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...IF
YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, CRITICISM, COMPLIMENTS, WANT TO ASK ANYTHING, OR
JUST WANT TO LEAVE A MESSAGE, FEEL FREE AND REWIEV.
FEW TECHNICAL COMMENTS – WORDS BETWEEN ( ( OR MEANS WHAT IS SOMEBODY THINKING, BUT NOT TELLING, OR WHEN REFERING TO FIREBALL AS TO HIM. – BECAUSE OF IS GOING A LITTLE CRAZY TO POSSIBILITIES.
MY ENGLISH IS SAME BAD AS TILL NOW, SO PLEASE BE TOLERANT, IT IS DIFFICULT TO WRITE IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE, WITH DICTIONARY PERMANENT ON MY KNEES ( I TRIED TO PUT AWAY AS MANY MISTAKES AS POSSIBLE, BUT STILL....
SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SENT ME PHOTOS OF SABER'S PARENTS, IT'S A NICE COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE I HAVE SEEN AN EPIZODE WITH THEM, SO I REMEMBER ONLY DIMLY HOW WERE THEY LOOKING LIKE.
LAST COMMENT: I DO NOT OWN NOTHING, I HAVE ONLY LENT THE CHARACTERS AND PLAYED WITH THEM A LITTLE
WINTERMAGE
Chapter 5 – In the Highlands
Highlands
In the middle of afternoon, landing of a big spaceship was disturbing the quiet castle in Highlands. Four young people walked out and three of them observed astonished the old complex of buildings made from stone. Except April none of them have ever seen the place, that Saber was calling home. Fine, all of them knew that Saber came from a noble family, but till now it was something abstract, he was never shoving it either in public, or in privacy.
April ignored their astonishment and led them straight to one of the buildings. A tall man in middle age went through the courtyard towards them. He had short dark brown hair and beard of the same color. Despite five decades after him, his movements were fast and flexible, like thirty years ago. Black suit fitted him perfectly. The words were not necessary, this was obviously Mister Rider, realized John. The rest for the first time noticed, that the height was the only similarity to Saber.
"Good day, let me welcome you in the house of the Riders. April!" he bowed a little in front of her and kissed her hand. "Colt, Fireball!"
"Mr. Rider, please accept our condolence."
"Thank you." he looked on the rest of the team with sad eyes. "Pity, we are meeting under such circumstances."
"Let me introduce you our new member. This is John Walters."
"Edward Rider."
Edward gave all of them hand. After doing that, he invited the whole company inside. "Please, come in, my wife is already awaiting you. Health prevented her to welcome you here. Follow me please."
John looked surprised when hearing about the problems of Mrs. Rider. He spent too short time with the Ramrod crew to know about the disease, that Mary Rider was suffering from for long years. Mary Rider was waiting for the company in a big cozy room, sitting in an armchair near fire. She was wearing long black dress and her feet were wrapped in a blanket.
"Mary, our guests. April you remember, this is Fireball and Colt and this young gentleman is John."
"Welcome children. Please, sit down. I have already ordered a tee for you."
This was the first time Samantha with Colt met Mary. Looking in her face, both realized, how similar was Saber to his mother. The same smile, the same way of looking on people. Only his eyes were different, he had them probably from his real father.
"Please, accept our condolence, Mrs. Rider."
She sighed. "Thank you. Please, call me Mary and now sit down. I'm glad, you have come."
They together with Edward sat down round a near table, adjusting the chairs to see Mary. A young woman brought the tee and some biscuits. She put them in the middle of the table, except one cup, that ended in the hands of Sabers mother.
Edward offered them to the company. "Please take, you are probably hungry and the dinner will not be ready sooner than in one hour."
"And now children, please, tell us. Was it "Mary gulped "painful?"
Samantha sighed, she knew very well, that due to her relationship to Saber, she should tell to parents of her lover the details. "No. He said, he needs to clear his head, so he left the village alone. He looked very worried in those days. There, in the desert, the snake bit him. It was quick and painless, over after few minutes." she rather decided not to tell Sabers parents that they found him accidentally and till now don't know for how long was he...
"He was not suffering. His last words were, we should not be worried. He was the hero to the end." added Colt, understanding, Sam don't wants to make it worse for the couple. It was bad enough.
"A young woman from the village said that the poison is working very quick and the funeral should be as soon as possible, because it can have, hm, disgusting consequences."
"I understand. Who was she?"
April continued telling the story, she found her at all. "Actually, we don't know. She was not local. When I was asking for a doctor, she offered herself with words that there is no doctor, but she could help. One of the inhabitants told me later, she came few days ago, studying the local fauna."
"How was she looking like?"
"Ahm, we don't know, she was wearing a big hat and vanished very soon. I'm sorry." explained April little ashamed. The sudden interest for the unknown girl surprised her a little.
"She was tall and there was something strange familiar on her. I'm still having feeling, I have already seen her somewhere and at the same time I'm knowing we have never met before. Maybe we will see us again." said Samantha.
"Oh, Mary, what are these for questions. Please, continue with the story." Edward saw the sudden interest on his wife's face. To his shock, the sadness vanished and the others have noticed it also. Probably.
"There is not much to tell more, Mr. Rider. The funeral was on next day and after it we, hm, get drunk."
"That's understandable. What else? We heard, that something happened on the cemetery."
The Starsheriffs were not planning to tell the Riders about the devastation of grave of their only son, but after that question, they should. When judging the face expression of Mary Rider, Samantha understood that Edward told her nothing. "The Satanists made there one of their ceremonies. We are sorry for that."
"No, you don't have to, it was not your fault at all. But I can not believe, that even the Satanists could do something like that. I'm not going to bother you more. Ed, please, lead them to their rooms. You can change your clothes for dinner. Those armors must be uncomfortable. I don't wonder Saber decided to stroll without it."
The Starsheriffs exchanged scared glares. Does she know?
"Our clothes are in Ramrod, we have to leave our armors there."
"Good, Ed, please, show them the way. You, Fireball, please stay here for a minute, I want to ask you something. You are the new captain of team, right?"
"Yes, but from where do you know?"
"Saber told us much about all of you. He said, that if something happens, you are the best to replace him. Now come here."
Samantha came near the armchair. Mary waited till Edward leaves with the others and continued silently. "Saber was wearing his armor that day, am I right?"
"Yes."
"So, how, do you explain, that a snake bit him?"
"We don't know. We suppose, that somebody attacked him and he knew to person. It's still a mystery, why was Saber covering him."
"Hm....I'm really going to stop this bothering now. Only the last question. You don't remember something strange on the hands of that woman?"
"Her hands? No..."
"Her left hand!"
"Wait a second!" once again Samantha saw the stranger putting her hand, her LEFT HAND, on his neck and saying, she's sorry.... "The last third of the little finger on her left hand was missing. Oh, my God!" she covered her mouth with hand in shock.
Mary just nodded. "Thank you. You can go and refresh yourself. Please, don't tell about this to Ed, he i-." Steps of returning master of the house interrupted her in the middle of sentence. "We will continue later."
Edward offered to Samantha help to get to Ramrod, but she refused, saying, she remembers the way. Actually, she was needing time to think about those few sentences, that revealed so much to her.
(This is weird! She's obviously familiar with the stranger. But from where? And what else does she know and we don't? Should I tell it to the rest? Have also they noticed her change? From sad to excited and worried or what. I'm getting sick from all these mysteries. My dear, can you see what mess have you left? I need you! Why is it so complicated?(
In Ramrod she changed her armor for civil clothes. The rest was already awaiting her. All of them prepared the most important for a few days in castle, so it will not be necessary to return to Ramrod in next days.
April as first said her opinion. "I'm starting to believe, we will never find the end of this story! What was going on there? And what wanted Mary from you? "
Looking on their faces, Samantha decided to tell. "It is even more complicated than previously. Not only that she knows very well Saber was wearing no armor, but she had a very interesting question about the strange girl."
"She was pretty curious on her. I though we told her all we knew, Fireball. What else was there to ask about?"
"An important detail that all of us forgot, Colt."
"Come on, tell us."
"She asked me about her left hand."
"And what?"
"Remember her left hand, cowboy!"
"I don't remember anything in- OH!" Colt looked horrified on April and than back on Samantha. "How can she...?"
"Don't ask me cowboy, not now. Mr. Rider coming back interrupted us. "
"What is this about, I don't understand!"
"John, all of us forgot, that the strange girl was missing a part of little finger."
"On her left hand?"
"Yes."
"How can Mrs. Rider know?"
"John, this is a mystery also for us. And have you noticed, how Mary changed after recognizing the stranger?"
"Of course! The sadness was bye-bye. It changed into relief or what, mixed- up with worries." Unfortunately, Colt was sometimes first speaking and then thinking. Now, he realized, what has he said. "Hey, you don't think, she was planning a murder of her own son, are you?"
"If this would be the first strange thing, that happened during last month, I would say, it's ridiculous. Now...nothing is going to surprise me anymore."
The dinner was rather quiet. Everybody was too much concerned about the last facts, to be able to discuss. Only Edward started something about evening being Sabers favorite part of the day, but the gloomy mood of the others silenced also him very soon. The conversation definitely stopped before dessert. Mary excused herself because of not felling well and left with the help of her husband. The Ramrod team understood, they will not find out more this evening.
Edward has shown them their rooms before dinner, so now, they could get there without help. Necessary to mention, the rooms were not so far from the dinner room. Even in this situation, Edward was aware of the fact, that not everybody is able to orientate in such labyrinth of rooms and corridors.
It was not so late here in the Highlands, but time spent in the universe messed they biorhythms, so not only girls, also boys were feeling a little tired. There was nothing to object against a long sleep in a real bed after washing in a real bathroom.
Samantha was lying in bed, probably more tired than the rest. Her last good whole-night sleep took part pretty long ago. But also despite it, she was again not able to fall asleep. Her thoughts were flying back to the dinner. She tried to observe Mary during it secretly. She was mother of her lover at all. But what was hidden under her eyes? What did she knew and the others not? Is she going to share her secrets?
Somehow, Sam could not believe, that she could kill her own son, or having something with it. No, it was more possible, she just knew the solution of this terrible mystery. The presence of the strange girl was the key for her. It was revealing of her identity, that gave Mary the sudden power, Sam was sure about that.
Maybe because of the place, the object of her mind started slowly to change from Mary to someone from the younger generation. Again was Samantha, now nearly sleeping, feeling the body of her lover by her side. She was again hearing him breathing and whispering that calming sentence: "Shhh, sleep baby, it was only a bad dream....I'm with you..." when waking up frightened from a nightmare.
"STOP!!! Hey you!!! DAMN!!!" the voice of Edward Rider woke her suddenly up.
Mary Rider excused herself and have left to bedroom before was the dinner finished. Edward helped her gently with coming to bed. After she changed her clothes for night outfit, he put them on a near chair. The service girl will put them in wardrobe in the morning.
Mary was lying in bed and with closed eyes pretended she's sleeping, until her husband joined her in bed and started to breath regularly. After she was sure, that Edward is sleeping, she gave up the effort. The sleep refused to come to her. She was also thinking, like her potential daughter- in-law on the upper floor. Really, the identity of the strange woman was not a secret to her. Her presence revealed a lot to her. Now, the former suspicion changed into certain.
Too excited and worried at the same time by the possibilities for future, she left the bed. The paralysis prevented her from going a longer distance, still, a few steps to the balcony were not a problem, she was able to make them without any noise, supporting herself by wall. Luckily, there was a blanket, so she was not left to stand there in the night cold.
She looked around. The beautiful nature, the sound of a sleeping forest... She was loving the place, finding here a back-up in her constant worry. Her mind traveled back in time. It is now more, then 15 years when she put her foot for the first time here, as a wife of Edward Rider. No, she never loved him, her heart was buried with someone else. Anyway, Edward was patient and not curious. He never asked her about those years before, when she vanished on the day of her seventeenth birthday and then returned with a son. No one knew, what have happened, what she was doing. Her family after countless attempts to find out gave up, not sure, what to make with her and the boy, 9 years old. The offer from Edward came unexpected, but was mostly welcome. He was not busy with her past and he accepted Saber very soon as his own.
Although Mary was doing everything, what was a noble wife supposed to do to pleasure her husband, she was not loving him and he knew it very well. There was still something, what was building a wall between them. And it was not only the fact, that Saber is not his son. Mary was thinking and not only one time to tell him the whole truth. When she was observing him, how is he playing with Saber, how is he learning him fencing...The first time, she was ready to tell him was after she has received a letter and later a secret visit from someone, who was also supposed to rest with her first husband. Only the necessary to keep it secret, because of the everywhere present spies from Calishia prevented it. Now, she was again ready and again, because of the same person she was dealing the same dilemma. First, she thought, that her older child died accidentally in the desert, later she started to doubt and the conversation with Sabers friends only assured her that her suspicion was probably right. No, end of mysteries, she owes him the explanation. And also to the Starsheriffs, especially Samantha. Because she was aware of her true identity. If she just could be sure....
Suddenly, a star was coming down from the sky. Mary realized, this is a small space ship, landing near the castle. Maybe the person sitting in the cockpit will help her, or at least change this uncertainity.
Meantime, in Eagles office
"Commander, we have found something."
"Oh, finally."
"I'm afraid, you will not be so happy after hearing it."
A slim silhouette was coming near the castle of the Riders. After he noticed the person on balcony, he stiffed for a second, after recognizing her, he smiled and with only little effort get to her on the first floor.
"You were expecting me!"
"No, my boy, it's an accident. But not so loud, the Starsheriffs are here."
"WHAT?"
"We invited them to tell us details. VERY interesting details, my boy."
"Oh, so you know already." sighed Jesse with a guilty expression.
"Yes! But was it really necessary to let me worry for such long time? None of you was ever thinking, how is a mother feeling!"
"I'm sorry!"
"I don't think so."
"Really, but it was not possible to let you know. You were guarded by soldiers of the Cavalry."
"That's impossible. We have not seen a uniform here."
"Secretly of course, I don't know why and neither know those two."
"Hm, this is bringing us to the real reason of your arrival."
"I know, it was brutal, but the only way!"
"Brutal? There is not an enough strong word in this language for what have you done."
"We have done it also before!"
"Maybe, but not in the public. How will you explain it later? Or are you going to keep it secret for ever? I think there is at least one young woman in this house, who deserves to know, how it really was."
"I don't think it is a good idea to tell April."
"I'm not meaning April."
"Hm.....Samantha will get the news as first, after the danger is over."
"That means when? For how long more do you want to torture her?"
"We are not making it from fun. None of us is glad to see her suffering so much."
"I was planning to reveal it to her next day."
"No, please, no, that would ruin all...."
"All.... Why must you walk the same path like your fathers before? You will end the same way. I have already lost my beloved. Then...I'm not interested into going one more time through those feeling of loosing my own or in-law child. Remember that!"
"We will be careful, I promise."
"And kiss both of them instead of me."
None of them have noticed a third person nearing to the balcony. From inside.
"Don't dare to move!"
"Edward!" realized Mary shocked.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" asked Edward silently, with a gun in his hand.
"My God!" Mary, standing with no problems through the whole conversation suddenly fell on her husband. Jesse used the disturbing and left as quick as possible.
"STOP!!! Hey you!!! DAMN!!!" with hands full of own wife, Edward was not able to follow the stranger physically, so at least his loud voice was accompanying him.
The noise woke of course the Starsheriffs, whose rooms were on the next floor, so quite near. Wearing only pajamas, they get to the bedroom of the Riders as fast as possible.
"What have happened?"
"Is someone injured?"
"No, we are both all right. Someone tried to get into the castle. I stopped him and he ran away." Explained Edward, pointing to his weapon.
"To Ramrod, quickly. Maybe the cameras will show us more."
To get to the huge ship took some time, so on the monitor, they could just see a small space ship leaving the atmosphere of the Earth. Still, for Colt was it enough.
"Look, who is it! I would recognize that ship everywhere!"
"Cowboy, do you mean, it is J-?"
"Yes, I would bet the property of the whole Cavalry, that that is Jesse Blue!"
"So he really survived the last battle. But what was he doing here?"
"We have to call Commander Eagle! Vacation or not, this is important."
Meantime Edward with Mary were sitting in the bedroom. Better said, Mary was sitting, Edward was not able to stand still for a second.
"Why have you done it?"
"I had to."
"No, what was that about? It was dangerous. It was the man who has worked for the Outriders. Jesse Blue or what was his name. I remember him. He could harm you!"
"No, he would not."
"Mary, stop that. I was never interested into your secrets, but this is too dangerous. He was trying to conquer our whole dimension. What wanted he here?"
Slowly, Mary Rider, came to a decision. She didn't love him, but he helped her a lot and accepted her and Saber. She owes him the truth. If he was able to accept Saber, he is probably able to accept also her past.
"Edward, please, sit down and listen to me. I can not hide it any more in front of you. I owe you for all at least the truth. I left home on the day of my seventeenth birthday, because I had enough of the life of aristocracy. I traveled a lot and get even to Calishia. I met there...."she gulped and gave Edward a photo. "This is Sabers father. After realizing that I'm pregnant, we got married. But Saber was not our only child....."
Ramrod – Control Room
"Commander Eagle!"
"What have happened?"
"We are at the Riders now, Sir. Few minutes ago, Jesse Blue was trying to get here."
"WHAT?"
"Jesse Blue tried to get into the bedroom of the Riders. He was menacing Mrs. Rider, but Mr. Rider stopped him. Unfortunately, he escaped."
"This is really unpleasant, Fireball and it complicates the situation. I'm changing my opinion, you will come to Yuma right now, despite the outrage, you have started in Cavalry."
"But Sir, should we not stay here and guard the Riders?"
"No, Colt. First, it will be better to clean the air and you were not able to protect them, second. If I understand correct. No, don't take it bad, it was not your fault." added Eagle quickly after seeing Colts face. "There is something more I want to speak about with you. If you leave now, you should be able to get here within next 72 hours." Eagle saluted and the big monitor darkened.
"So, now what! Fireball, do you think, we can leave?"
"We have to, Colt. But I don't like the idea of leaving the Riders here unprotected."
"And don't forget, Sabers Mum is hiding something. How are we supposed to find out now?"
"John, Eagle doesn't know about all those strange things, at least not from us. Have Colt with April not told you?"
"Ahh, Turbofreak, we forgot somehow to mention that."
"Yes Fire, we thought hmm, he's aware of it."
"Obviously not." noted Samantha. "So, now you are." She was not so angry at all, because for the first time after revealing her true identity, Colt distracted by Eagles comment about their abilities forgot the aloofness and called her with old nickname. No, the others were not angry or disgusted from her, still, especially Colt was not so outspoken to her any more. Now, new circumstances made him forget.
"I'm suggesting, we will go back to the Riders and tell them, we are leaving." ended Sam the discussion.
The Riders were already expecting them in the big dinner room. Mary, sitting in the arm-chair, could not hide, that a big burden from her heart vanished. Edward was too surprised by the secret she finally decided to share with him, to be mad on her. When hearing the Starsheriffs coming back, he looked on door. Fireball as first entered and his knowing look puzzled her pretty much.
"You are leaving, right?"
"Yes. Commander Eagle, ordered to come back to Yuma. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, it is not your fault."
"Still, Mr. Rider, what will you do, when Jesse Blue comes back?"
"I don't think so. And if yes, people from Cavalry will help us, I'm sure."
"?"
"They were guarding us during last month, so they will probably continue doing it now." Edward sighed. "Maybe, the will even show themselves this time."
"Sorry for such puzzlement, Eagle did not tell us."
"It's OK. When exactly are you leaving?"
"Right now."
The Riders wished all of them a good journey. Mary asked Fireball to come near. She took her hands, looked in her eyes and said. "It's not an easy path you decided to walk. Maybe it was not only your choice, but be strong and one day, you will be rewarded. Be strong, my child." after saying that, Samantha, not able to stand any more, fell on knees. Mary kissed her on both cheeks. "You are always welcome here."
Two big tears ran down Samanthas cheeks. This woman was obviously knowing about her and despite it, she accepted her as a daughter. The feeling of having a real home and family overwhelmed her and mixed up with memories on those terrible years of lonely existence, of fear from being caught......The emptiness she was feeling after Sabers death get suddenly filled by Mary. It was too much to handle. Something in her broke. The tears were followed by a next one and next one. Before really realizing it, was Samantha crying on Marys lap.
Edward seeing the scene in front of him led the rest of the Starsheriffs team away. Mary felt a big pity for the poor girl. She could understand very well, through what she had to go. So she just put a hand on her head, leaving free way to Samanthas feelings. She only wished, she could spare her from the torture. One sentence, one sentence could do it....Unfortunately, Mary knew very well, it is not possible.
For the first time in her life, tears brought Samantha relief. Samantha cried out the loneliness, the pain she was feeling for the whole time. She was crying for the years spent home with strict grandparents. She was crying for the years spent in marriage with a hated man. She was crying for what she was forced to do to survive. She was crying for time spent pretending to be a boy. She was crying, for her lover. She was crying, because there was someone, who was giving her comfort. She was crying, because there was someone, who understood her, really understood her. She was crying, because every tear that left her beautiful brown eyes increased the sweet-bitter feeling in her chest. For the first time in her life, she was knowing, who she really is and where she belongs. For the first time in her life, she found balance. She was ready to fight again.
After the last tear left her eyes and the last sob escaped from her lips, she get on feet.
"I'm sorry..."
"No, my child, you needed it. Now go. And visit us whenever you want. Be strong....my girl."
"Good bye....Mum."
With those words Samantha left the room. The others were already waiting on her in Ramrod.
"Our destination, Yuma! Lets go!"
And so, the big spaceship left the Highlands.
Commander Eagle was already awaiting them on the airport. Instead of greeting, he said just:
"Spare your questions for later and come with me, we have found something, what will interest you."
They divided into to army jeeps with drivers, who brought them far behind Yuma city. Girls with Eagle shared the first one, Colt and John the second. Presence of Eagle prohibited any questions from either April or Sam, but they would be unsuccessful even if they were there alone, because the boys were also trying to find out at least the destiny and the result was the same.
In the middle of a plain, where was nothing, only few bushes, a group of men was waiting for them. Behind them were three cars. One was an usual army jeep, like those two, that brought the Starsheriffs with Eagle here. The next one was a bigger van and the third car had a small crane. This cars only increased the curiosity of the Starsheriffs. Eagle was obviously familiar with at least one of them, because he asked him directly.
"Where is it?"
"Here, have a look, Commander."
All of them looked on the place, to which was the men pointing to. There was a wooden cross, marking something, what was looking like a grave. On the cross was a short notice.
- Here is resting Dr. Andersen, let it be a warning for you!!! -
"You have not started yet?"
"No, we were waiting for you."
"So, begin."
Three men started to dig. None from the shocked Starsheriffs said a word.
It took some time, before one of the men announced, he had found something. Eagle used the time to introduce the man to the team.
"This is detective Peters, he was entrusted to find Dr Andersen and these are the Starsheriffs – Colt, John, April and the captain, Fireball."
"Nice to meet you."
"Hello."
After shaking hand to every member of the Ramrod team, detective concentrated on the digging work again.
"There is something. Wood."
"Continue."
The hole was grooving every minute. Finally, the whole contain was revealed. A wooden coffin. The digging men made the whole bigger, so it was possible to get to the coffin also from side and not only from up. The rest of the group was just observing together with the Starsheriffs. Now, they prepared the small, simple crane, to get the coffin out. Once it was out, no one dared to come near to it.
After few minutes of just standing near, Eagle asked one of the men.
"Detective, do you think, we can open it?"
"Well, actually, this should do a coroner."
"But it would take to much time."
"Hm...we were supposed to call him, before we started."
"Aha.....so, open it, I'm ready to take full responsibility for it."
"Are you sure, Commander?"
"Just open it!"
The detective followed the order and in a while, the coffin was open. The shock of the Starsheriffs, but also of the rest of the company, turned into pure horror. Inside was a man. Or at least, he was looking like a man. His hands were holding his neck, his feet were trying to get their owner away and his face was not a face of a human anymore. Eyes opened and big, mouth stiffen in the last outcry. The grotesque masque shoving real fear from something inevitable. He was probably put there alive and he died after running from oxygen.
What a terrible death!!! Who could be so cruel? No one should die by such death. Everybody was missing words, it was not possible to say anything.
Samantha with all the others was looking on Dr. Andersen. She was also trying to imagine the last seconds of his life. What have he done, to deserve such a fate? It had surely something with Saber, but what?
Suddenly, she was not able to stand it anymore. She turned back, run a few steps, fell on all four and emptied her stomach. New and new attacks of sickness came over her, so she was not able to notice, what is going on around her. She was feeling only fear, pain and filth in her body and was trying to get clean as fast as possible. She was not feeling the hands, that were holding her head and back. Everything vanished in a gray cloud.
Once her stomach was definitely empty, she was starting to recognize the world. Two strong hands were supporting here and led her to the car. After sitting down, she felt a bottle with water coming to her lips. Drops of the liquid running down here throat, were like a balsam. Now she fully recovered here senses and looked into Johns worried and shocked eyes.
"Oh my God."
"Are you all right, now?"
"Ah, well, yes, I suppose. That was terrible!"
The picture of Dr. Andersen's face brought a new bout of nausea. Luckily, there was only a little water in Samantha's stomach, that ended fast between her feet.
John was observing the poor girl in front of him, as was she fighting with sickness. He knew, there is probably no way, he could help her. He understood, that she is matching Andersen somehow together with her dead lover.
Still, he was slowly starting to look on her with different eyes. First, revealing of her true identity puzzled him. He was not used on such situations. Then, her past disgusted him. Luckily, he never said opinion before thinking about it properly and after that day, he was thankful for it like never before. Imagination of how was she suffering blow the disgust away. Destroying of the Outrider base together with the episode at the Riders showed him, that the leader of the Starsheriffs is a responsible person and started to create respect and maybe friendship between them. Now, he saw neither a leader, nor a friend, he saw a very lonely and very beautiful woman...
April was also not able to stand such a picture, but she choose a less disgusting way and fainted into Colts arms after the first look on Dr. Andersen. Colts clenched teeth while carrying April to the second jeep made Eagle sure, that the team has just reached maximum of what can they bear, so he sent them back to Ramrod.
"Kids, ask one of the drivers to bring you back to Ramrod, I will follow you after finishing this."
His voice interrupted John exactly when he was trying to take Samantha's hands in his own.
Secret base somewhere in universe
The radar was making noise, warning Marco, that someone is trying to get near the base. One look on monitor calmed him. He recognized the small spaceship.
"Simona, Jesse's back!"
Simona ran into the room, while her brother was opening the gate of hangar, not even waiting, till someone announce himself from board of the ship.
"Look!"
"Back so soon? Something happened."
"Lets wait for him in the hangar."
With those words left the red haired siblings the control room. Jesse came out from his space ship.
"Hi! Happened something interesting while I was away?" he asked and took his girlfriend in arms.
"Nothing. Your experiences from the journey are more interesting, I suppose."
"Right. We thought, you will stay in the Highlands for a longer time."
"Ahh, dear, I'm starting to believe, you're really having some extraordinary abilities."
"What?"
"The Starsheriffs were really in the Highlands. Invited to tell their version of the whole story."
"O-O. And..."
"And Mum guessed everything of course."
"She have not told them, have she?"
"No, she wanted, but I asked her to put it off for a while. But she was quite furious on all of us."
"Not so astonishing...." sighed Marco with a guilty expression.
"It was brutal but necessary. And we could not risk this trip sooner, with all the guards around."
"Guards or not, we should let her know somehow. Is it all?"
"She's asking all of us being careful anddd" Jesse made a small pause to sound the next word more dramatically. "She wants me to kiss you instead of her. Both of you." he finished with a sparkling look on his best friend.
"Very funny. You can kiss Simona twice, I'm sure, that will be sufficient.
Eagle's office on Yuma
Eagle was sitting in his office and looking on Ramrod team in front of him. He was not sure how to start. All his kids were still pale, especially Fireball. There was definitely something wrong with him, but what?
Why he's looking like going to collapse any minute? And the others are looking on him so strange. Colt and April condolence, John with...I can not even describe it. The death body of Andersen could not cause all of this. They have already seen such brutality during last year...Or, is he already thinking about ...
"This meeting has never happened, agreement? But we can not continue like this, it is necessary to clean the table properly. Do you understand?"
He looked everyone eye to eye, till all of them have nodded.
"So, we can start. First, let me speak, then I'm ready to hear your opinion. The Outriders were the biggest, but not only problem. I suppose, you know already the most important about the Calishians and their demands from John, so I'm not going to repeat it.
As a product of hasten diplomacy and underestimating them, especially their Secret Service, we got under a big pressure. I'm not going to details. The result – it was necessary to do everything secretly. During last month, we were trying to find out what exactly have happened to Saber.
Now, it is proofed, that Jesse Blue has really been in that small desert village, we're having at least two authentic witnesses. And we're having a message from local patrol, that they saw a small spaceship leaving on evening of the burial. The question is, was it really an accident and Jesse was on wrong places in wrong time just like Saber, or was it an accident and Jesse have used the opportunity to eliminate his biggest enemy. In both cases, the Satanists just used the offered opportunity, or was it all planned from the beginning and the devastation is a cover maneuver.
Despite what do you think, death of Saber Rider is determining all activities of Cavalry Command. We have not lost only a good captain, he was much, much more. I'm speaking about Cavalry Command generally, my personal feelings are not important now. You know, what was Saber for me." he sighed and continued. "He was a legend, a true symbol freedom and independence for common people."
Samantha imagined for a second Sabers "enthusiasm" for being such a legend. He was showing it only in privacy and only in front of her, even Colt with April had no idea about it. He was a responsible young man at all and everywhere he stepped, he could see a general benefit for people. Everyone was happy to see the famous captain and his presence gave people a feeling of safety, so he just clenched teeth. He was also aware of the fact, that the team would be only half so successful, if he showed his true feelings. But in his mind, he was planning a wonderful future in anonymity with his girlfriend without this burden....
"We were trying to find Jesse." continued Eagle "Unsuccessfully, of course. The house of Riders was guarded, because the possibility of Blue coming there was not unreal. Saber was the captain of a team that humiliated him so many times. We all know Jesse good enough...he likes to torture the people that have harmed him somehow, really or only in his mind and Edward with Mary represented the best possible target, he just could wish. After a month, our attention fell down a little..."
Eagle looked on his audience.
"Anyway, your version of Saber's death was not really acceptable for CC, but it was pointing to the fact, that it was not an accident, so we sent there the best available man – Dr. Andersen, who beside being a good pathologist was also familiar with the practices of Satanists – to make an exhumation and tell us more. I don't know how have you found out about him, because it was top secret and I don't want to know!"
With the last part of sentence he stopped the coming reaction on the beginning.
"He has really found there something, because he called me and said, that the devastation was not done by Satanists and he needs to speak with me between four eyes immediately. He came back here, but I was not able to meet him on the evening of his arrival, so we postponed it. In the same evening also you tried to meet him and he was kidnapped.
I knew, that sooner or later also you will notice the suspicious details in your story and start to investigate on your own. Your presence and possible discoveries would only complicate our situation, so I have used John as a spy and a distraction from the actual problem. Maybe it was not the best choice, but kidnapping of Dr. Andersen enhanced it all, so there was not time to change."
After a small stop, he continued.
"It was clear, that with you around is any secret investigation out of question. The announcement of the Outrider base came in right time, we have sent you as far as possible. And then to the Riders...meanwhile, detective Peters, who you have met today, was searching for any clue after Andersen. Meantime, I spoke with the workers, that has been with Andersen in the desert. And do you know what have they told me? The grave was empty, there was only buried ash and a burnt piece of wood. Doctor took it of course with him, but it vanished with him...
And now, tell me all, you can add to this incredible story!"
With that sentence he finished his monologue. His little audience was trying to digest the new information, that have they just received.
Fireball/Samantha as first found enough courage.
"What do you mean with empty grave, Sir?"
"As I said, there was nothing, just ash and burnt wood. Oh, the workers could not say me no more facts, but they're suspecting, that the wood is a piece of coffin."
"And the ash, was it also from coffin, or from his....body?" Samantha had to take all her energy to ask this last question. Now, also the others fully understood her worries, that were following her the last hour. Was Saber really death, or was his state only mistaken for it, due to their inexperience with such things? Is the ash hiding a mistake or a brutal murder? None from them was able even to think this consideration to the end.
"They don't know." answered Eagle quietly. He, just like Samantha, came to the same conclusion sooner than the rest and was hoping, they will not find it. "All, what have happened there, took part during the first night. The place was guarded from the next day. And now, no one would be able to tell us how was the coffin and it's contain manipulated."
The four Starsheriffs were silently sitting on their places. They had the grief state after them, there was only a big longing for revenge. Someone is going to pay badly for this! It was not necessary to speak with each other, they decided in the same second to reveal some facts to Eagle.
Again, Samantha started.
"Sir, now I know, that we have made you a lot of extra problems, but please, understand, we just could not sit and wait!"
"I understand you. In the light of last events, it is clear, that we should at least inform you about our activities. Anyway, what is done, is done. What exactly happened at the Riders?"
"Actually, we don't know. We have not seen Jesse, only his spaceship leaving atmosphere. But Mrs. Rider was a little strange for the whole time. I'm sure, she could explain us a lot, she's knowing much more, than she told us. Maybe if we return back..."
"This is really unpleasant! I wanted to hear also Edwards version of the story, so I called him yesterday. He was saying the same like you and on the end, he added, that the events of the last month had a bad affection on Mary's health, so they are traveling away. Of course, he has not said where and politely refused our protection."
Samantha was loosing ground under feet. Should I tell him, that Mary was not sad but concerned? That would be unfair against her. But this is really urgent. And that she was familiar with the girl in the desert? Hmm, Eagle has proved today, that he's having efficient people, maybe, they can help us to find her...
"There, in the desert, was a young woman – the one, who told us, that it is too late...She is probably the key to all of this. If we find her...Remember, if not her, we would wait with the burial!"
"Fireball, I remember your report and the CC came already to the same conclusion, but do you think it is easy to find a tall, slim young woman, with unknown face and no name?"
"We forgot to mention it last time. She was also having a foreign accent and she was missing a part of little finger on left hand." added Colt.
"This is important, why have you not told me sooner! I will inform Peters immediately. He was looking after her, but the inhabitants of the village could not tell him more than you. She was avoiding any contacts. Is there anything more?"
Samantha took a deep breath and said.
"Mrs. Rider is familiar with her."
Eagle looked with a serious expression on the new captain of Ramrod team.
"Are you sure with that?"
Now, also April joined the conversation.
"Yes, Daddy, it was obvious. And, before it all happened, Saber was not behaving like usually. He has been strange for a longer time. Or maybe just different. And no one knows, where he spent his last vacation. Only before going to desert he calmed a little. Now, I suppose, he knew, what will come."
The last sentence again mixed everything. Sabers strange behavior was pointing to the theory, that it all happened on purpose and it was not a murder. Acting of Mrs. Rider was also speaking for it. But what happened there? It was a secret and a dangerous secret. Only an hour ago have they seen, how.
From three people able to explain it – Jesse Blue, the stranger and Mrs. Rider – two were missing and the third one also escaped....All possibilities how to find out vanished in the air, they were in a blind alley.
This time it was Colt who broke the silence.
"Commander, on the first meeting with Fireball after John joining us, I've heard that you mentioned something about changes in CC."
"John has already informed you, I suppose."
"Sir, under su-"
"Stop it, John! I knew of course, they will force you to tell one day. I was just hoping, you will be able to resist for a longer time. Never mind, you're now probably very well informed about the politic situation. The Calishians are playing a double game and we can not risk an opened conflict with them, when the Outriders are making problems. We could not in the past and we can not now. So we were forced at least to pretend, we're thinking about accepting their demands."
The Starsheriffs have of course not interrupted him with a confession, that they are already familiar with a part of the Calishian demands.
"There were more. Most important were: They wanted to have the authority to judge every non-military person, who in their opinion developing any activity against the government. As next, Saber was not acceptable for them in the army of CC. They wanted him to leave. I don't know why....it is not difficult to imagine, what would follow after Saber becoming a civilian. We are still, also after his death under a big pressure. I don't know, what have he done to them, but they are interested into his person far far more, than it would be expected.
Unfortunately, Saber was not the only person, who they wanted to leave CC. I, Whitehawk and several others are also on their list. They can not show it openly, but there is no doubt and they are ready to use every opportunity to get us out of here. And death of Saber was such a opportunity. They are having something with it, I'm sure...if we solve this mystery, we have maybe a weapon against them and can create a new alliance."
All of those commanders were probably on Sabers side. thought April.
"Your pointing to the rebels probably. To be honest, Sir, the real reason why offering myself as a volunteer for this job was to find out more about all of this. Our moral was suffering badly, still is and it looked like nothing is going to happen. Now, I fully understand. But do you think, the rebels will help us?"
"I don't know. It is a chance, nothing more. Try to imagine how serious our situation is. On one side is again threatening an opened conflict with the Outriders, on the other a coming war with the Calishians. We are too weak even together with Jarr Kingdom. The rebels are our only hope. From what have I heard, they are powerful enough to distract the Calishians from us for some time."
"Dad, are we having any contact on them?"
"No."
"Sir, then how ca-"
"The near future will show us."
Eagle looked on them seriously for the last time. He sighed and started.
"Now, we can't do anything. You will return to Ramrod and wait for the order where and when to leave. John, you also. You're too deep in this, to leave. I see, that you got a real team member, so I'm not going to initiate a next change. Colt, Robin was calling me, she wanted to hear an explanation, so you can visit her, but be as quick as possible. And try to avoid everyone. For the rest, it is prohibited to leave Ramrod. Remember, this meeting never took part. And, try to slow your activities in next weeks. I will inform you as soon, as I have something new."
With that words he gave hand to all boys and hugged April.
FEW TECHNICAL COMMENTS – WORDS BETWEEN ( ( OR MEANS WHAT IS SOMEBODY THINKING, BUT NOT TELLING, OR WHEN REFERING TO FIREBALL AS TO HIM. – BECAUSE OF IS GOING A LITTLE CRAZY TO POSSIBILITIES.
MY ENGLISH IS SAME BAD AS TILL NOW, SO PLEASE BE TOLERANT, IT IS DIFFICULT TO WRITE IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE, WITH DICTIONARY PERMANENT ON MY KNEES ( I TRIED TO PUT AWAY AS MANY MISTAKES AS POSSIBLE, BUT STILL....
SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SENT ME PHOTOS OF SABER'S PARENTS, IT'S A NICE COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE I HAVE SEEN AN EPIZODE WITH THEM, SO I REMEMBER ONLY DIMLY HOW WERE THEY LOOKING LIKE.
LAST COMMENT: I DO NOT OWN NOTHING, I HAVE ONLY LENT THE CHARACTERS AND PLAYED WITH THEM A LITTLE
WINTERMAGE
Chapter 5 – In the Highlands
Highlands
In the middle of afternoon, landing of a big spaceship was disturbing the quiet castle in Highlands. Four young people walked out and three of them observed astonished the old complex of buildings made from stone. Except April none of them have ever seen the place, that Saber was calling home. Fine, all of them knew that Saber came from a noble family, but till now it was something abstract, he was never shoving it either in public, or in privacy.
April ignored their astonishment and led them straight to one of the buildings. A tall man in middle age went through the courtyard towards them. He had short dark brown hair and beard of the same color. Despite five decades after him, his movements were fast and flexible, like thirty years ago. Black suit fitted him perfectly. The words were not necessary, this was obviously Mister Rider, realized John. The rest for the first time noticed, that the height was the only similarity to Saber.
"Good day, let me welcome you in the house of the Riders. April!" he bowed a little in front of her and kissed her hand. "Colt, Fireball!"
"Mr. Rider, please accept our condolence."
"Thank you." he looked on the rest of the team with sad eyes. "Pity, we are meeting under such circumstances."
"Let me introduce you our new member. This is John Walters."
"Edward Rider."
Edward gave all of them hand. After doing that, he invited the whole company inside. "Please, come in, my wife is already awaiting you. Health prevented her to welcome you here. Follow me please."
John looked surprised when hearing about the problems of Mrs. Rider. He spent too short time with the Ramrod crew to know about the disease, that Mary Rider was suffering from for long years. Mary Rider was waiting for the company in a big cozy room, sitting in an armchair near fire. She was wearing long black dress and her feet were wrapped in a blanket.
"Mary, our guests. April you remember, this is Fireball and Colt and this young gentleman is John."
"Welcome children. Please, sit down. I have already ordered a tee for you."
This was the first time Samantha with Colt met Mary. Looking in her face, both realized, how similar was Saber to his mother. The same smile, the same way of looking on people. Only his eyes were different, he had them probably from his real father.
"Please, accept our condolence, Mrs. Rider."
She sighed. "Thank you. Please, call me Mary and now sit down. I'm glad, you have come."
They together with Edward sat down round a near table, adjusting the chairs to see Mary. A young woman brought the tee and some biscuits. She put them in the middle of the table, except one cup, that ended in the hands of Sabers mother.
Edward offered them to the company. "Please take, you are probably hungry and the dinner will not be ready sooner than in one hour."
"And now children, please, tell us. Was it "Mary gulped "painful?"
Samantha sighed, she knew very well, that due to her relationship to Saber, she should tell to parents of her lover the details. "No. He said, he needs to clear his head, so he left the village alone. He looked very worried in those days. There, in the desert, the snake bit him. It was quick and painless, over after few minutes." she rather decided not to tell Sabers parents that they found him accidentally and till now don't know for how long was he...
"He was not suffering. His last words were, we should not be worried. He was the hero to the end." added Colt, understanding, Sam don't wants to make it worse for the couple. It was bad enough.
"A young woman from the village said that the poison is working very quick and the funeral should be as soon as possible, because it can have, hm, disgusting consequences."
"I understand. Who was she?"
April continued telling the story, she found her at all. "Actually, we don't know. She was not local. When I was asking for a doctor, she offered herself with words that there is no doctor, but she could help. One of the inhabitants told me later, she came few days ago, studying the local fauna."
"How was she looking like?"
"Ahm, we don't know, she was wearing a big hat and vanished very soon. I'm sorry." explained April little ashamed. The sudden interest for the unknown girl surprised her a little.
"She was tall and there was something strange familiar on her. I'm still having feeling, I have already seen her somewhere and at the same time I'm knowing we have never met before. Maybe we will see us again." said Samantha.
"Oh, Mary, what are these for questions. Please, continue with the story." Edward saw the sudden interest on his wife's face. To his shock, the sadness vanished and the others have noticed it also. Probably.
"There is not much to tell more, Mr. Rider. The funeral was on next day and after it we, hm, get drunk."
"That's understandable. What else? We heard, that something happened on the cemetery."
The Starsheriffs were not planning to tell the Riders about the devastation of grave of their only son, but after that question, they should. When judging the face expression of Mary Rider, Samantha understood that Edward told her nothing. "The Satanists made there one of their ceremonies. We are sorry for that."
"No, you don't have to, it was not your fault at all. But I can not believe, that even the Satanists could do something like that. I'm not going to bother you more. Ed, please, lead them to their rooms. You can change your clothes for dinner. Those armors must be uncomfortable. I don't wonder Saber decided to stroll without it."
The Starsheriffs exchanged scared glares. Does she know?
"Our clothes are in Ramrod, we have to leave our armors there."
"Good, Ed, please, show them the way. You, Fireball, please stay here for a minute, I want to ask you something. You are the new captain of team, right?"
"Yes, but from where do you know?"
"Saber told us much about all of you. He said, that if something happens, you are the best to replace him. Now come here."
Samantha came near the armchair. Mary waited till Edward leaves with the others and continued silently. "Saber was wearing his armor that day, am I right?"
"Yes."
"So, how, do you explain, that a snake bit him?"
"We don't know. We suppose, that somebody attacked him and he knew to person. It's still a mystery, why was Saber covering him."
"Hm....I'm really going to stop this bothering now. Only the last question. You don't remember something strange on the hands of that woman?"
"Her hands? No..."
"Her left hand!"
"Wait a second!" once again Samantha saw the stranger putting her hand, her LEFT HAND, on his neck and saying, she's sorry.... "The last third of the little finger on her left hand was missing. Oh, my God!" she covered her mouth with hand in shock.
Mary just nodded. "Thank you. You can go and refresh yourself. Please, don't tell about this to Ed, he i-." Steps of returning master of the house interrupted her in the middle of sentence. "We will continue later."
Edward offered to Samantha help to get to Ramrod, but she refused, saying, she remembers the way. Actually, she was needing time to think about those few sentences, that revealed so much to her.
(This is weird! She's obviously familiar with the stranger. But from where? And what else does she know and we don't? Should I tell it to the rest? Have also they noticed her change? From sad to excited and worried or what. I'm getting sick from all these mysteries. My dear, can you see what mess have you left? I need you! Why is it so complicated?(
In Ramrod she changed her armor for civil clothes. The rest was already awaiting her. All of them prepared the most important for a few days in castle, so it will not be necessary to return to Ramrod in next days.
April as first said her opinion. "I'm starting to believe, we will never find the end of this story! What was going on there? And what wanted Mary from you? "
Looking on their faces, Samantha decided to tell. "It is even more complicated than previously. Not only that she knows very well Saber was wearing no armor, but she had a very interesting question about the strange girl."
"She was pretty curious on her. I though we told her all we knew, Fireball. What else was there to ask about?"
"An important detail that all of us forgot, Colt."
"Come on, tell us."
"She asked me about her left hand."
"And what?"
"Remember her left hand, cowboy!"
"I don't remember anything in- OH!" Colt looked horrified on April and than back on Samantha. "How can she...?"
"Don't ask me cowboy, not now. Mr. Rider coming back interrupted us. "
"What is this about, I don't understand!"
"John, all of us forgot, that the strange girl was missing a part of little finger."
"On her left hand?"
"Yes."
"How can Mrs. Rider know?"
"John, this is a mystery also for us. And have you noticed, how Mary changed after recognizing the stranger?"
"Of course! The sadness was bye-bye. It changed into relief or what, mixed- up with worries." Unfortunately, Colt was sometimes first speaking and then thinking. Now, he realized, what has he said. "Hey, you don't think, she was planning a murder of her own son, are you?"
"If this would be the first strange thing, that happened during last month, I would say, it's ridiculous. Now...nothing is going to surprise me anymore."
The dinner was rather quiet. Everybody was too much concerned about the last facts, to be able to discuss. Only Edward started something about evening being Sabers favorite part of the day, but the gloomy mood of the others silenced also him very soon. The conversation definitely stopped before dessert. Mary excused herself because of not felling well and left with the help of her husband. The Ramrod team understood, they will not find out more this evening.
Edward has shown them their rooms before dinner, so now, they could get there without help. Necessary to mention, the rooms were not so far from the dinner room. Even in this situation, Edward was aware of the fact, that not everybody is able to orientate in such labyrinth of rooms and corridors.
It was not so late here in the Highlands, but time spent in the universe messed they biorhythms, so not only girls, also boys were feeling a little tired. There was nothing to object against a long sleep in a real bed after washing in a real bathroom.
Samantha was lying in bed, probably more tired than the rest. Her last good whole-night sleep took part pretty long ago. But also despite it, she was again not able to fall asleep. Her thoughts were flying back to the dinner. She tried to observe Mary during it secretly. She was mother of her lover at all. But what was hidden under her eyes? What did she knew and the others not? Is she going to share her secrets?
Somehow, Sam could not believe, that she could kill her own son, or having something with it. No, it was more possible, she just knew the solution of this terrible mystery. The presence of the strange girl was the key for her. It was revealing of her identity, that gave Mary the sudden power, Sam was sure about that.
Maybe because of the place, the object of her mind started slowly to change from Mary to someone from the younger generation. Again was Samantha, now nearly sleeping, feeling the body of her lover by her side. She was again hearing him breathing and whispering that calming sentence: "Shhh, sleep baby, it was only a bad dream....I'm with you..." when waking up frightened from a nightmare.
"STOP!!! Hey you!!! DAMN!!!" the voice of Edward Rider woke her suddenly up.
Mary Rider excused herself and have left to bedroom before was the dinner finished. Edward helped her gently with coming to bed. After she changed her clothes for night outfit, he put them on a near chair. The service girl will put them in wardrobe in the morning.
Mary was lying in bed and with closed eyes pretended she's sleeping, until her husband joined her in bed and started to breath regularly. After she was sure, that Edward is sleeping, she gave up the effort. The sleep refused to come to her. She was also thinking, like her potential daughter- in-law on the upper floor. Really, the identity of the strange woman was not a secret to her. Her presence revealed a lot to her. Now, the former suspicion changed into certain.
Too excited and worried at the same time by the possibilities for future, she left the bed. The paralysis prevented her from going a longer distance, still, a few steps to the balcony were not a problem, she was able to make them without any noise, supporting herself by wall. Luckily, there was a blanket, so she was not left to stand there in the night cold.
She looked around. The beautiful nature, the sound of a sleeping forest... She was loving the place, finding here a back-up in her constant worry. Her mind traveled back in time. It is now more, then 15 years when she put her foot for the first time here, as a wife of Edward Rider. No, she never loved him, her heart was buried with someone else. Anyway, Edward was patient and not curious. He never asked her about those years before, when she vanished on the day of her seventeenth birthday and then returned with a son. No one knew, what have happened, what she was doing. Her family after countless attempts to find out gave up, not sure, what to make with her and the boy, 9 years old. The offer from Edward came unexpected, but was mostly welcome. He was not busy with her past and he accepted Saber very soon as his own.
Although Mary was doing everything, what was a noble wife supposed to do to pleasure her husband, she was not loving him and he knew it very well. There was still something, what was building a wall between them. And it was not only the fact, that Saber is not his son. Mary was thinking and not only one time to tell him the whole truth. When she was observing him, how is he playing with Saber, how is he learning him fencing...The first time, she was ready to tell him was after she has received a letter and later a secret visit from someone, who was also supposed to rest with her first husband. Only the necessary to keep it secret, because of the everywhere present spies from Calishia prevented it. Now, she was again ready and again, because of the same person she was dealing the same dilemma. First, she thought, that her older child died accidentally in the desert, later she started to doubt and the conversation with Sabers friends only assured her that her suspicion was probably right. No, end of mysteries, she owes him the explanation. And also to the Starsheriffs, especially Samantha. Because she was aware of her true identity. If she just could be sure....
Suddenly, a star was coming down from the sky. Mary realized, this is a small space ship, landing near the castle. Maybe the person sitting in the cockpit will help her, or at least change this uncertainity.
Meantime, in Eagles office
"Commander, we have found something."
"Oh, finally."
"I'm afraid, you will not be so happy after hearing it."
A slim silhouette was coming near the castle of the Riders. After he noticed the person on balcony, he stiffed for a second, after recognizing her, he smiled and with only little effort get to her on the first floor.
"You were expecting me!"
"No, my boy, it's an accident. But not so loud, the Starsheriffs are here."
"WHAT?"
"We invited them to tell us details. VERY interesting details, my boy."
"Oh, so you know already." sighed Jesse with a guilty expression.
"Yes! But was it really necessary to let me worry for such long time? None of you was ever thinking, how is a mother feeling!"
"I'm sorry!"
"I don't think so."
"Really, but it was not possible to let you know. You were guarded by soldiers of the Cavalry."
"That's impossible. We have not seen a uniform here."
"Secretly of course, I don't know why and neither know those two."
"Hm, this is bringing us to the real reason of your arrival."
"I know, it was brutal, but the only way!"
"Brutal? There is not an enough strong word in this language for what have you done."
"We have done it also before!"
"Maybe, but not in the public. How will you explain it later? Or are you going to keep it secret for ever? I think there is at least one young woman in this house, who deserves to know, how it really was."
"I don't think it is a good idea to tell April."
"I'm not meaning April."
"Hm.....Samantha will get the news as first, after the danger is over."
"That means when? For how long more do you want to torture her?"
"We are not making it from fun. None of us is glad to see her suffering so much."
"I was planning to reveal it to her next day."
"No, please, no, that would ruin all...."
"All.... Why must you walk the same path like your fathers before? You will end the same way. I have already lost my beloved. Then...I'm not interested into going one more time through those feeling of loosing my own or in-law child. Remember that!"
"We will be careful, I promise."
"And kiss both of them instead of me."
None of them have noticed a third person nearing to the balcony. From inside.
"Don't dare to move!"
"Edward!" realized Mary shocked.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" asked Edward silently, with a gun in his hand.
"My God!" Mary, standing with no problems through the whole conversation suddenly fell on her husband. Jesse used the disturbing and left as quick as possible.
"STOP!!! Hey you!!! DAMN!!!" with hands full of own wife, Edward was not able to follow the stranger physically, so at least his loud voice was accompanying him.
The noise woke of course the Starsheriffs, whose rooms were on the next floor, so quite near. Wearing only pajamas, they get to the bedroom of the Riders as fast as possible.
"What have happened?"
"Is someone injured?"
"No, we are both all right. Someone tried to get into the castle. I stopped him and he ran away." Explained Edward, pointing to his weapon.
"To Ramrod, quickly. Maybe the cameras will show us more."
To get to the huge ship took some time, so on the monitor, they could just see a small space ship leaving the atmosphere of the Earth. Still, for Colt was it enough.
"Look, who is it! I would recognize that ship everywhere!"
"Cowboy, do you mean, it is J-?"
"Yes, I would bet the property of the whole Cavalry, that that is Jesse Blue!"
"So he really survived the last battle. But what was he doing here?"
"We have to call Commander Eagle! Vacation or not, this is important."
Meantime Edward with Mary were sitting in the bedroom. Better said, Mary was sitting, Edward was not able to stand still for a second.
"Why have you done it?"
"I had to."
"No, what was that about? It was dangerous. It was the man who has worked for the Outriders. Jesse Blue or what was his name. I remember him. He could harm you!"
"No, he would not."
"Mary, stop that. I was never interested into your secrets, but this is too dangerous. He was trying to conquer our whole dimension. What wanted he here?"
Slowly, Mary Rider, came to a decision. She didn't love him, but he helped her a lot and accepted her and Saber. She owes him the truth. If he was able to accept Saber, he is probably able to accept also her past.
"Edward, please, sit down and listen to me. I can not hide it any more in front of you. I owe you for all at least the truth. I left home on the day of my seventeenth birthday, because I had enough of the life of aristocracy. I traveled a lot and get even to Calishia. I met there...."she gulped and gave Edward a photo. "This is Sabers father. After realizing that I'm pregnant, we got married. But Saber was not our only child....."
Ramrod – Control Room
"Commander Eagle!"
"What have happened?"
"We are at the Riders now, Sir. Few minutes ago, Jesse Blue was trying to get here."
"WHAT?"
"Jesse Blue tried to get into the bedroom of the Riders. He was menacing Mrs. Rider, but Mr. Rider stopped him. Unfortunately, he escaped."
"This is really unpleasant, Fireball and it complicates the situation. I'm changing my opinion, you will come to Yuma right now, despite the outrage, you have started in Cavalry."
"But Sir, should we not stay here and guard the Riders?"
"No, Colt. First, it will be better to clean the air and you were not able to protect them, second. If I understand correct. No, don't take it bad, it was not your fault." added Eagle quickly after seeing Colts face. "There is something more I want to speak about with you. If you leave now, you should be able to get here within next 72 hours." Eagle saluted and the big monitor darkened.
"So, now what! Fireball, do you think, we can leave?"
"We have to, Colt. But I don't like the idea of leaving the Riders here unprotected."
"And don't forget, Sabers Mum is hiding something. How are we supposed to find out now?"
"John, Eagle doesn't know about all those strange things, at least not from us. Have Colt with April not told you?"
"Ahh, Turbofreak, we forgot somehow to mention that."
"Yes Fire, we thought hmm, he's aware of it."
"Obviously not." noted Samantha. "So, now you are." She was not so angry at all, because for the first time after revealing her true identity, Colt distracted by Eagles comment about their abilities forgot the aloofness and called her with old nickname. No, the others were not angry or disgusted from her, still, especially Colt was not so outspoken to her any more. Now, new circumstances made him forget.
"I'm suggesting, we will go back to the Riders and tell them, we are leaving." ended Sam the discussion.
The Riders were already expecting them in the big dinner room. Mary, sitting in the arm-chair, could not hide, that a big burden from her heart vanished. Edward was too surprised by the secret she finally decided to share with him, to be mad on her. When hearing the Starsheriffs coming back, he looked on door. Fireball as first entered and his knowing look puzzled her pretty much.
"You are leaving, right?"
"Yes. Commander Eagle, ordered to come back to Yuma. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, it is not your fault."
"Still, Mr. Rider, what will you do, when Jesse Blue comes back?"
"I don't think so. And if yes, people from Cavalry will help us, I'm sure."
"?"
"They were guarding us during last month, so they will probably continue doing it now." Edward sighed. "Maybe, the will even show themselves this time."
"Sorry for such puzzlement, Eagle did not tell us."
"It's OK. When exactly are you leaving?"
"Right now."
The Riders wished all of them a good journey. Mary asked Fireball to come near. She took her hands, looked in her eyes and said. "It's not an easy path you decided to walk. Maybe it was not only your choice, but be strong and one day, you will be rewarded. Be strong, my child." after saying that, Samantha, not able to stand any more, fell on knees. Mary kissed her on both cheeks. "You are always welcome here."
Two big tears ran down Samanthas cheeks. This woman was obviously knowing about her and despite it, she accepted her as a daughter. The feeling of having a real home and family overwhelmed her and mixed up with memories on those terrible years of lonely existence, of fear from being caught......The emptiness she was feeling after Sabers death get suddenly filled by Mary. It was too much to handle. Something in her broke. The tears were followed by a next one and next one. Before really realizing it, was Samantha crying on Marys lap.
Edward seeing the scene in front of him led the rest of the Starsheriffs team away. Mary felt a big pity for the poor girl. She could understand very well, through what she had to go. So she just put a hand on her head, leaving free way to Samanthas feelings. She only wished, she could spare her from the torture. One sentence, one sentence could do it....Unfortunately, Mary knew very well, it is not possible.
For the first time in her life, tears brought Samantha relief. Samantha cried out the loneliness, the pain she was feeling for the whole time. She was crying for the years spent home with strict grandparents. She was crying for the years spent in marriage with a hated man. She was crying for what she was forced to do to survive. She was crying for time spent pretending to be a boy. She was crying, for her lover. She was crying, because there was someone, who was giving her comfort. She was crying, because there was someone, who understood her, really understood her. She was crying, because every tear that left her beautiful brown eyes increased the sweet-bitter feeling in her chest. For the first time in her life, she was knowing, who she really is and where she belongs. For the first time in her life, she found balance. She was ready to fight again.
After the last tear left her eyes and the last sob escaped from her lips, she get on feet.
"I'm sorry..."
"No, my child, you needed it. Now go. And visit us whenever you want. Be strong....my girl."
"Good bye....Mum."
With those words Samantha left the room. The others were already waiting on her in Ramrod.
"Our destination, Yuma! Lets go!"
And so, the big spaceship left the Highlands.
Commander Eagle was already awaiting them on the airport. Instead of greeting, he said just:
"Spare your questions for later and come with me, we have found something, what will interest you."
They divided into to army jeeps with drivers, who brought them far behind Yuma city. Girls with Eagle shared the first one, Colt and John the second. Presence of Eagle prohibited any questions from either April or Sam, but they would be unsuccessful even if they were there alone, because the boys were also trying to find out at least the destiny and the result was the same.
In the middle of a plain, where was nothing, only few bushes, a group of men was waiting for them. Behind them were three cars. One was an usual army jeep, like those two, that brought the Starsheriffs with Eagle here. The next one was a bigger van and the third car had a small crane. This cars only increased the curiosity of the Starsheriffs. Eagle was obviously familiar with at least one of them, because he asked him directly.
"Where is it?"
"Here, have a look, Commander."
All of them looked on the place, to which was the men pointing to. There was a wooden cross, marking something, what was looking like a grave. On the cross was a short notice.
- Here is resting Dr. Andersen, let it be a warning for you!!! -
"You have not started yet?"
"No, we were waiting for you."
"So, begin."
Three men started to dig. None from the shocked Starsheriffs said a word.
It took some time, before one of the men announced, he had found something. Eagle used the time to introduce the man to the team.
"This is detective Peters, he was entrusted to find Dr Andersen and these are the Starsheriffs – Colt, John, April and the captain, Fireball."
"Nice to meet you."
"Hello."
After shaking hand to every member of the Ramrod team, detective concentrated on the digging work again.
"There is something. Wood."
"Continue."
The hole was grooving every minute. Finally, the whole contain was revealed. A wooden coffin. The digging men made the whole bigger, so it was possible to get to the coffin also from side and not only from up. The rest of the group was just observing together with the Starsheriffs. Now, they prepared the small, simple crane, to get the coffin out. Once it was out, no one dared to come near to it.
After few minutes of just standing near, Eagle asked one of the men.
"Detective, do you think, we can open it?"
"Well, actually, this should do a coroner."
"But it would take to much time."
"Hm...we were supposed to call him, before we started."
"Aha.....so, open it, I'm ready to take full responsibility for it."
"Are you sure, Commander?"
"Just open it!"
The detective followed the order and in a while, the coffin was open. The shock of the Starsheriffs, but also of the rest of the company, turned into pure horror. Inside was a man. Or at least, he was looking like a man. His hands were holding his neck, his feet were trying to get their owner away and his face was not a face of a human anymore. Eyes opened and big, mouth stiffen in the last outcry. The grotesque masque shoving real fear from something inevitable. He was probably put there alive and he died after running from oxygen.
What a terrible death!!! Who could be so cruel? No one should die by such death. Everybody was missing words, it was not possible to say anything.
Samantha with all the others was looking on Dr. Andersen. She was also trying to imagine the last seconds of his life. What have he done, to deserve such a fate? It had surely something with Saber, but what?
Suddenly, she was not able to stand it anymore. She turned back, run a few steps, fell on all four and emptied her stomach. New and new attacks of sickness came over her, so she was not able to notice, what is going on around her. She was feeling only fear, pain and filth in her body and was trying to get clean as fast as possible. She was not feeling the hands, that were holding her head and back. Everything vanished in a gray cloud.
Once her stomach was definitely empty, she was starting to recognize the world. Two strong hands were supporting here and led her to the car. After sitting down, she felt a bottle with water coming to her lips. Drops of the liquid running down here throat, were like a balsam. Now she fully recovered here senses and looked into Johns worried and shocked eyes.
"Oh my God."
"Are you all right, now?"
"Ah, well, yes, I suppose. That was terrible!"
The picture of Dr. Andersen's face brought a new bout of nausea. Luckily, there was only a little water in Samantha's stomach, that ended fast between her feet.
John was observing the poor girl in front of him, as was she fighting with sickness. He knew, there is probably no way, he could help her. He understood, that she is matching Andersen somehow together with her dead lover.
Still, he was slowly starting to look on her with different eyes. First, revealing of her true identity puzzled him. He was not used on such situations. Then, her past disgusted him. Luckily, he never said opinion before thinking about it properly and after that day, he was thankful for it like never before. Imagination of how was she suffering blow the disgust away. Destroying of the Outrider base together with the episode at the Riders showed him, that the leader of the Starsheriffs is a responsible person and started to create respect and maybe friendship between them. Now, he saw neither a leader, nor a friend, he saw a very lonely and very beautiful woman...
April was also not able to stand such a picture, but she choose a less disgusting way and fainted into Colts arms after the first look on Dr. Andersen. Colts clenched teeth while carrying April to the second jeep made Eagle sure, that the team has just reached maximum of what can they bear, so he sent them back to Ramrod.
"Kids, ask one of the drivers to bring you back to Ramrod, I will follow you after finishing this."
His voice interrupted John exactly when he was trying to take Samantha's hands in his own.
Secret base somewhere in universe
The radar was making noise, warning Marco, that someone is trying to get near the base. One look on monitor calmed him. He recognized the small spaceship.
"Simona, Jesse's back!"
Simona ran into the room, while her brother was opening the gate of hangar, not even waiting, till someone announce himself from board of the ship.
"Look!"
"Back so soon? Something happened."
"Lets wait for him in the hangar."
With those words left the red haired siblings the control room. Jesse came out from his space ship.
"Hi! Happened something interesting while I was away?" he asked and took his girlfriend in arms.
"Nothing. Your experiences from the journey are more interesting, I suppose."
"Right. We thought, you will stay in the Highlands for a longer time."
"Ahh, dear, I'm starting to believe, you're really having some extraordinary abilities."
"What?"
"The Starsheriffs were really in the Highlands. Invited to tell their version of the whole story."
"O-O. And..."
"And Mum guessed everything of course."
"She have not told them, have she?"
"No, she wanted, but I asked her to put it off for a while. But she was quite furious on all of us."
"Not so astonishing...." sighed Marco with a guilty expression.
"It was brutal but necessary. And we could not risk this trip sooner, with all the guards around."
"Guards or not, we should let her know somehow. Is it all?"
"She's asking all of us being careful anddd" Jesse made a small pause to sound the next word more dramatically. "She wants me to kiss you instead of her. Both of you." he finished with a sparkling look on his best friend.
"Very funny. You can kiss Simona twice, I'm sure, that will be sufficient.
Eagle's office on Yuma
Eagle was sitting in his office and looking on Ramrod team in front of him. He was not sure how to start. All his kids were still pale, especially Fireball. There was definitely something wrong with him, but what?
Why he's looking like going to collapse any minute? And the others are looking on him so strange. Colt and April condolence, John with...I can not even describe it. The death body of Andersen could not cause all of this. They have already seen such brutality during last year...Or, is he already thinking about ...
"This meeting has never happened, agreement? But we can not continue like this, it is necessary to clean the table properly. Do you understand?"
He looked everyone eye to eye, till all of them have nodded.
"So, we can start. First, let me speak, then I'm ready to hear your opinion. The Outriders were the biggest, but not only problem. I suppose, you know already the most important about the Calishians and their demands from John, so I'm not going to repeat it.
As a product of hasten diplomacy and underestimating them, especially their Secret Service, we got under a big pressure. I'm not going to details. The result – it was necessary to do everything secretly. During last month, we were trying to find out what exactly have happened to Saber.
Now, it is proofed, that Jesse Blue has really been in that small desert village, we're having at least two authentic witnesses. And we're having a message from local patrol, that they saw a small spaceship leaving on evening of the burial. The question is, was it really an accident and Jesse was on wrong places in wrong time just like Saber, or was it an accident and Jesse have used the opportunity to eliminate his biggest enemy. In both cases, the Satanists just used the offered opportunity, or was it all planned from the beginning and the devastation is a cover maneuver.
Despite what do you think, death of Saber Rider is determining all activities of Cavalry Command. We have not lost only a good captain, he was much, much more. I'm speaking about Cavalry Command generally, my personal feelings are not important now. You know, what was Saber for me." he sighed and continued. "He was a legend, a true symbol freedom and independence for common people."
Samantha imagined for a second Sabers "enthusiasm" for being such a legend. He was showing it only in privacy and only in front of her, even Colt with April had no idea about it. He was a responsible young man at all and everywhere he stepped, he could see a general benefit for people. Everyone was happy to see the famous captain and his presence gave people a feeling of safety, so he just clenched teeth. He was also aware of the fact, that the team would be only half so successful, if he showed his true feelings. But in his mind, he was planning a wonderful future in anonymity with his girlfriend without this burden....
"We were trying to find Jesse." continued Eagle "Unsuccessfully, of course. The house of Riders was guarded, because the possibility of Blue coming there was not unreal. Saber was the captain of a team that humiliated him so many times. We all know Jesse good enough...he likes to torture the people that have harmed him somehow, really or only in his mind and Edward with Mary represented the best possible target, he just could wish. After a month, our attention fell down a little..."
Eagle looked on his audience.
"Anyway, your version of Saber's death was not really acceptable for CC, but it was pointing to the fact, that it was not an accident, so we sent there the best available man – Dr. Andersen, who beside being a good pathologist was also familiar with the practices of Satanists – to make an exhumation and tell us more. I don't know how have you found out about him, because it was top secret and I don't want to know!"
With the last part of sentence he stopped the coming reaction on the beginning.
"He has really found there something, because he called me and said, that the devastation was not done by Satanists and he needs to speak with me between four eyes immediately. He came back here, but I was not able to meet him on the evening of his arrival, so we postponed it. In the same evening also you tried to meet him and he was kidnapped.
I knew, that sooner or later also you will notice the suspicious details in your story and start to investigate on your own. Your presence and possible discoveries would only complicate our situation, so I have used John as a spy and a distraction from the actual problem. Maybe it was not the best choice, but kidnapping of Dr. Andersen enhanced it all, so there was not time to change."
After a small stop, he continued.
"It was clear, that with you around is any secret investigation out of question. The announcement of the Outrider base came in right time, we have sent you as far as possible. And then to the Riders...meanwhile, detective Peters, who you have met today, was searching for any clue after Andersen. Meantime, I spoke with the workers, that has been with Andersen in the desert. And do you know what have they told me? The grave was empty, there was only buried ash and a burnt piece of wood. Doctor took it of course with him, but it vanished with him...
And now, tell me all, you can add to this incredible story!"
With that sentence he finished his monologue. His little audience was trying to digest the new information, that have they just received.
Fireball/Samantha as first found enough courage.
"What do you mean with empty grave, Sir?"
"As I said, there was nothing, just ash and burnt wood. Oh, the workers could not say me no more facts, but they're suspecting, that the wood is a piece of coffin."
"And the ash, was it also from coffin, or from his....body?" Samantha had to take all her energy to ask this last question. Now, also the others fully understood her worries, that were following her the last hour. Was Saber really death, or was his state only mistaken for it, due to their inexperience with such things? Is the ash hiding a mistake or a brutal murder? None from them was able even to think this consideration to the end.
"They don't know." answered Eagle quietly. He, just like Samantha, came to the same conclusion sooner than the rest and was hoping, they will not find it. "All, what have happened there, took part during the first night. The place was guarded from the next day. And now, no one would be able to tell us how was the coffin and it's contain manipulated."
The four Starsheriffs were silently sitting on their places. They had the grief state after them, there was only a big longing for revenge. Someone is going to pay badly for this! It was not necessary to speak with each other, they decided in the same second to reveal some facts to Eagle.
Again, Samantha started.
"Sir, now I know, that we have made you a lot of extra problems, but please, understand, we just could not sit and wait!"
"I understand you. In the light of last events, it is clear, that we should at least inform you about our activities. Anyway, what is done, is done. What exactly happened at the Riders?"
"Actually, we don't know. We have not seen Jesse, only his spaceship leaving atmosphere. But Mrs. Rider was a little strange for the whole time. I'm sure, she could explain us a lot, she's knowing much more, than she told us. Maybe if we return back..."
"This is really unpleasant! I wanted to hear also Edwards version of the story, so I called him yesterday. He was saying the same like you and on the end, he added, that the events of the last month had a bad affection on Mary's health, so they are traveling away. Of course, he has not said where and politely refused our protection."
Samantha was loosing ground under feet. Should I tell him, that Mary was not sad but concerned? That would be unfair against her. But this is really urgent. And that she was familiar with the girl in the desert? Hmm, Eagle has proved today, that he's having efficient people, maybe, they can help us to find her...
"There, in the desert, was a young woman – the one, who told us, that it is too late...She is probably the key to all of this. If we find her...Remember, if not her, we would wait with the burial!"
"Fireball, I remember your report and the CC came already to the same conclusion, but do you think it is easy to find a tall, slim young woman, with unknown face and no name?"
"We forgot to mention it last time. She was also having a foreign accent and she was missing a part of little finger on left hand." added Colt.
"This is important, why have you not told me sooner! I will inform Peters immediately. He was looking after her, but the inhabitants of the village could not tell him more than you. She was avoiding any contacts. Is there anything more?"
Samantha took a deep breath and said.
"Mrs. Rider is familiar with her."
Eagle looked with a serious expression on the new captain of Ramrod team.
"Are you sure with that?"
Now, also April joined the conversation.
"Yes, Daddy, it was obvious. And, before it all happened, Saber was not behaving like usually. He has been strange for a longer time. Or maybe just different. And no one knows, where he spent his last vacation. Only before going to desert he calmed a little. Now, I suppose, he knew, what will come."
The last sentence again mixed everything. Sabers strange behavior was pointing to the theory, that it all happened on purpose and it was not a murder. Acting of Mrs. Rider was also speaking for it. But what happened there? It was a secret and a dangerous secret. Only an hour ago have they seen, how.
From three people able to explain it – Jesse Blue, the stranger and Mrs. Rider – two were missing and the third one also escaped....All possibilities how to find out vanished in the air, they were in a blind alley.
This time it was Colt who broke the silence.
"Commander, on the first meeting with Fireball after John joining us, I've heard that you mentioned something about changes in CC."
"John has already informed you, I suppose."
"Sir, under su-"
"Stop it, John! I knew of course, they will force you to tell one day. I was just hoping, you will be able to resist for a longer time. Never mind, you're now probably very well informed about the politic situation. The Calishians are playing a double game and we can not risk an opened conflict with them, when the Outriders are making problems. We could not in the past and we can not now. So we were forced at least to pretend, we're thinking about accepting their demands."
The Starsheriffs have of course not interrupted him with a confession, that they are already familiar with a part of the Calishian demands.
"There were more. Most important were: They wanted to have the authority to judge every non-military person, who in their opinion developing any activity against the government. As next, Saber was not acceptable for them in the army of CC. They wanted him to leave. I don't know why....it is not difficult to imagine, what would follow after Saber becoming a civilian. We are still, also after his death under a big pressure. I don't know, what have he done to them, but they are interested into his person far far more, than it would be expected.
Unfortunately, Saber was not the only person, who they wanted to leave CC. I, Whitehawk and several others are also on their list. They can not show it openly, but there is no doubt and they are ready to use every opportunity to get us out of here. And death of Saber was such a opportunity. They are having something with it, I'm sure...if we solve this mystery, we have maybe a weapon against them and can create a new alliance."
All of those commanders were probably on Sabers side. thought April.
"Your pointing to the rebels probably. To be honest, Sir, the real reason why offering myself as a volunteer for this job was to find out more about all of this. Our moral was suffering badly, still is and it looked like nothing is going to happen. Now, I fully understand. But do you think, the rebels will help us?"
"I don't know. It is a chance, nothing more. Try to imagine how serious our situation is. On one side is again threatening an opened conflict with the Outriders, on the other a coming war with the Calishians. We are too weak even together with Jarr Kingdom. The rebels are our only hope. From what have I heard, they are powerful enough to distract the Calishians from us for some time."
"Dad, are we having any contact on them?"
"No."
"Sir, then how ca-"
"The near future will show us."
Eagle looked on them seriously for the last time. He sighed and started.
"Now, we can't do anything. You will return to Ramrod and wait for the order where and when to leave. John, you also. You're too deep in this, to leave. I see, that you got a real team member, so I'm not going to initiate a next change. Colt, Robin was calling me, she wanted to hear an explanation, so you can visit her, but be as quick as possible. And try to avoid everyone. For the rest, it is prohibited to leave Ramrod. Remember, this meeting never took part. And, try to slow your activities in next weeks. I will inform you as soon, as I have something new."
With that words he gave hand to all boys and hugged April.