A/N HI ALL OF YOU! THANK YOU FOR ALL REWIEWS AND E-MAILS, IT IS NICE TO
KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEONE WHO LIKES ALSO THIS CRAZY PRODUCT OF MY MIND :-)
HERE IS THE SO-LONG PROMISED NEXT CHAPTER. HAVE FUN WHEN READING IT....
LAST COMMENT: I DO NOT OWN NOTHING, I HAVE ONLY LENT THE CHARACTERS AND PLAYED WITH THEM A LITTLE
Chapter 4 – Admission
He was sitting in a dark room, tied strong to the chair. They have come suddenly, when he was still working in his office. Tall, strong and pitiless. That was, what he could read from their faces. In one sentence, they have expressed everything.
"Doctor Andersen, you will come with us."
They were not asking, they were ordering. Their strange accent only improved the threatening tone in the voice of their leader. The guns were hanging from their belts. No, he was not refusing. He followed them with no hesitation, even when he saw, what are they doing with his office.
Now, he was sitting here, in the dark and waiting. What do they want? It is having something with the dead captain of the starsheriffs, no doubt. He is not doing anything interesting except it at the moment. This is the only case, worth seeing for now.
He heard steps coming near. Somebody opened the door and broke the line of his thoughts. The sudden light caused pain to his eyes, meantime used on dark. He saw his kidnapers, followed by two other men. Also this two were tall, with a stone face. All five men were having cold gray eyes and except one, all were blond. The dark haired one came near to him and pretended, he is asking politely.
"I hope, you are satisfied with your accommodation, doctor Andersen. Please, let me welcome you in our small, private base. My name is Charenster."
It was not possible to overhear the sarcastic and together threatening tone in his voice.
"What do you want from me?"
"Ah, going straight to problem! Good, it will be easier. Doctor Andersen, not so long ago, you were invited to participate on an exhumation. Do you remember?"
"Which case do you mean? I'm was working on several during last months."
"Oh, you don't have to travel so far in time. I'm meaning the former head of the Ramrod team – captain Saber Rider. I'm sure, you remember it, all your stupid newspaper were writing about him."
Doctor Andersen was observing the faces in front of him. If he could get some time....Before leaving to the small village in desert, at least three times a week was someone from the Cavalry calling him, how far is he with the Rider case. What has he found there! He sent to Eagle a message, that by such unexpected result he has to tell him from eye to eye, so he's going back. Eagle was too busy, so he is expecting him next morning. He would notice, he's gone. Doctor Andersen decided to get as many time as possible, till next morning at least...
"Maybe."
"So maybe." Unfortunately, Charenster was aware, that time is against them. "I'm starting to doubt about the first impression. So, to be clear. If we are satisfied with your answers, you will die quickly and painless. If not, you will die the most horrible death, you can imagine. Do you understand?"
This was not a question of survive or not. He's going to die! They were just offering him two ways. Or are they only treating? One quick glare on their faces made him sure that this is not just a treat. This broke him and gave him a sudden power at once. He will not tell! He is not the first one, who is going to die in this war. The deal death or death made him stubborn.
"So, doctor Andersen, what are you going to tell us. What have you found there?"
"I'm not permitted to tell you."
"Doctor, you are not doing it easier for both of us. What was in the grave?"
"I'm not permitted to tell you."
"Doctor, for the last time. My name is Charenster, I'm an officer in the Calishian army, entrusted with a special task here. You have seen us and maybe you even remember the way to the base. We can not spare your life. But you can choose, how will you leave us." Than he added a few words in a strange speech. One of his companions took out two syringes, with transparent liquids inside. "Look here. After one, you fall asleep like a baby, forever of course. The second promise you fear and horror, like only few things in your whole life. It is on you, which one will you chose. What was in the grave?"
So they are Calishians. This explains their strange accent. The new enemies. He is not going to tell them, not now...
"I'm not permitted to tell you."
The dark haired man just sighed. "So, you have decided. We know very well, that Cavalry is still not having the result of the exhumation. We can not allow to let them find out, when we don't know." He again added some words in that strange language. Then took one of the syringes. Two others took him and held him.
Doctor felt suddenly a pain in his arm and then the faces around him vanished slowly in the dark.
*He took probably the wrong one, this is not so horrible....*
(((((((
Next day, board of Ramrod
The big space ship was coming near to planet Prometheus. During the last 24 hours, everybody tried to get as much rest as possible, to be prepared for the new mission, so two members of the team were taking care about flying and the second couple was sleeping. After twelve hours, they changed. Colt and April created the first couple. They were not speaking at all, because both of them had enough own problems to think about.
Colt: *This is ridiculous! I should stay at home after defeating the Outriders, with Robin. Everything was fine. I was a hero, had a loving girlfriend, knew who are my friends...Now, one of the best friends is death, my girlfriend is threating to leave me, because my new captain – Fireball is turning me on, hell, I don't know why. I'm not a gay, I love girls. We have a spy here and he is going to help us...I hope, that one day, when all of this will be after us, I will just laugh, but right now...To fight against the Outriders was so easy. Who are the Calishians? Fire sounded, his not unfamiliar with them. And what could they have against Saber? He never mentioned them. Maybe also the strange journalist asking me about Saber was one of them. But I think, my biggest problem is from this dimension – Robin. What to do? I love you. Still, I can not go to Fire and tell "Hi Turbofreak, great job on last mission, by the way, your turning me so on, that I can not concentrate in your presence any more." I'm not interested into having an affair with a man. Terrible, to tell him, to tell him not, to tell him, to tell him not.....what to do?*
April: *Dad is going to far, how could he? "I was sent here to watch over you." Daddy is forgetting where are the acceptable borders. John can be cute I admit, but still...What will come as next, a secret camera in my bedroom? And Fireball, he starts to protect him, why? He must feel very lonely after Saber...but how to help him? He's so, so inaccessible...like when he became the letter, that hurt him so, he was avoiding to tell us about that problem. Saber tried to help him, but did he succeed? None of them mentioned it, both of them were pretending nothing happened. That was probably the time, when they started this strange romance. Hm, now when I think about it, what exactly do we know about his previous life? He was working for the formula team for some time before starting to race, but what was before? Which school did he attend? Sometimes, I think he was not going to school at all. He was never mentioning any schoolmates, only some people from racing. And the strange comment last night, what can be so terrible in his past? I'm sure, Saber knew about it and it is obvious, he could it accept...And what the hell made Saber so dangerous for the Calishians? Where did he knew them from? Oh my God, this is becoming only more and more mysterious....Will it ever have an end?*
Trying to solve all the mysteries, April with Colt spent most of the twelve hours in silent. Most!
"Colt, what do you think about John?"
"Sorry, I really don't know, what to think about him. At first he was just a spy sent here. Now, it looks like, he's playing a double or even a triple game. He helped us, no doubt about that...."
"Yes, but can you put your opinion and prejudices aside and trust him?"
"Do you want to know, if he can betray us or fly Ramrod? Anyway, if Fireball can trust him, I can at least pretend it."
"Both of it. He's so strange, he's not telling everything, even now, I'm sure with that."
"One day, he will tell us."
"But when, when will the day come?"
"April, we are not speaking about John any more, right?"
"Of course not. Fire had always a lot of secrets, but he shared some of them with Saber. He had a plenty of possibilities to tell us also. Why was he silent all the time? Last night, he made a strange comment, something, like there is something terrible in his past, but he didn't elaborate."
"I don't wonder about that, he was very young when loosing parents. That is terrible, for example."
"No it was something different, I'm sure. By the way, he was speaking about his dad several times, but never mentioned his mother."
"After you're saying it...hm, maybe he even doesn't know her. April, we can not solve this alone. I suggest to ask him after this mission. If he wants us to trust him, he will tell us more..."
First half of the next patrol was also silent. But then, Fire started to ask John more about the Calishians, their political structure, their army, what exactly was in the demands, etc. It looked, like he/she is trying to get as much information as possible. John tried to answer as best as he could. He knew only approximate about the demands. With the army, he was surprisingly really unfamiliar and his knowledge of their politics could be summarized with few sentences.
"It is a dictatorship and there are some troubles for years. They tried to avoid, that we get any information, that' s also why we don't know about their army. The selected soldiers we saw, were good trained and equipped, but you can not consider the whole army from them."
Samantha was of course not asking only politely, she was trying to find the connection between the Calishians and Saber. When she imagined them as a couple, she smiled a little in her mind. She was hiding so many in front of Colt and April (better said in front of the whole world represented especially by Colt and April) and it looked like they know everything about Saber. In fact, he had even more secrets than she. He knew a lot from her previous life and didn't care, but he never spoke about his previous life......one of the keys to this mystery.
(((((((
The mission was finished successfully in less then two days. The Outriders really started to use the base again, still, there have been only few of them. The Starsheriffs were observing it for a day and attacking on the next one. The defense was very poor actually, only a fragment, comparing to the defense they used in war. The Outriders were probably not expecting the attack so soon. John with Colt under Fireballs command entered the base secretly, while April was waiting in Ramrod, ready to give them backup if needed, like in old times. Only the first resistance was strong. Colt, distracted by something nearly get shot, but John was quick enough to prevent it. Then, the Outriders lost the rest of courage. One of them drop a box before getting vaporized. Fireball took it.
Now all four of them were sitting in Ramrod, the box laid on the table, waiting to get open.
"So boys, it was not so bad. We can return home. Daddy should be less angry now, I suppose. What is that?"
"One of the Outriders dropped it before leaving our dimension. I though, it can be important, so I took it. Lets see, what's inside." said Fireball/Samantha and opened it. There were only few papers.
One glare was enough for John. "Oh my God! This can' t be! It's, it's...."
Fire read quickly the first one. She paled a little and started to read it again, this time loudly. "To representatives of Cavalry Command from M...S..., the second president of Calishian republic, Calish, 24... We are ready to join your union and accept most of your conditions. From your side, it is necessary to fulfill these requests. First, the person known as captain Saber Rider, leader of the Ramrod starsheriffs team will leave your army. Second, our army will stay under our command. Third....."
Everybody was now REALLY astonished.
"A copy of the Calishian demands. How is this possible, how could the Outriders get them?"
"John, you can maybe answer this. How many were they?"
"There were four I know about."
"Hm, four papers, so probably we're having all of them now. But how could the Outriders get them? And WHY were they keeping exactly here? Is it not suspicious?"
"This is ridiculous! I tell you. The demands were top secret. I swear! I can count the people who knew what was written there with these ten fingers!"
"Hm, John, in the Cavalry probably yes, but how many of the Calishians knew about them? And what exactly is Calish?"
"The capital city. A little strange and funny name, but not so much at all. You know, the dictatorship has started there about 20 years ago. Then, the so called president changed the name of the capital into Calish. Of course, the resistance is still there. I think the uprising against the dictator has begun very soon after he had come to power. The capital is situated on the fourth of the inhabited planets."
"And do you know where is the base of the rebels?"
"Not really, but when I put together what have I heard and think about it a little, I suppose, it is on the first planet. It is the nearest planet to the local sun, very hot and most of it is covered with deserts and mountains. Life there is very hard, so it has only a small number of inhabitants. The atmosphere is same as ours of course, anyway, wind and sand storms are there usually more times every day. It is difficult to use there any kind of machines, out of the few cities. The sand together with wind will destroy them very soon. I think, that's why the rebels could last there for so long. Of course, most of this is just my guesswork."
Everybody remained silent after this, Colt broke the silent as first.
"John, you said not so far ago, that the Calishians could not decide with whom form an alliance, with us, or the Outriders. Can it be, they have decided for the Outriders finally?"
"I can not say for what have they finally decided, but even if yes, why gave they the copy of demands to the Outriders and why were the Outriders keeping it exactly here? It doesn' t make any sense. "
"Maybe the Calishians wanted to win their trusting with showing the Outriders the list of the demands. Actually, most of them are like to an enemy and not to a partner. But why here? It looks like a very strange and suspicious accident."was Aprils comment after reading the next paper.
"So, again something, we can not explain. I suggest we will not say Eagle about it. I don't know how are you, but I feel, like somebody wanted to give us those papers. It was not an accident. Now, maybe we should concentrate on other problems." decided Fireball/Samantha. "Colt, what was distracting you there?"
That was exactly the question, Colt was hoping not to hear. He was very, very slowly starting to get his feelings to Fireball under control, when something in the corridor (was it the light, scent or whatever?) remembered him on the reason of his problems with Robin. Even now, sitting around the table he could not help himself and was observing Fireball secretly.
"Ah, nothing....nothing serious, I swear. It will not happen again."
"Hope not, we can not risk such episodes. We are starting a double war. Obvious against the Outriders, secret one against the Cavalry. Next time, somebody can pay for it with his life."
"Calm down Turbofreak, it will not come again. This was the first and last time."
"I would not count on it, Fire!"
"Why, April?"
"Colt, what are your problems with Robin about?" she continued, ignoring Fireball.
"Why are you asking? It is my own business."
"Because I have noticed, you were looking secretly on Fireball all the time."
"WHAT?" shouted Fireball/Samantha and jumped on feet. *Oh no, no please. Not him, not now......*
Colt said nothing and paled.
"Who is Robin? You mentioned her several times during last days." asked John.
"Colts girlfriend." answered April.
Fireball/Samantha licked her lips nervously (oh, how erotic seemed that for Colt) and asked. "Colt, is it true?"
"No, of course not." he tried to play a calm man. Failed totally of course.
"Colt, April has usually a very good observing ability, when looking on a man."
"HEY!!!"
Now Fire ignored her and continued. "Seriously, what is the problem between you and Robin?"
"I don't want to speak about it now!"
"And when? After somebody dies, because you were not careful or too proud? Tell me! We can go to my room, if you don't want in front of them."
"If I remember correct, you are also having some secrets. You always had them, from the beginning of existence of our team. Eagle had to tell us even your real name......if it is real! And you are forcing me to tell you about me? You, who has admitted your relationship to Saber after more then six months?"
"But my secrets were not dangerous for you." answered Fireball/Samantha with clenched teeth. "They could not cost somebody his life. How can we work together under such circumstances?"
John was observing the discussion silently, feeling, they are trying to solve an older problem, but hearing the sentence about Saber and Fireball he also jumped from his seat. Only Aprils hand pulling him back, prevented a sharp comment. He was a soldier at all, used on listening and obey, not on such situations.
"Later, now, they have to clear it between themselves." explained April quietly.
"Ha, still, forget it Fireball, I'm not going to tell you, do you understand? Until you are having your secrets, I will keep mine!"
"Colt!" *Oh my God. What to do? One day, they would probably find out anyway.... * "Good, I admit, it was not fair from me to force you to tell. But please tell us. Maybe we can help you. Then...." she gulped.
"Then?"
"Then, I'm ready to answer every question you have." finished Fireball/Samantha quietly.
Colt looked surprised on his pal first, second on John and April. Under other circumstances, he would refuse to speak about such things in front of either April or John, but the need to solve mysteries accumulated around Fire relieved him of shyness, so he gulped and started silently. "From the day when catching you and Saber together kissing, I was not so disgusted from it like pretended. I was...rather....hm....considering it very....erotic. Later, I started to imagine, you are kissing....me. That brought many problems with Robin, of course. Now she's forcing to leave me."
"She knows that you're...?"
"Yes, of course. She is still giving our partnership a chance you know. Things like this happened also before, you know, only the object was always a woman. It was only physical and vanished after few sentence with the chosen one. Someone told me once, that I'm probably just sensible to pheromones, that's all. So, Robin wanted me to speak with you, about....it. But please, don't take it as I'm interested into you!" added Colt hastily to the end of his admission.
The rest was looking shocked on Colt. Fire sighed and responded. "I have promised....I think I can accept it, if you, I mean all of you, can accept this. Colt, please, give me your hand."
"What?"
"Just give me your hand, Colt. Don't worry, I will not bite you." she smiled a little.
Colt extended his right arm. Fire/Samantha took the offered hand and put it on her chest. For a while no one was saying a word. After realizing WHAT is he holding in his hand, Colt looked shocked on Fireball.
"You are kidding.......you are kidding......this can not be.....this is ridiculous.....this is .....Oh my GOD!!!"
He looked in her eyes with his own, blue, big like tea plates. Finally, he was able to speak normally again. "So, Saber has been straight all the time." was his first complete sentence.
"Well, yes and you also." admitted the young woman with an apologizing smile. "Now, please, can you remove your hand from my breast?"
"Ah...of course." said now the fully red cowboy when removing his hand.
It was a little difficult for John and April to follow this conversation.
"What?"
"Fire, what are you trying to tell us?"
"Maybe I can tell you the whole story, if you sit down. But please, no one should ever find out, do you understand?"
"WOW, so you are a woman, that's why were you never interested into me! Oh, sorry. I promise, I tell no one." said April and reddened a little. "Before you start, can I have one question?"
"Ask."
"For how long knew Saber about this? I mean, he was always interested into you. And what were you meaning with your terrible past a few days ago. And..."
"April, I will answer as much as possible, now please, sit down. My name is Samantha Hikari. My father was the so many times mentioned Captain Hikari. I don't know who was my mother, I don't remember her. I was brought up by grandparents in community full of traditions, under name Shinji. There was school only for boys, we girls were tough only the basics at home. When fourteen, I had to marry a young men from a rich family. Young is maybe not a right expression. I consider him not so old now, he's ten years older then me. In that days, I was feeling like getting married with an uncle. I was not a good wife, I have to admit, but I was a child. After few problems, he let me go, he let me leave the community. His family was one those few, who had some contacts also out of the community, so he knew very well, what is waiting me out there."
"What do you mean with waiting out of there, Fire...sorry Samantha?
"April, I had no other choice how to get at least some money." said the young woman silently and shivered a little.
"You were doing...IT...for money ?"
Samantha only nodded and a tear occurred in her eye.
"How could you? How? Oh my God! Tell my!"
The boys were also shocked by hearing this.
"April, try to imagine. I was about fifteen and could hardly read and write. I had no education, I knew nothing and no one! This was the only thing, that was requiring only body and nothing else. I was hungry and scared. What would you do on my place?"
Now was April really shocked. She was judging Samantha very hard after her first words. This was not a kind of problems, that she was familiar with. Her mother died long ago, but she lived under the protecting wings of her father for most of her life. Yes, he was not always having enough time, but she never suffered from either material, or emotional shortage. She tried to imagine herself in the same situation. Hated by own family (she was clever enough to understand also what was Samantha saying not by words, but by tone), forced to get married while being a child, knowing only how to write own name....she was slowly coming to a conclusion.....realizing what would she do on Samanthas place. She remember the promise given to Fireball few days ago. She gulped before saying "Sorry, continue, please."
"He knew very well, that, I would return as soon as possible, scared and never thinking about going away. He was observing me, when waiting on my return. I would probably go back, when not one engineer. He gave me for a few seconds the feeling of being loved when satisfying him. On that evening, something in me broke. I understood that there is also love and....anyway, things, that are worthy to live for them. He had some problems at home, or whatever, so on next evening he came back. We were talking a little, on next evening more....slowly, he started to educate me. Understand, not like in school, but he opened me new doors, learning me, how to learn, how to collect information, how to use them....One evening he didn't come. I have never seen him again, still it was enough. Slowly, very slowly, I was starting to get free again. This time, it was a real freedom. I found a job in a formula team. I was using the name Shinji at first and was pretending I'm a boy, till now. Slowly, I became from a helper boy the number one driver, get the new nickname Fireball and finally ended here. At first, I was using the nick Fireball. Only Eagle knew me as Shinji Hikari. I have argued, that maybe some people here still remember my father and I don't want to be compared. He understood. My ex still wanted me back. After his first plan collapsed like a house from cards, he was waiting for a new opportunity."
"And Saber, did he knew about all this? I understand your reasons now, but I can not imagine he could accept this."
"He could. He knew from the first day also my true name. He didn't told to anyone, also not to me. Yasaturi – ex-husband - had enough of waiting. He send me a letter, if I don't return, he will discredit me with photos, documenting my previous life. I understood, this is the end, I have to leave. On that evening, you two were somewhere. Saber stayed here, with me. Am I right, when I say, he sent you away?"
The episode with the letter occurred in Aprils head again. "Yes, he sent us."
"Hm, later, I was suspecting that. So, he reveled, how much does he know about me. He said, that he saw my wedding photo somewhere, where was he staying for night when traveling. He knew my real name, also the name of my husband. I told him the rest. He was the first person in my life who win my trusting...and something else." She sighed and continued. "He...put some hypnotics into my tea. In the morning, when I woke up, he was already back, saying, my ex is not dangerous any more. Strange is, it had something with the Calishians. Ahh, wait a second. He said, that most of the income of my husbands family came from a non-transparent trading with them. He was threatening to tell the Calishians, if would he not leave me go. He had some contacts with the rebels, I suppose now."
"And on that day you two started to ...?"
"No, April, not really. Later. One day, I forgot to lock the door of shower. He opened it accidentally...I asked him to give me the towel and we....hm...hm....kissed and so on...I think that's all, I can say. But please, please, don't tell anybody....Ramrod, you, this is all I'm having right now..."
"Wait a second ! On the day I found you kissing, Saber asked me to tell no one, saying I'm having an innocent life in my hands. He was meaning you, I suppose. And, now I really understand why are you so wild to solve the mystery about his...leaving."
She just nodded. "Now, you know my whole life. I don't want you to love me or understand me. There is only one thing I'm asking for: Can you accept me also under such circumstances?"
She looked on April at first.
"I-I-I don't know. I mean, I can understand you...and don't take it bad, I think, I can accept it later, now...you just surprised me, no one of us was ready for a story like this. Please, consider me as a friend, I just have to think about it properly...I remember the promise I gave you and I can say right now, that I can respect you, I really just need to think about it..."
"And you , Colt?"
Colt was still shocked, so he answered after a few minutes of silence. "Hey, of course Turbofreak, ah Samantha....ah...how should we call you?"
"Fireball like till now is OK for me, or Turbofreak."
"I don't know, Turbofreak doesn't sound like a nickname for a girl to me."
"No one should find out who am I, don't forget it, Colt."
"What about Robin? I should tell her..."
"Sorry for breaking this conversation, but I think it will be enough when you tell this Ms. Robin only, that you have solved the problem with captain Fireball here. You know, under such circumstances..."
"John is right, Colt. I'm not against telling Robin one day, but this is really not the right time. And you John, can you promise me, Eagle will never find out?"
"I think, yes. Let's make a deal. You know my real reason for being here, I know your true identity..."
"I take it."
"Fine. Can I have one question. Am I the only one who noticed, the instead every question you answered with your story two new occurred?"
"What do you mean?"
"Who exactly was Captain Rider? How is possible, that he had so good contacts with the Calishian rebels, so good, that he became dangerous for the government there? How is possible, that he knew your name and the name of your ex-husband? You said, that you were living in a community with few contacts out of it. I'm starting to believe, he had more secrets than you!"
Samanthas sad face became serious. "Hm, you're right, actually, I don't know much about him."
"Maybe, you should tell us. No, no, don't take it, I-we won't be indiscreet but, it could help. I know from computer only that he was the only child of a noble couple from Highlands. But this is interesting. How old was he? 24, 25?"
"Nearly 25. Why are you asking?"
"His parents get married only twelve years ago. Did you know that? And there is nothing about a previous marriage of Mrs. Rider."
"Wow! That would explain why was Saber looking like his mother and had nothing from father. He was probably not his father at all! You know, I have noticed it while being at the Highlands with him." said April excited.
"Miss Hikari, is this new also to you?"
"First John, call me Fireball and second not really, I was suspecting something like that. He never told me directly, but sometimes, usually when being very nervous, he had such comments, that revealed me something. Still, I was not sure till now. And I think, he was not the only child. He had a younger sibling, probably a brother. Saber was very afraid, that something will happen to him, or that Mr. Rider will find out one day. Like the boy would be a shame for him or what. Maybe their father was or is one of the Calishian rebels and the boy is also one of the them. What do you think?"
"Yes, but do you know it, or are you just guessing?"
"I'm sure about his parents now. The existence of his brother is a more a guess."
Conversation in this interesting point get broken by Commander Eagle on a huge monitor.
"Hello children, so, how far are you with your task?"
"Hi Daddy! We have finished it successfully."
"Very well, Fireball, how was your new team in action?"
"Very good, under such circumstances I would say brilliant. The base is destroyed. The Outriders, were preparing a Renegade, but their defense was very poor."
"Have you found something interesting except the Renegade?"
Samantha gulped quietly by the question and answered. "No sir, nothing. We are returning to Yuma. I will give you the report with all details when being there." She put a protective hand on the papers on table simultaneously.
"Not so fast children. Half of the Cavalry is still wild about what have you done. I don't think it is a good idea to be back so soon."
"What do you suggest, sir?"
"I was speaking with Mr. Rider before calling you. The Riders want to hear about what have happened from people, who were there and who were Sabers closest friends, so all of you, John including, are invited to the Highlands. Stay there for at least two days. I will give you further instructions later. Good bye."
"Good bye, sir." said they and saluted. After the monitor get dark again, Fire commented the dialog.
"So, he is not really looking angry. Maybe, if we stay far enough from Yuma in next days, the consequences won't be so bad at all. And we can continue in solving our mystery. Maybe we will know more after visiting the Highlands."
"Sorry, captain, is there something, I don't know, about the death of Captain Rider?"
"Hm and quite a lot. We even created a list of suspicious things. I'm sure, April, with Colt will tell you everything. April, please, change our target to Earth. Hm, we should keep the lists of Calishian demands here, in Ramrod as a secret, if you agree. Now, please excuse me, I want to be alone." said Samantha, took the papers and left the room, while Colt with April once again started the whole story.
((((((((
A small base on a planet somewhere in universe
Jesse Blue was preparing his small battle ship for a journey, while Marco with Samantha were helping him.
"Jesse, are you sure with this trip to Highlands?"
"Hey, what is with you? You are usually the one ready for risk. Like giving those papers to the Starsheriffs! "
"That was different and you know it! Marco has full right to be worried. This is too dangerous! What, if somebody sees you?"
"I don't think, it's a real danger, my love. And we all owe it to her!"
"Right, but, for an example, what if the Starsheriffs occur there?"
"Come on, you two, what would the Ramrod crew do there? And still, also if yes, I'm not going to knock on the door in the afternoon and ask politely: Please, can the Master of the house welcome me right now? I'm will meet Mum during night, so no-one will find out. Trust me." he finished the arguments with a grin on Marco. Jesse knew very well, this was Marcos favorite sentence, he heard it countless times during last two years.
"Hm, but please, be careful, my dear. I have such a feeling, that the Starsheriffs will find out soon, very soon. Especially Samantha. When she puts together all, what is she knowing, the danger of finding the solution is not unreal."
"I don't think, it is that bad sister-heart. She is still missing a big part of the story. And I think, right now, they and she especially, would be concerned by the list of Calishian demands."
"If they have them."
"Aaa, those Outriders entrusted with delivery were not dumb. I'm still considering it as a stupid idea, but I can chose right people for such job. It was the best we could do under such circumstance. I'm more afraid of how will they react on them and if they tell to Eagle."
"Jesse, if this is the only thing, that is disturbing your beauty sleep...."
"Marco, Marco, I'm starting to believe, that those years in Cavalry had a bad influence on you."
The young man just smiled on the sentence from his sister, about him in the Cavalry. Oh, if the Starsheriffs just would know....
"I think, I have to leave now, so ...."
Marco wished him a good journey and left the couple alone for the last minutes. Kissing them was the last thing he saw. A picture of a young women occurred suddenly in his mind. (My dear, are you missing me so much as I do? I hope, we will see us again one day. Oh, if there just would be a different way...( Her beautiful body, fine scent, dark eyes...right now, he was a little jealous on Jesse and Simona, because they COULD be together. He took out a small photo and was looking on it with sad eyes.
(((((((
Same time in Eagles office
"Commander, we still can not find doctor Andersen, not a clue."
"Then, continue, detective, you have to find him. The Starsheriffs will not be in your way. I have sent them away from Yuma for enough long time. Inform me immediately, when knowing more.
LAST COMMENT: I DO NOT OWN NOTHING, I HAVE ONLY LENT THE CHARACTERS AND PLAYED WITH THEM A LITTLE
Chapter 4 – Admission
He was sitting in a dark room, tied strong to the chair. They have come suddenly, when he was still working in his office. Tall, strong and pitiless. That was, what he could read from their faces. In one sentence, they have expressed everything.
"Doctor Andersen, you will come with us."
They were not asking, they were ordering. Their strange accent only improved the threatening tone in the voice of their leader. The guns were hanging from their belts. No, he was not refusing. He followed them with no hesitation, even when he saw, what are they doing with his office.
Now, he was sitting here, in the dark and waiting. What do they want? It is having something with the dead captain of the starsheriffs, no doubt. He is not doing anything interesting except it at the moment. This is the only case, worth seeing for now.
He heard steps coming near. Somebody opened the door and broke the line of his thoughts. The sudden light caused pain to his eyes, meantime used on dark. He saw his kidnapers, followed by two other men. Also this two were tall, with a stone face. All five men were having cold gray eyes and except one, all were blond. The dark haired one came near to him and pretended, he is asking politely.
"I hope, you are satisfied with your accommodation, doctor Andersen. Please, let me welcome you in our small, private base. My name is Charenster."
It was not possible to overhear the sarcastic and together threatening tone in his voice.
"What do you want from me?"
"Ah, going straight to problem! Good, it will be easier. Doctor Andersen, not so long ago, you were invited to participate on an exhumation. Do you remember?"
"Which case do you mean? I'm was working on several during last months."
"Oh, you don't have to travel so far in time. I'm meaning the former head of the Ramrod team – captain Saber Rider. I'm sure, you remember it, all your stupid newspaper were writing about him."
Doctor Andersen was observing the faces in front of him. If he could get some time....Before leaving to the small village in desert, at least three times a week was someone from the Cavalry calling him, how far is he with the Rider case. What has he found there! He sent to Eagle a message, that by such unexpected result he has to tell him from eye to eye, so he's going back. Eagle was too busy, so he is expecting him next morning. He would notice, he's gone. Doctor Andersen decided to get as many time as possible, till next morning at least...
"Maybe."
"So maybe." Unfortunately, Charenster was aware, that time is against them. "I'm starting to doubt about the first impression. So, to be clear. If we are satisfied with your answers, you will die quickly and painless. If not, you will die the most horrible death, you can imagine. Do you understand?"
This was not a question of survive or not. He's going to die! They were just offering him two ways. Or are they only treating? One quick glare on their faces made him sure that this is not just a treat. This broke him and gave him a sudden power at once. He will not tell! He is not the first one, who is going to die in this war. The deal death or death made him stubborn.
"So, doctor Andersen, what are you going to tell us. What have you found there?"
"I'm not permitted to tell you."
"Doctor, you are not doing it easier for both of us. What was in the grave?"
"I'm not permitted to tell you."
"Doctor, for the last time. My name is Charenster, I'm an officer in the Calishian army, entrusted with a special task here. You have seen us and maybe you even remember the way to the base. We can not spare your life. But you can choose, how will you leave us." Than he added a few words in a strange speech. One of his companions took out two syringes, with transparent liquids inside. "Look here. After one, you fall asleep like a baby, forever of course. The second promise you fear and horror, like only few things in your whole life. It is on you, which one will you chose. What was in the grave?"
So they are Calishians. This explains their strange accent. The new enemies. He is not going to tell them, not now...
"I'm not permitted to tell you."
The dark haired man just sighed. "So, you have decided. We know very well, that Cavalry is still not having the result of the exhumation. We can not allow to let them find out, when we don't know." He again added some words in that strange language. Then took one of the syringes. Two others took him and held him.
Doctor felt suddenly a pain in his arm and then the faces around him vanished slowly in the dark.
*He took probably the wrong one, this is not so horrible....*
(((((((
Next day, board of Ramrod
The big space ship was coming near to planet Prometheus. During the last 24 hours, everybody tried to get as much rest as possible, to be prepared for the new mission, so two members of the team were taking care about flying and the second couple was sleeping. After twelve hours, they changed. Colt and April created the first couple. They were not speaking at all, because both of them had enough own problems to think about.
Colt: *This is ridiculous! I should stay at home after defeating the Outriders, with Robin. Everything was fine. I was a hero, had a loving girlfriend, knew who are my friends...Now, one of the best friends is death, my girlfriend is threating to leave me, because my new captain – Fireball is turning me on, hell, I don't know why. I'm not a gay, I love girls. We have a spy here and he is going to help us...I hope, that one day, when all of this will be after us, I will just laugh, but right now...To fight against the Outriders was so easy. Who are the Calishians? Fire sounded, his not unfamiliar with them. And what could they have against Saber? He never mentioned them. Maybe also the strange journalist asking me about Saber was one of them. But I think, my biggest problem is from this dimension – Robin. What to do? I love you. Still, I can not go to Fire and tell "Hi Turbofreak, great job on last mission, by the way, your turning me so on, that I can not concentrate in your presence any more." I'm not interested into having an affair with a man. Terrible, to tell him, to tell him not, to tell him, to tell him not.....what to do?*
April: *Dad is going to far, how could he? "I was sent here to watch over you." Daddy is forgetting where are the acceptable borders. John can be cute I admit, but still...What will come as next, a secret camera in my bedroom? And Fireball, he starts to protect him, why? He must feel very lonely after Saber...but how to help him? He's so, so inaccessible...like when he became the letter, that hurt him so, he was avoiding to tell us about that problem. Saber tried to help him, but did he succeed? None of them mentioned it, both of them were pretending nothing happened. That was probably the time, when they started this strange romance. Hm, now when I think about it, what exactly do we know about his previous life? He was working for the formula team for some time before starting to race, but what was before? Which school did he attend? Sometimes, I think he was not going to school at all. He was never mentioning any schoolmates, only some people from racing. And the strange comment last night, what can be so terrible in his past? I'm sure, Saber knew about it and it is obvious, he could it accept...And what the hell made Saber so dangerous for the Calishians? Where did he knew them from? Oh my God, this is becoming only more and more mysterious....Will it ever have an end?*
Trying to solve all the mysteries, April with Colt spent most of the twelve hours in silent. Most!
"Colt, what do you think about John?"
"Sorry, I really don't know, what to think about him. At first he was just a spy sent here. Now, it looks like, he's playing a double or even a triple game. He helped us, no doubt about that...."
"Yes, but can you put your opinion and prejudices aside and trust him?"
"Do you want to know, if he can betray us or fly Ramrod? Anyway, if Fireball can trust him, I can at least pretend it."
"Both of it. He's so strange, he's not telling everything, even now, I'm sure with that."
"One day, he will tell us."
"But when, when will the day come?"
"April, we are not speaking about John any more, right?"
"Of course not. Fire had always a lot of secrets, but he shared some of them with Saber. He had a plenty of possibilities to tell us also. Why was he silent all the time? Last night, he made a strange comment, something, like there is something terrible in his past, but he didn't elaborate."
"I don't wonder about that, he was very young when loosing parents. That is terrible, for example."
"No it was something different, I'm sure. By the way, he was speaking about his dad several times, but never mentioned his mother."
"After you're saying it...hm, maybe he even doesn't know her. April, we can not solve this alone. I suggest to ask him after this mission. If he wants us to trust him, he will tell us more..."
First half of the next patrol was also silent. But then, Fire started to ask John more about the Calishians, their political structure, their army, what exactly was in the demands, etc. It looked, like he/she is trying to get as much information as possible. John tried to answer as best as he could. He knew only approximate about the demands. With the army, he was surprisingly really unfamiliar and his knowledge of their politics could be summarized with few sentences.
"It is a dictatorship and there are some troubles for years. They tried to avoid, that we get any information, that' s also why we don't know about their army. The selected soldiers we saw, were good trained and equipped, but you can not consider the whole army from them."
Samantha was of course not asking only politely, she was trying to find the connection between the Calishians and Saber. When she imagined them as a couple, she smiled a little in her mind. She was hiding so many in front of Colt and April (better said in front of the whole world represented especially by Colt and April) and it looked like they know everything about Saber. In fact, he had even more secrets than she. He knew a lot from her previous life and didn't care, but he never spoke about his previous life......one of the keys to this mystery.
(((((((
The mission was finished successfully in less then two days. The Outriders really started to use the base again, still, there have been only few of them. The Starsheriffs were observing it for a day and attacking on the next one. The defense was very poor actually, only a fragment, comparing to the defense they used in war. The Outriders were probably not expecting the attack so soon. John with Colt under Fireballs command entered the base secretly, while April was waiting in Ramrod, ready to give them backup if needed, like in old times. Only the first resistance was strong. Colt, distracted by something nearly get shot, but John was quick enough to prevent it. Then, the Outriders lost the rest of courage. One of them drop a box before getting vaporized. Fireball took it.
Now all four of them were sitting in Ramrod, the box laid on the table, waiting to get open.
"So boys, it was not so bad. We can return home. Daddy should be less angry now, I suppose. What is that?"
"One of the Outriders dropped it before leaving our dimension. I though, it can be important, so I took it. Lets see, what's inside." said Fireball/Samantha and opened it. There were only few papers.
One glare was enough for John. "Oh my God! This can' t be! It's, it's...."
Fire read quickly the first one. She paled a little and started to read it again, this time loudly. "To representatives of Cavalry Command from M...S..., the second president of Calishian republic, Calish, 24... We are ready to join your union and accept most of your conditions. From your side, it is necessary to fulfill these requests. First, the person known as captain Saber Rider, leader of the Ramrod starsheriffs team will leave your army. Second, our army will stay under our command. Third....."
Everybody was now REALLY astonished.
"A copy of the Calishian demands. How is this possible, how could the Outriders get them?"
"John, you can maybe answer this. How many were they?"
"There were four I know about."
"Hm, four papers, so probably we're having all of them now. But how could the Outriders get them? And WHY were they keeping exactly here? Is it not suspicious?"
"This is ridiculous! I tell you. The demands were top secret. I swear! I can count the people who knew what was written there with these ten fingers!"
"Hm, John, in the Cavalry probably yes, but how many of the Calishians knew about them? And what exactly is Calish?"
"The capital city. A little strange and funny name, but not so much at all. You know, the dictatorship has started there about 20 years ago. Then, the so called president changed the name of the capital into Calish. Of course, the resistance is still there. I think the uprising against the dictator has begun very soon after he had come to power. The capital is situated on the fourth of the inhabited planets."
"And do you know where is the base of the rebels?"
"Not really, but when I put together what have I heard and think about it a little, I suppose, it is on the first planet. It is the nearest planet to the local sun, very hot and most of it is covered with deserts and mountains. Life there is very hard, so it has only a small number of inhabitants. The atmosphere is same as ours of course, anyway, wind and sand storms are there usually more times every day. It is difficult to use there any kind of machines, out of the few cities. The sand together with wind will destroy them very soon. I think, that's why the rebels could last there for so long. Of course, most of this is just my guesswork."
Everybody remained silent after this, Colt broke the silent as first.
"John, you said not so far ago, that the Calishians could not decide with whom form an alliance, with us, or the Outriders. Can it be, they have decided for the Outriders finally?"
"I can not say for what have they finally decided, but even if yes, why gave they the copy of demands to the Outriders and why were the Outriders keeping it exactly here? It doesn' t make any sense. "
"Maybe the Calishians wanted to win their trusting with showing the Outriders the list of the demands. Actually, most of them are like to an enemy and not to a partner. But why here? It looks like a very strange and suspicious accident."was Aprils comment after reading the next paper.
"So, again something, we can not explain. I suggest we will not say Eagle about it. I don't know how are you, but I feel, like somebody wanted to give us those papers. It was not an accident. Now, maybe we should concentrate on other problems." decided Fireball/Samantha. "Colt, what was distracting you there?"
That was exactly the question, Colt was hoping not to hear. He was very, very slowly starting to get his feelings to Fireball under control, when something in the corridor (was it the light, scent or whatever?) remembered him on the reason of his problems with Robin. Even now, sitting around the table he could not help himself and was observing Fireball secretly.
"Ah, nothing....nothing serious, I swear. It will not happen again."
"Hope not, we can not risk such episodes. We are starting a double war. Obvious against the Outriders, secret one against the Cavalry. Next time, somebody can pay for it with his life."
"Calm down Turbofreak, it will not come again. This was the first and last time."
"I would not count on it, Fire!"
"Why, April?"
"Colt, what are your problems with Robin about?" she continued, ignoring Fireball.
"Why are you asking? It is my own business."
"Because I have noticed, you were looking secretly on Fireball all the time."
"WHAT?" shouted Fireball/Samantha and jumped on feet. *Oh no, no please. Not him, not now......*
Colt said nothing and paled.
"Who is Robin? You mentioned her several times during last days." asked John.
"Colts girlfriend." answered April.
Fireball/Samantha licked her lips nervously (oh, how erotic seemed that for Colt) and asked. "Colt, is it true?"
"No, of course not." he tried to play a calm man. Failed totally of course.
"Colt, April has usually a very good observing ability, when looking on a man."
"HEY!!!"
Now Fire ignored her and continued. "Seriously, what is the problem between you and Robin?"
"I don't want to speak about it now!"
"And when? After somebody dies, because you were not careful or too proud? Tell me! We can go to my room, if you don't want in front of them."
"If I remember correct, you are also having some secrets. You always had them, from the beginning of existence of our team. Eagle had to tell us even your real name......if it is real! And you are forcing me to tell you about me? You, who has admitted your relationship to Saber after more then six months?"
"But my secrets were not dangerous for you." answered Fireball/Samantha with clenched teeth. "They could not cost somebody his life. How can we work together under such circumstances?"
John was observing the discussion silently, feeling, they are trying to solve an older problem, but hearing the sentence about Saber and Fireball he also jumped from his seat. Only Aprils hand pulling him back, prevented a sharp comment. He was a soldier at all, used on listening and obey, not on such situations.
"Later, now, they have to clear it between themselves." explained April quietly.
"Ha, still, forget it Fireball, I'm not going to tell you, do you understand? Until you are having your secrets, I will keep mine!"
"Colt!" *Oh my God. What to do? One day, they would probably find out anyway.... * "Good, I admit, it was not fair from me to force you to tell. But please tell us. Maybe we can help you. Then...." she gulped.
"Then?"
"Then, I'm ready to answer every question you have." finished Fireball/Samantha quietly.
Colt looked surprised on his pal first, second on John and April. Under other circumstances, he would refuse to speak about such things in front of either April or John, but the need to solve mysteries accumulated around Fire relieved him of shyness, so he gulped and started silently. "From the day when catching you and Saber together kissing, I was not so disgusted from it like pretended. I was...rather....hm....considering it very....erotic. Later, I started to imagine, you are kissing....me. That brought many problems with Robin, of course. Now she's forcing to leave me."
"She knows that you're...?"
"Yes, of course. She is still giving our partnership a chance you know. Things like this happened also before, you know, only the object was always a woman. It was only physical and vanished after few sentence with the chosen one. Someone told me once, that I'm probably just sensible to pheromones, that's all. So, Robin wanted me to speak with you, about....it. But please, don't take it as I'm interested into you!" added Colt hastily to the end of his admission.
The rest was looking shocked on Colt. Fire sighed and responded. "I have promised....I think I can accept it, if you, I mean all of you, can accept this. Colt, please, give me your hand."
"What?"
"Just give me your hand, Colt. Don't worry, I will not bite you." she smiled a little.
Colt extended his right arm. Fire/Samantha took the offered hand and put it on her chest. For a while no one was saying a word. After realizing WHAT is he holding in his hand, Colt looked shocked on Fireball.
"You are kidding.......you are kidding......this can not be.....this is ridiculous.....this is .....Oh my GOD!!!"
He looked in her eyes with his own, blue, big like tea plates. Finally, he was able to speak normally again. "So, Saber has been straight all the time." was his first complete sentence.
"Well, yes and you also." admitted the young woman with an apologizing smile. "Now, please, can you remove your hand from my breast?"
"Ah...of course." said now the fully red cowboy when removing his hand.
It was a little difficult for John and April to follow this conversation.
"What?"
"Fire, what are you trying to tell us?"
"Maybe I can tell you the whole story, if you sit down. But please, no one should ever find out, do you understand?"
"WOW, so you are a woman, that's why were you never interested into me! Oh, sorry. I promise, I tell no one." said April and reddened a little. "Before you start, can I have one question?"
"Ask."
"For how long knew Saber about this? I mean, he was always interested into you. And what were you meaning with your terrible past a few days ago. And..."
"April, I will answer as much as possible, now please, sit down. My name is Samantha Hikari. My father was the so many times mentioned Captain Hikari. I don't know who was my mother, I don't remember her. I was brought up by grandparents in community full of traditions, under name Shinji. There was school only for boys, we girls were tough only the basics at home. When fourteen, I had to marry a young men from a rich family. Young is maybe not a right expression. I consider him not so old now, he's ten years older then me. In that days, I was feeling like getting married with an uncle. I was not a good wife, I have to admit, but I was a child. After few problems, he let me go, he let me leave the community. His family was one those few, who had some contacts also out of the community, so he knew very well, what is waiting me out there."
"What do you mean with waiting out of there, Fire...sorry Samantha?
"April, I had no other choice how to get at least some money." said the young woman silently and shivered a little.
"You were doing...IT...for money ?"
Samantha only nodded and a tear occurred in her eye.
"How could you? How? Oh my God! Tell my!"
The boys were also shocked by hearing this.
"April, try to imagine. I was about fifteen and could hardly read and write. I had no education, I knew nothing and no one! This was the only thing, that was requiring only body and nothing else. I was hungry and scared. What would you do on my place?"
Now was April really shocked. She was judging Samantha very hard after her first words. This was not a kind of problems, that she was familiar with. Her mother died long ago, but she lived under the protecting wings of her father for most of her life. Yes, he was not always having enough time, but she never suffered from either material, or emotional shortage. She tried to imagine herself in the same situation. Hated by own family (she was clever enough to understand also what was Samantha saying not by words, but by tone), forced to get married while being a child, knowing only how to write own name....she was slowly coming to a conclusion.....realizing what would she do on Samanthas place. She remember the promise given to Fireball few days ago. She gulped before saying "Sorry, continue, please."
"He knew very well, that, I would return as soon as possible, scared and never thinking about going away. He was observing me, when waiting on my return. I would probably go back, when not one engineer. He gave me for a few seconds the feeling of being loved when satisfying him. On that evening, something in me broke. I understood that there is also love and....anyway, things, that are worthy to live for them. He had some problems at home, or whatever, so on next evening he came back. We were talking a little, on next evening more....slowly, he started to educate me. Understand, not like in school, but he opened me new doors, learning me, how to learn, how to collect information, how to use them....One evening he didn't come. I have never seen him again, still it was enough. Slowly, very slowly, I was starting to get free again. This time, it was a real freedom. I found a job in a formula team. I was using the name Shinji at first and was pretending I'm a boy, till now. Slowly, I became from a helper boy the number one driver, get the new nickname Fireball and finally ended here. At first, I was using the nick Fireball. Only Eagle knew me as Shinji Hikari. I have argued, that maybe some people here still remember my father and I don't want to be compared. He understood. My ex still wanted me back. After his first plan collapsed like a house from cards, he was waiting for a new opportunity."
"And Saber, did he knew about all this? I understand your reasons now, but I can not imagine he could accept this."
"He could. He knew from the first day also my true name. He didn't told to anyone, also not to me. Yasaturi – ex-husband - had enough of waiting. He send me a letter, if I don't return, he will discredit me with photos, documenting my previous life. I understood, this is the end, I have to leave. On that evening, you two were somewhere. Saber stayed here, with me. Am I right, when I say, he sent you away?"
The episode with the letter occurred in Aprils head again. "Yes, he sent us."
"Hm, later, I was suspecting that. So, he reveled, how much does he know about me. He said, that he saw my wedding photo somewhere, where was he staying for night when traveling. He knew my real name, also the name of my husband. I told him the rest. He was the first person in my life who win my trusting...and something else." She sighed and continued. "He...put some hypnotics into my tea. In the morning, when I woke up, he was already back, saying, my ex is not dangerous any more. Strange is, it had something with the Calishians. Ahh, wait a second. He said, that most of the income of my husbands family came from a non-transparent trading with them. He was threatening to tell the Calishians, if would he not leave me go. He had some contacts with the rebels, I suppose now."
"And on that day you two started to ...?"
"No, April, not really. Later. One day, I forgot to lock the door of shower. He opened it accidentally...I asked him to give me the towel and we....hm...hm....kissed and so on...I think that's all, I can say. But please, please, don't tell anybody....Ramrod, you, this is all I'm having right now..."
"Wait a second ! On the day I found you kissing, Saber asked me to tell no one, saying I'm having an innocent life in my hands. He was meaning you, I suppose. And, now I really understand why are you so wild to solve the mystery about his...leaving."
She just nodded. "Now, you know my whole life. I don't want you to love me or understand me. There is only one thing I'm asking for: Can you accept me also under such circumstances?"
She looked on April at first.
"I-I-I don't know. I mean, I can understand you...and don't take it bad, I think, I can accept it later, now...you just surprised me, no one of us was ready for a story like this. Please, consider me as a friend, I just have to think about it properly...I remember the promise I gave you and I can say right now, that I can respect you, I really just need to think about it..."
"And you , Colt?"
Colt was still shocked, so he answered after a few minutes of silence. "Hey, of course Turbofreak, ah Samantha....ah...how should we call you?"
"Fireball like till now is OK for me, or Turbofreak."
"I don't know, Turbofreak doesn't sound like a nickname for a girl to me."
"No one should find out who am I, don't forget it, Colt."
"What about Robin? I should tell her..."
"Sorry for breaking this conversation, but I think it will be enough when you tell this Ms. Robin only, that you have solved the problem with captain Fireball here. You know, under such circumstances..."
"John is right, Colt. I'm not against telling Robin one day, but this is really not the right time. And you John, can you promise me, Eagle will never find out?"
"I think, yes. Let's make a deal. You know my real reason for being here, I know your true identity..."
"I take it."
"Fine. Can I have one question. Am I the only one who noticed, the instead every question you answered with your story two new occurred?"
"What do you mean?"
"Who exactly was Captain Rider? How is possible, that he had so good contacts with the Calishian rebels, so good, that he became dangerous for the government there? How is possible, that he knew your name and the name of your ex-husband? You said, that you were living in a community with few contacts out of it. I'm starting to believe, he had more secrets than you!"
Samanthas sad face became serious. "Hm, you're right, actually, I don't know much about him."
"Maybe, you should tell us. No, no, don't take it, I-we won't be indiscreet but, it could help. I know from computer only that he was the only child of a noble couple from Highlands. But this is interesting. How old was he? 24, 25?"
"Nearly 25. Why are you asking?"
"His parents get married only twelve years ago. Did you know that? And there is nothing about a previous marriage of Mrs. Rider."
"Wow! That would explain why was Saber looking like his mother and had nothing from father. He was probably not his father at all! You know, I have noticed it while being at the Highlands with him." said April excited.
"Miss Hikari, is this new also to you?"
"First John, call me Fireball and second not really, I was suspecting something like that. He never told me directly, but sometimes, usually when being very nervous, he had such comments, that revealed me something. Still, I was not sure till now. And I think, he was not the only child. He had a younger sibling, probably a brother. Saber was very afraid, that something will happen to him, or that Mr. Rider will find out one day. Like the boy would be a shame for him or what. Maybe their father was or is one of the Calishian rebels and the boy is also one of the them. What do you think?"
"Yes, but do you know it, or are you just guessing?"
"I'm sure about his parents now. The existence of his brother is a more a guess."
Conversation in this interesting point get broken by Commander Eagle on a huge monitor.
"Hello children, so, how far are you with your task?"
"Hi Daddy! We have finished it successfully."
"Very well, Fireball, how was your new team in action?"
"Very good, under such circumstances I would say brilliant. The base is destroyed. The Outriders, were preparing a Renegade, but their defense was very poor."
"Have you found something interesting except the Renegade?"
Samantha gulped quietly by the question and answered. "No sir, nothing. We are returning to Yuma. I will give you the report with all details when being there." She put a protective hand on the papers on table simultaneously.
"Not so fast children. Half of the Cavalry is still wild about what have you done. I don't think it is a good idea to be back so soon."
"What do you suggest, sir?"
"I was speaking with Mr. Rider before calling you. The Riders want to hear about what have happened from people, who were there and who were Sabers closest friends, so all of you, John including, are invited to the Highlands. Stay there for at least two days. I will give you further instructions later. Good bye."
"Good bye, sir." said they and saluted. After the monitor get dark again, Fire commented the dialog.
"So, he is not really looking angry. Maybe, if we stay far enough from Yuma in next days, the consequences won't be so bad at all. And we can continue in solving our mystery. Maybe we will know more after visiting the Highlands."
"Sorry, captain, is there something, I don't know, about the death of Captain Rider?"
"Hm and quite a lot. We even created a list of suspicious things. I'm sure, April, with Colt will tell you everything. April, please, change our target to Earth. Hm, we should keep the lists of Calishian demands here, in Ramrod as a secret, if you agree. Now, please excuse me, I want to be alone." said Samantha, took the papers and left the room, while Colt with April once again started the whole story.
((((((((
A small base on a planet somewhere in universe
Jesse Blue was preparing his small battle ship for a journey, while Marco with Samantha were helping him.
"Jesse, are you sure with this trip to Highlands?"
"Hey, what is with you? You are usually the one ready for risk. Like giving those papers to the Starsheriffs! "
"That was different and you know it! Marco has full right to be worried. This is too dangerous! What, if somebody sees you?"
"I don't think, it's a real danger, my love. And we all owe it to her!"
"Right, but, for an example, what if the Starsheriffs occur there?"
"Come on, you two, what would the Ramrod crew do there? And still, also if yes, I'm not going to knock on the door in the afternoon and ask politely: Please, can the Master of the house welcome me right now? I'm will meet Mum during night, so no-one will find out. Trust me." he finished the arguments with a grin on Marco. Jesse knew very well, this was Marcos favorite sentence, he heard it countless times during last two years.
"Hm, but please, be careful, my dear. I have such a feeling, that the Starsheriffs will find out soon, very soon. Especially Samantha. When she puts together all, what is she knowing, the danger of finding the solution is not unreal."
"I don't think, it is that bad sister-heart. She is still missing a big part of the story. And I think, right now, they and she especially, would be concerned by the list of Calishian demands."
"If they have them."
"Aaa, those Outriders entrusted with delivery were not dumb. I'm still considering it as a stupid idea, but I can chose right people for such job. It was the best we could do under such circumstance. I'm more afraid of how will they react on them and if they tell to Eagle."
"Jesse, if this is the only thing, that is disturbing your beauty sleep...."
"Marco, Marco, I'm starting to believe, that those years in Cavalry had a bad influence on you."
The young man just smiled on the sentence from his sister, about him in the Cavalry. Oh, if the Starsheriffs just would know....
"I think, I have to leave now, so ...."
Marco wished him a good journey and left the couple alone for the last minutes. Kissing them was the last thing he saw. A picture of a young women occurred suddenly in his mind. (My dear, are you missing me so much as I do? I hope, we will see us again one day. Oh, if there just would be a different way...( Her beautiful body, fine scent, dark eyes...right now, he was a little jealous on Jesse and Simona, because they COULD be together. He took out a small photo and was looking on it with sad eyes.
(((((((
Same time in Eagles office
"Commander, we still can not find doctor Andersen, not a clue."
"Then, continue, detective, you have to find him. The Starsheriffs will not be in your way. I have sent them away from Yuma for enough long time. Inform me immediately, when knowing more.