanage. I was about eight years old. Too old to hope for an adpotion. The only way to get out of this before I was eighteen years old was joining Cavalry Command. So I did. You know the rest. I inherted my parents' capital. From this I paid for Badlander. And now there is enough left to live a good life."
"It's the first time you told me about your past."
"It's not a secret, Tin Star."
"Don't call me Tin Star, please?"
"Why not? Sounds good."
"Some things never change."
"Seems they are ready with fighting against caries."
"Mh?"
"Look." Jesse pointed towards the two women, who were walking up to them.
"Saber!" shouted Sincia and began to ran towarsd her husband. Trista followed her.
"This was fast." Said Saber surprised.
„True."
„Jesse? I would take the silver one over there. With the blue stone in the middle. This would be a great engagement ring for Trista." Saber winked at Jesse and went over to his wife.
"Damned Tin Star." Jesse whispered.
The endAuthor's Notes:
As I wrote 'All I want', the prequel for this story, it was only a try to get a feeling for writing in english. The first comments I got for this little try induced me to write a bit more detailled fanfic, a sequel to the happenings. And now it's done.
I bothered Ele with my chapters. She corrected my evil english. Thank you Ele for beeing so patient with me and for your help! J