I don't own Saber Rider or SeiJushi Bismarck, so don't sue me.

Chapter 6: Dominoes

"So how long are you home for this time, Richard?" Sincia asks as they sit quietly outside her parents home having tea.

Saber sighs. "Just for the weekend I'm afraid," Saber replies."There have been attacks more frequently, and since I've been instituted with the Queen's Service, I must help fight these creatures. I was given leave for the weekend, barring any major issues, so I wanted to come and see you."

"You're always gone, Richard. We never spend time together to talk about our marriage and what our life together will be like," Sincia says becoming more upset.

"Sincia," Saber begins, obviously unsure of what to say. "We have a couple more years before we can marry. There is plenty of time to plan, Love. If we can't stop these creatures from invading us, then things will only get worse. I am the youngest to have been allowed to join the Queen's Elite, not an honor to be taken lightly. I have my duty to protect our people, I have sworn the oath of a soldier," he states firmly.

"What of your duty to me?" Sincia asks in an accusatory tone.

Saber flinches, but meets her gaze, "I am remaining faithful to you when I am away, and I come to see you as often as I am able. At this point, as per our betrothal agreement that is all that is required until we are both of legal age," Saber says quietly.

"So you think of me as a requirement?" Sincia says, obviously becoming enraged.

"That is not what I meant," Saber replies becoming agitated. "I was looking forward to coming to see you. Obviously, you aren't happy that I have," he stands to leave. "I suppose I should leave then. I'll make a point of stopping by tomorrow before I leave."

"Richard, wait..." Sincia says as she stands up and places a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry for being cross, but I just feel so left out," she states, trying to hold her composure.

Saber watches her for a moment then sighs and sits back down. "What are you talking about?" he asks obviously confused.

Sincia returns to her chair and studies him for a moment, pondering her explanation, "Most of the other girls in class, their betrothed are in my class or the one above. They are able to spend time together, going to dances, and meeting for teas and such. But because you got ahead, I don't get to participate in such activities. I feel like I'll be marrying a stranger," she says, her voice breaking and tears falling. "But not having been to many classes, I suppose you wouldn't understand," she adds barely audible.

Saber listens, and then sits in silence, trying to formulate a reply. "I'm sorry, Love," he finally says. "I suppose you're right, I have failed you socially," he pauses and studies first her, then looks out onto the estate of her family before continuing, "I want us to have a good life. I want to be able to support you and any children we may have," he states quietly, getting a look of surprise from Sincia. "I know you will be interning as a teacher in a year, then after that we can marry, but until then I am trying to make sure you won't have to if you don't wish to work. I've been reassigned to a top secret project with Cavalry Command. It is an incredible opportunity. They say this project could end the war," he finishes quietly. "I've been keeping a journal. I write letters to you about where I've been, who I've met. How the places are different than here. Random thoughts, and such. I do it because at least then I feel connected to here...and to you, Sincia. I plan on giving it to you once I fill the book, then I'll start a new one."

She stares at him in a mix of shock and guilt for her earlier anger. "I suppose now I should be apologizing," she says barely a whisper. "I had no idea you ever thought of me other than when you are here."

Saber shakes his head. "You had no way of knowing, Love. I was hoping to finish the journal in about a month and bring it back to you as a gift," he replies.

Sincia nods. "So you're leaving soon?" she asks, already knowing the reply.

"Aye, tomorrow morning, I'm to head back to Cavalry Command. I'll be taking Donatello as my personal mode of transport. Father is seeing me off from the port. Mother will come if she is feeling well enough."

"I had heard she was ill. Is she not improving?" Sincia asks.

Saber shakes his head grimly, his expression darker. "I don't think she's going to get better, to be honest," he replies quietly. "But I won't ever voice that to father. I'm afraid it would not help him cope with it."

"I truly do hope you're wrong."

"Aye, Sincia, so do I," Saber states with a sigh. "I suppose I really should be going. I would like to see you tomorrow, before I leave, if you will allow it."

Sincia nods. "Should we plan for breakfast?" she asks.

Saber nods. "I'd like that. I could even take you out, if you'd like. Father is meeting me at the port, so we could eat together in town. Thomas has already said he would gladly drive you home afterwards," Saber says. "Think about where you'd like to go."

Sincia stands up and smiles. "I look forward to it."

"See you in the morning then. Good evening, Love," Saber replies before kissing her cheek and heading back to his estate.

The next morning, Saber and Sincia meet for breakfast and she rides along to the port with him, meeting his father there. "Good morning, father," Saber says, snapping to attention and offering a salute.

Edward Rider smiles, "At ease, Saber, you will do enough of that at Cavalry Command. I must say that the uniform suits you."

Saber resists the urge to laugh outright and allows a small nod, "Thank you, sir. I will do my best to not disappoint you."

"I know you won't. You have already made both your mother and I proud. She wanted to be here today, but it would have been too hard on her."

Saber nods. "I will contact you when I can to check on her...and you," Saber replies.

"Take care and we shall talk soon," Edward says, placing a hand for a moment on Saber's shoulder before turning his attention to Sincia. "Thomas is waiting for you at the car, Ms. March. He will take you home whenever you are ready. I have meetings to attend here."

"Yes, sir," Sincia replies. "Thank you."

Saber kisses her cheek before leaning down and reaching into his small bag and pulling out a parcel wrapped in brown paper and handing it to Sincia. "I want you to have this. I'm going to start a new one to send you, if you decide you'd like it after going through this one," Saber says quietly after she takes the parcel.

"Thank you, Richard. I'll keep it with me while you're gone. Please come back safely," she replies, forcing herself to show little emotion.

Saber smiles. "I hope to see you soon. I'll contact you when I can." Sincia nods and he turns and heads to the waiting ship.

"He is on his way back to you now, Commander. I appreciate you taking him onto the project," Edward says to the man on his screen.

"His record speaks for itself, Senator Rider. I've read reports of his superiors from his time in the Queen's Elite Service and all of it has been remarkable. You should be proud of him," commander Eagle says.

"I feel that she and my son will make a good team," Edward Rider states. "She's bloody brilliant in her own right. They seemed to understand one another when they first met. I am glad to see he doesn't mind having a younger woman talk to him as an equal. There are many men that would not like it." Edward chuckles. "He is a good soldier. Of course if he has doubts about something, don't be surprised if he voices them. He is very thorough in what he does." The two men both fall silent, apparently reading folders on their respective desks. "So what has become of the pilot you wanted for the ship? Has he been found?" Edward finally dares to ask.

Charles releases a sigh and shakes his head. "Nothing yet. I did hire someone to find him and bring him back."

"You hired someone?" Edward asks.

"Yes. A young man named Bill Wilcox. He finds people for a living. I've heard that he is the best at what he does," the commander replies.

"You put a bounty out on a pilot?" he asks in shock.

"I need to get him back here. The longer he's considered AWOL, the harder it will be to convince the council that we need him on this project, Senator. My daughter is trying to find him as well. They were good friends at one time...He has a few issues with authority, something that I'm hoping your son could help him with. Someone not much older than he is, might be able to get through to him. Someone who's not from here."

"I hope for all of our sakes that Saber can help. If you can retrieve the boy. He is Captain Hikari's son, isn't he?" Edward asks.

"Yes," Eagle replies with a nod. "Although he has not seemed to ever fully get over his father's death. Perhaps because we never were able to find a body, but that does not excuse his recent behaviour. He's responsible for his actions now. He just has to learn that bad choices have consequences." Charles takes a breath to calm himself before continuing, "Your son will be instated as a Captain among our ranks here. He has already taken our written exam. He passed it easily. Completed it in record time as well, I might add."

Edward chuckles, obviously amused, "That sounds like him. He barely attended actual school. He was too bored with the work. But, that allowed for other lessons and such that have proven quite useful for all of us. I just hope it continues to serve us as well as it already has."

"I feel that he will. April is looking forward to his input on the project from a securities standpoint. I know it is coming together quickly, so I am hopeful that we will get the young Mr. Hikari to grow up a little and serve alongside my daughter and your son. We are still hunting for the fourth team member. We should have one before the project is fully operational." He looks at his screen and notices an alert. "Well, the council wishes to meet. I'll talk to you after I've heard from them and keep you up to date on how things are progressing."

"Thank you, commander. Talk to you this evening," Edward replies and then closes the connection, the screen going dark. He then turns his attention to the mound of papers on his desk and begins collecting certain stacks and scanning them into a drive before ejecting it. He turns off the computer and the lights go off once he exits the room and he heads for the loading dock.