A/N:Please be patient. Updates will be a bit sporadic, as I'm trying to roughly translate the Japanese version of the series. I am planning on going through some of the series episodes (Dialogue may not be entirely accurate). I will be taking bits from both the Original Japanese and the American version of the story line. I will mostly follow the order of the Japanese story line. Please let me know what you think. I won't be doing ALL of the episodes, and I may even combine a few of them into one chapter. Thanks for your patience :-)

I Do NOT own Saber Rider or SeiJushi Bismarck. Don't sue me.

Chapter 9: He's With Me

"Gotcha!" Colt says as he grabs an iguana by the tail as it attempts to flee from him. "Maybe I can keep you for a pet. You'd like it with me."

"Well, it appears that one of the power plants nearby has been attacked," Saber says glancing to Fireball, who nods.

"How far away from us, Saber?," Fireball asks.

"Not far from our current location. We should arrive in about twenty minutes if we leave right away," Saber replies as he begins typing into his terminal. "I'll see if I can pull up any visuals, so that we know what we're heading into."

"Or at least how bad it is before we get there," April adds.

"I've been unable to raise anyone at the plant or the base not far from there. That doesn't bode well given the history of the Outriders," Saber states as he stands up and heads for the ramp. "I'll see if I can spot the cowboy nearby. "Colt come in," Saber calls on his com-link.

"Everything okay, Saber?" Colt replies.

"We've got a call. We need to check out the remains of a power plant.," Saber replies as he reaches the top of the ramp and starts to head down.

"Over here," Colt calls as he reaches the trio, holding the lizard by his tail when he tries to jump off his shoulder and run away. April and Fireball come down the ramp, just as Colt makes his way towards them.

"EEEEK!" April screeches and jumps behind Saber. "Wha...What is THAT?!"

"What?" Colt asks, then realizing she means the lizard he holds it up. "Oh, this little guy? I was thinking about keeping him as a pet. He's kinda cute, don'tcha think?"

Fireball rolls his eyes, trying not to laugh. "No pets, Colt," he manages to say without laughing.

"Aye, I don't think it would be fair to April or the iguana to make them share living space," Saber says half serious.

"That THING is NOT going on my ship!" April says, still hiding behind Saber for protection.

"Aw, come on. He's harmless," Colt retorts holding it up by it's tail.

"Let it go, Colt," Saber says a bit more forcefully. "If not for April's sake, then for the lizard's. His home is this planet. It wouldn't be right to remove him from it."

Colt goes to reply when Fireball speaks up. "Aren't we here on a mission?"

They all sort of stop and Saber nods. "Aye. We need to get going."

Just then a group of Outriders come out from a canyon and begin firing at them. They all dive for cover, Colt shoving April down with him as he dives for cover.

"Thanks, Colt," April says recovering from the force of the two of them hitting ground.

Colt goes to reply when more shots are fired and he rolls them towards a rock. "Stay down," he says and April nods as he gets up and starts firing back, killing a few of the attackers in the process.

"I think they were the welcoming committee," Fireball says as he fires several shots towards the place where the Outriders are firing from.

"Aye, it's like they knew we were here," Saber adds dryly. "We need to get back to the ship," he adds.

"You guys head for it. I'll draw their fire and come after you," Colt states.

Fireball looks to argue when Saber speaks up, "He's right. We can't stay here."

Fireball sighs and nods, turning back towards the ship, April not far behind him and Saber taking up the rear to help fight off any possible pursuers. They manage after a scuffle to get back to the ship, Colt joining them quickly. "Let's go," Fireball says as he hops into the pilot unit and revs the engine.

"Looks like they were expecting us," Saber says dryly. "Let's pull back and find a safer place to land to figure out our next move.

"On it," Fireball replies and they take off, landing some time later in a canyon.

"Maybe one of us should go on ahead. Sort of like a scouting mission," Colt offers.

"And just who do you suggest go, Cowboy?" Fireball asks, casting a look Colt's direction.

"Me, of course," Colt replies as if it's perfectly obvious.

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Colt. I've been trained for such missions, and as Captain I think I should go," Saber replies.

Colt scoffs. "I've been working as a bounty hunter for a few years. I think I know a thing or two about not bein' seen by a mark," he retorts.

"I think we should decide fairly to see who gets to go," Saber states, standing up.

"And just how do ya figure we do that?" Colt asks.

Saber takes a coin out of his pocket and holds it up. "I say we flip for it," he replies.

Colt takes the coin and inspects it. "Looks real enough. It's your coin, so I call," he replies. Saber nods and Colt flips the coin into the air. "Heads I go, tails, you go," he says just before the coin falls to the floor and all four lean down to look at it. "Heads! I go," he says as he scoops up the coin with a smirk and turns to get his helmet.

"Hey, just a minute, Cowboy. Let me see that coin," Saber says suspiciously.

"Sure thing," Colt replies, tossing the coin to Saber, who catches it mid-air. "It's the same one ya gave me."

Saber takes the coin and inspects it, releasing a sigh of disappointment.

"Told ya it was your coin," Colt says amused. "I'll call ya'll when I get there." With that, he heads to the cargo bay and hops into his Bronco Buster. He sets a coin down on the console and chuckles to himself. "I never said I flipped the coin ya gave me," he mutters to himself with a chuckle as he takes off towards the power plant. About a half an hour later, Colt arrives at the place the distress signal is sent from and he lets out a low whistle as he looks over the amount of devastation. "Hey, Saber, I'm sending you some pictures. I don't think anyone survived this," Colt says over the com-link.

"I'm afraid you may be right, Cowboy. These images don't look good," Saber replies grimly. "We are about twenty minutes out, Colt. Try and find a vantage point to monitor the area for signs of Outrider activity and we'll meet up with you when we arrive."

"Copy that. I'll let ya know if I find anything," Colt replies before closing the connection. He heads towards a vantage point on a cliff that overlooks the remains of what was once the power plant. He spots what he thinks is movement. "Maybe I can get a little closer if I use the canyon to get a better view of who or what is down there," he thinks to himself as he makes his way to the canyon. He proceeds carefully and is just about to the remains of a building when three Outrider soldiers appear from nowhere and start firing in his direction. "Damn it!" he swears under his breath as he heads away from them in search of cover. Spotting a small lizard scurrying into a break in the rock that looks large enough for him, he follows it. "Hey, you're the lizard from earlier, aren't ya?" he asks. Looking around, he stiffens and shrinks back into a shadow when he hears movement not far from the entrance. "I hope the others get here soon. I think I'm a bit out gunned," he thinks to himself. A flash of light, then an explosion of rocks and dirt just inches from him. "Better get movin'," he says to the little lizard, as it jumps onto his shoulder as if looking for protection. The pair head deeper into the cavern and soon he hears the sounds of weapons being fired dangerously close to him.

"Colt, can you read me?" April asks through the com-link.

"Are you getting anything, April?" Fireball asks.

April shakes her head. "Nothing yet."

"I'm a sittin' duck in here. This ain't looking good," Colt mutters to himself. Just then, the little lizard starts calling him and he turns to see it scurry to the far end of the cavern, stopping momentarily to see if Colt is following it. "A way out?" Colt asks as he approaches the lizard and it scurries out of the cave. "Thanks, little buddy," Colt says as he points and shoots at the vacated entrance. "Now it's big enough for me to get outta here," he says as he exits the cave, the lizard hopping back onto his shoulder for protection. A large blast knocks him forward, just as he gets out. "Whew, just in time too. That was too close for my liking."

"Outriders ahead," Saber states as he heads towards Colt's last known location on Donatello, Fireball beside him in the Red Fury.

"I see 'em," Fireball replies as they start firing at them before they have a chance to be attacked.

The pair make quick work of several fighters.

"Bronco Buster to Bismarck, come in," Colt calls.

"Colt?!" April replies. "Are you all right?"

"Doin' fine."

"Saber and Fireball are in the canyon headed your way."

"I see 'em. Looks like they have a few friends to deal with. Colt out," he says as he joins the fight, destroying a few of the Outriders in the process.

"Well look who decided to join us," Fireball says.

"Glad you could make it, Colt," Saber says as he destroys another fighter.

"Well, it looks like ya'll got this under control, I'm heading for that plant to get me a few Outriders," Colt says as he starts towards the plant.

"What?!" Fireball exclaims as Colt takes off. "He can't do that!"

"We'll catch up to him, Fireball. He's not far up ahead," Saber replies.

"A Renegade unit!" Fireball exclaims.

"Should have known. April, we need you to meet us," Saber replies.

"On my way. Ramp is down," April replies.

"Right," Both Fireball and Saber reply as they head for the ship, barely avoiding being hit by fire from the enemy unit.

"Let's go get Colt," Saber states as both he and Fireball head for their control units. "Colt, we're coming. Be ready to board us quickly," Saber calls over the com-link.

"Got it, Saber. On my way," Colt replies as he heads for the ramp while dodging the Renegade units attacks. "All right! I'm on board and heading for ya!" Colt replies as he jumps out of his Bronco Buster, heading for the control room of the ship.

"Ramp is closed. Go ahead, Fireball," April calls.

"Initiating Challenge Phase!" Fireball says as he hits the button begins the ship's transformation.

"Look out!" Fireball calls as they barely evade an attack and the unit charges them again.

"We've been hit!" April says as the unit is pushed backwards from the force.

"Get ready. It's about to fire," Saber says. "Colt, aim low. It seems to be the thing's weakest point."

"Right," Colt says with a nod as he locks in on the enemy unit. The unit and the Bismarck fire simultaneously, negating the blasts.

"Again!" Saber calls as Colt fires a second round, hitting the mark, causing the renegade unit to explode.

"Well, that's the end of that unit," Colt remarks.

"Aye, so it is. That's one less that we've got to worry about," Saber remarks.

"Too bad they just keep making more," April states as they fly off towards a safer place.

Sometime later, they are standing outside the Bismarck and Colt releases the lizard. "Go on, little guy. Like me you're meant to be free," Colt says, shooing the lizard away.

The others look at him in surprise.

"What?" he asks as he stands up, watching the lizard scurry away.

"I thought you wanted to keep it as a pet?" April asks.

"Well, when I was stuck in that cave, I realized what it's like to be a little thing held captive by something bigger. I didn't like it, so I don't think it'd be fair to the lizard to keep 'em cooped up on the ship. Like me, he's born to be wild," Colt states matter-of-factly, eliciting a laugh from the others.

"What?" Colt asks as the laughter dies down.

"Nothing, Cowboy," Fireball replies with a grin. "Come on, let's get outta here," he adds as they head back to the ship and take off.