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

Chapter 16: Dangerous Visitors

Fireball stops in a roadway turning towards the sound of gunfire as people rush past him. "What's going on?" he asks a man who pauses briefly to try to drag him out of the chaos.

"Government opposing troops," the man replies.

"Government opposing troops?" Fireball replies as he looks back towards the action. "I've heard talks about guerrillas having joined the fights... Seems to be true," he mutters. "I'd better get the food and get lost," he states as he heads away from the fighting. He is walking past some stores when he pulls out a list and starts looking it over. "All right, what's the list saying? We need bread..." he mumbles as a young woman come barreling out of an alley nearly running into him.

"Please, sir. Help me, I'm being chased by bad men," she says fearfully as some men run after her yelling after her.

"Wait!" they call.

"This way. Let's go," he says turning down another alley in an attempt to help the woman.

"Stop right there!" the soldiers call as they gain ground on the pair and being firing at them.

"They don't seem too friendly," Fireball states as he starts firing back, knocking a few of the weapons from the soldiers hands.

"Damn it," one of the soldiers swears when he loses his weapon.

Fireball goes to fire once more when he realizes that he is firing at government soldiers. He stops and turns quickly to get out of the area before he is recognized.

"My car is this way," the woman states. "I suggest you get in before the reinforcements arrive."

A soldier spots them and calls after them, "Stop!"

Not seeing any other options, Fireball gets into the vehicle and they take off.

"Thanks for saving me before. My name is Bella by the way. What is your name?" she asks as he drives.

"That was quite a lie you told me back there," Fireball states after a long silence.

"A lie?" Bella asks innocently.

"The people that were chasing you, those weren't any bad guys, they were regular government soldiers."

"They are criminals in my opinion," she replies hotly.

"Who are you?" he asks exasperated.

"I'm a member of the western liberation army!" she states proudly.

"Guerrillas?!" he says in shock. "Great! A fine mess I've found myself in again," he mumbles.

"We're not guerrillas! We're fighters for justice and peace!"

"Ever heard about the Star Sheriffs?" he asks.

"Star Sheriffs? What's that supposed to be?"

"An elite force that is working to stop the Outriders and protecting the people."

"You're a Star Sheriff?" she asks.

Fireball nods, "I am one. I should go," he says forcefully as he stops the car and starts to get out.

"Wait!" she calls, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, you over there in the Jeep!" a couple of soldiers call to them after they spot them.

"Damn, we got to go!" Bella states. "Drive!"

"Stop right there!" one of the soldiers yells as he points his gun towards them.

Fireball nods. "All right," he says and floors it.

"Too bad," Bella says in sympathetic tone, "Now that you've killed one of them, these criminals are gunning for you, too."

"I haven't killed any of them!" he says defensively.

'"You shot in their direction, which by the way was quite a show," she replies nonchalantly. "It's all the same to them. You should lay low for a while, until this blows over. Pull over here," she states.

"But I..." Fireball stammers as he pulls up and parks where she tells him. They get out of the car and she leads him down an alley.

"Come on! You saved me, so now I'm indebted to you. Which is not exactly pleasing a thought, I might add," she states as they stop at an entrance to a building near some stairs they head up a flight and stop. "Wait here, I'll be right back." She leaves him at the top of the stairs, and he looks around at his surroundings, a bit nervous, but curious as to where he is. Bella returns after a minute and waves him inside. Once inside, he is met by another woman and several obviously armed men. The woman stares at Fireball with a look of curiosity and suspicion.

"He calls himself a Star Sheriff," Bella states with a smile. "He saved me from the guerrillas."

"I'm Shinji Hikari," he states a bit nervously, as he looks over the group before him.

"My name is Donna. Welcome," the woman says with a strained smile, taking a puff from her cigarette, her brown hair pulled back into a bun, showing off her sharp facial features. "Bella told us that you're quite the good fighter. She was practically gushing over your performance," she states with a hint of amusement.

"I was not!" Bella says defensively, a blush creeping to her cheeks.

"Would you like to join us? We could use someone like you," one of the men sitting down says.

"Sorry, but I'm outta here," Fireball states as he turns to leave.

"Not so fast! You know where we stay, so you cannot simply part our company," Donna says as she points a blaster in his direction. "Bella, take his gun."

"But, I can't disarm my savior just like that," Bella argues.

"Do it!"Donna says forcefully.

"I'm so sorry," Bella mumbles as she removes his blaster.

"You see, we'd rather not be found by the governmental forces, so you'll just have to stay with us for a while," Donna says simply.

"I'm not interested in what you or any government forces are doing and I'm also not going to tell anyone about your hide-out," Fireball replies.

"Oh, and there I thought the Star Sheriffs were also government abetters," Donna replies with a hint of amusement.

"Abetters?" Fireball repeats just as an alarm goes off.

"Okay, Bella, keep an eye on him," Donna says as she and the others head out the door. "Don't let him leave."

"I'm truly sorry, Fireball. There is nothing I can do," Bella says sympathetically.

"Yeah, I can imagine," Fireball retorts sarcastically. "Some thanks I get for saving your ass. Pointing my own gun at me."

"Funny, you don't look like the sarcastic type," Bella replies in just as sarcastic a tone.

"Sarcasm is my other name and if you want to change that, point this thing somewhere else," Fireball replies frustrated.

"Just forget it! And shut the hell up, got it?"

" Yeah, I got it! But at least let me get horizontal for a bit, okay?" he replies as he brushes past her and flops down on to an empty cot. "Holy mother," he mutters to himself as he puts his hands under his head and tries to relax. "This is what happens when you go out to just get some groceries. Colt will be gnawing on his belt by now," he adds in afterthought.

"Say, Fireball, do you like your work as a Star Sheriff?" Bella asks after a short silence.

"Like?" Fireball asks as he sits up to face her where she is leaning against a desk in the center of the room. "This isn't some hobby or game, we're talking about. Just one little mistake and it's game over!" he replies seriously.

I suppose there's truth to that, maybe you're right. That was a stupid question. I'm sorry," Bella replies somberly.

"Is 'I'm sorry' all that you can say?" Fireball asks.

"Don't be rude!" Bella replies tossing him an apple. "Say, do you have a girlfriend?" she asks hesitantly.

"Ahh, no, I don't have a girlfriend," he slowly replies.

"Liar! I mean, come on, you're hot!" she retorts as she turns and walks towards the window.

"Ummm..ummm..." he stammers before she continues.

"You see, lately I've started having doubts about the things we're doing here. I'm not sure if we're really making the town a better place. I honestly think it would be better to have a family, no matter if you're rich or poor."

"Then, why don't you stop these guerrilla games?" he asks.

"Because the way people are being exploited makes me angry. People are forced to work long hours for minimal pay, we have no freedom, and half of our income is being confiscated by the tax collectors. True, the the town is growing, but us, its people are being ripped off! We want justice, independence and for this world to finally become an autonomous planet! Don't you understand?"

"I understand that people have the right to live as they choose. But currently, I'm more concerned that you might accidentally shoot me."

"Now you're starting to just like these government abetters," she grumbles.

Fireball sighs, "I get what you mean, but you are going about this wrong. You terrorize the people that you claim that you are trying to help. Destroying buildings and shooting soldiers. So in a way, you and your friends are no better than the Outriders that we are fighting."

"Outriders" she replies enraged, then sighs and speaks more quietly, "Well, iIf that's what you think about me..."

"Now wait a minute, I didn't say that!"

"I hate these friggin' aliens, too, you know," she goes to say more when they hear voices in the other room.

"All right, the outriders want it," Donna states simply while sitting at a table with the others in the next room.

Fireball starts walking towards the door to the room.

"Freeze!" Bella says pointing the gun at him.

Fireball signals for her to move to the door as well, placing a finger to his mouth so they can hear the conversation in the next room. Bella complies and they quietly lean against the door.

"Is the new protective shield they're developing that good?" one of the men asks.

"Their goal is to have a shield that covers the other planets just as well as they have Alamo," Donna replies.

"Then I understand why they want these data so bad," one of the others mumble.

"I have cut a deal with the Outriders. We're going to get them this new shield software that is currently being developed, and they promised us one million continentals in return," Donna states.

"Great, that will weaken the governmental forces and finance our cause. Sweet deal for us."

"So when do we attack the lab?" on of the others ask.

"I was just getting to that," Donna states with a hint of annoyance.

"Well, it sure looks like your comrades are doing business with the outriders that you hate so much," Fireball says quietly. "In other words, you are no better than the guys you're fighting."

"Hey!" Bella grumbles pointing the gun at him before releasing it and putting it back in his holster.

"Clever girl," Fireball says with a small smile. "Now, what?" he asks as she glances around.

"Now we better get lost, and fast," she says quietly as she leads him out the main door to her car and they take off.

"Perfect, he took the bait," one of the men states as they watch the couple leave from an upstairs window.

"Just as I planned," Donna says triumphantly as she watches the jeep speed off.

"Where is raceboy with the food? I'M HUNGRY!" Colt grumbles. "Hey April, did he check in with you?"

"No, he has not," April replies.

"Then, why don't you try contactin' him?" Colt asks.

"Okay," she replies and goes to hit the button to call him when it buzzes and Fireball's voice comes in over the com.

"April!" he says urgently.

"Ahh!" April screams in fright jumping back from the com.

"April, it's me! Do you copy?" he says once more.

"Shinji! She replies relieved. "You scared me! Where have you been? Did you get lost?" she inquires.

"April look, something urgent has come up! Here's the deal...: he says and starts telling her everything.

"An attack. On the laboratory?" Saber repeats hoping he's misheard, setting down the tools he had been using to work on Donatello.

"Shinji said, they're working together with the guerrillas in order to get their hands on the software for the new protective shield that is being developed there," April replies.

"Okay, let's go!" he replies as he and April head up from the cargo area.

"Hardly any sleep, unkempt hair, and now I even have to go fighting without proper breakfast," Colt complains.

"Get over it," Saber replies as he hops into Fireball's saddle unit and fires up the Bismarck and takes off.

"Thank you very much for the warning," the head of the laboratory says to the group before him as Colt goes and stares out the window. "If you want some coffee, just press the button in front of you," he adds with a gentle smile behind his bushy graying mustache and small round glasses.

"Sure. Just what I need right now," Fireball replies as he eagerly presses the button indicated and a cup of coffee appears from inside the table. He takes it and sips it before posing his next question. "If I may ask, how far are you with the development of the new shield software, professor?"

"Well, the shield itself is finished and the software for it is being beta-tested as we speak. The only thing still keeping us busy is the financing."

"The Outriders must be shaking in their boots!" Colt states as he turns back to the conversation and the group seated at the table. "When the shield goes online, the war is as good as over."

"Please keep in mind, the shields main intention is defending us against meteors and ultraviolet radiation, not alien invasions. It's got nothing to do with the Outrider war at all," the professor states.

"I'd love to have a look at it," Bella says quietly.

"Me too," Fireball agrees.

"I suppose I could give you a tour," the professor says as he stands up, the others after him. He leads them to the main laboratory to begin the tour.

"She is really pretty, isn't she?" April asks Fireball as they follow the professor.

"What?" he replies confused.

"I really hope for your sake, that she isn't an Outrider," she states.

"April!" he stammers unsure of what else to say.

They walk the rest of the way in silence stopping at a checkpoint where the professor hands the guard his badge and after scanning it and verifying it, he is allowed to lead the group through. Upon entering the see a spectacle of lights swarming and dancing around a central spherical is one cool light show," Colt quips.

"Incredible! I'm guessing this takes up a lot of energy," Fireball states as he watches with keen interest.

"Yes, but the new software we've developed solves this problem," the professor replies as he walks over to the machine and hits a few buttons, before removing a palm-sized computer chip. That ceases the light show and he and turns to show it to the group. "The new shield software needed to protect us all, is entirely on this marvelous little chip."

"Something that small can protect a whole planet?" Fireball asks in disbelief.

"We're going to have a huge problem, should the outriders get their hands on this," Colt mutters.

"Indeed," Saber agrees with a nod.

"I say we stay awhile in order to make sure nothing happens here," Fireball says.

"A good plan," the professor replies in agreement. "We've prepared everything for your convenience. Please follow me," he says as he leads them out of the laboratory.

Sometime later, Fireball, April, and Colt are sitting in a living room area of their quarters talking when Fireball stands up and starts talking loudly, "No, she really hates the outriders!" he says . Believe me, I know,before taking a breath to try and calm himself. "I can see it! She's not one of them!"

"Calm down, will ya? Colt says while holding his hands up defensively. "Since when do you know girls? Don't take it personally, but we ought to be careful," he states with a hint of amusement.

"But, that's got nothing to do with..." Fireball starts to say when Bella walks in accompanied by Saber, both of them carrying bags of groceries.

"Hey guys, look what we got here!" Bella says enthusiastically.

"Bella wants to cook for us tonight," Saber states as he comes up behind her.

"Well, hello there," Fireball says in way of greeting as he walks over to where she and Saber are.

"They've got real foodstuffs in these Labs?" Colt asks with a mix of surprise and happiness.

"Don't expect too much from my cooking skills; I'm not quite the best cook in town," she says humbly.

"Aw, who cares. I'll eat everything if it was prepared by a beautiful girl," Colt says flashing her a flirtatious smile.

"I see, I've got to look out for you, don't I?" Bella asks with a grin.

April sits back quietly watching the entire scene her suspicion bubbling.

Later, she is in the kitchen assisting with the cooking when she finally decides to try and talk to the girl, "Listen, Bella," April begins as she works on chopping up some vegetables.

"Yes, April?" she replies.

"What are you intending to do from now on?" she asks trying to make conversation.

"Well, I'll marry Fireball and start a family," Bella replies simply as she continues her prepping of the food.

"What?!" April asks in disbelief, stopping what she was doing to look at the girl.

Bella chuckles at her reaction, "It as just a joke," she says defensively. "I did ask him though whether he had a girlfriend. And he said..."

"He said what?" she asks almost afraid of the reply.

"He said he did not have anyone, but I do have my doubts... I think you're his girlfriend, April," she states and chuckles at April's reaction. "You're actually blushing," she says with a grin before she winces in pain.

"Are you all right?" April asks concerned.

"I cut myself," she replies as she holds up her finger to inspect it.

"Oh dear, you're bleeding," April says after looking at her finger.

"It's not that bad. Don't worry," Bella says trying to make light of it.

"APRIL!" Fireball calls urgently.

"What's going on?" April asks as her three crew members come running up to the pair.

"We've received an emergency call from the gas factory," Fireball says. "Will you catch up with Ramrod?" he asks.

"Of course, I'm right behind you," she replies and the other three run on ahead. She removes her apron and hands it to Bella, "Excuse us, Bella." She then turns and runs out of the apartment after the others.

Bella walks over to a large window in the common area of the apartment and watches the Bismark crew head into the fight. Once she sees the battle begin, she calmly walks over and picks up the phone and dials a number. "Yeah, hi Donna. It's me, Bella. All clear," she says before hanging up the phone.

"The factory is just ahead," Fireball states as they head towards the fighting and start shooting the enemy fighters.

"What the hell?" one of the Outriders says looking around wildly.

"Time for you to leave us," Saber says as he slices the ship and it explodes. He does the same with several other fighters, making some headway on the numbers.

"Try this on, Outrider scum!" Fireball says as he spins his Red Fury in circles and fires at the Outriders, blowing up several ships.

"You want to visit Mr. Hikari?" the guard asks hesitantly.

Donna nods, "Yes, he's one of the Star Sheriffs."

"Well, I'm sorry but right now he isn-"

"Donna!" Bella calls as she heads for the gate.

"Bella!" she replies and waves in greeting.

"Shinji isn't here right now. But you could wait inside," she says pulling her friend through the gate.

'Great,' she replies and stops and hands the guard the flowers she was carrying. "Here, for you, sweetheart."

"What, for me?" he asks bewildered.

"Sure! See you soon!" she says with a smile and runs off with Bella.

"Hot damn, why didn't you ask for her phone number?" another guard asks as he approaches his comrade. "Man, they look cute, both of them!"

"… and Fireball said..." Bella says telling her everything that had transpired as they walk.

"Good work," Donna replies.

"Oh yes, just as planned," Bella replies halfheartedly.

"No honestly. You did good," Donna says reassuringly. "Posing as a lowly member of the rebels, and without any advance preparation. Congratulations," she says.

"Yeah, but unfortunately we got innocent people involved."

"Well, that can't always be avoided. Our comrades come first," she states matter-of-factly as the pair walk towards the lab.

"Bella, you cannot enter here," the professor states when sees her. "And who is your friend?" he asks politely.

"Oh, I'm just a friend of Bella's... Here, for you!" Donna says stepping between Bella and the professor and pulling out a gun and pressing it against his chest.

"You...The two of you are..." he stammers in shock.

"Just shut up! And get us to the labs, now!" she snaps. He leads them to the more secured lab area and he starts to speak and she presses the gun a bit firmer against him. "Do not make the slightest sound, or your grandchildren will grow up without their grandpa!"

They arrive at the entrance to lab and the professor hands the guard his badge. The guard takes it and scans it when the professor makes to say something, only to have the gun jammed into his back.

"Dr. Kaiser?" the guard asks as he turns back to him.

"Ah, nothing important," he mutters quickly and the guard waves them through. Once they reach the machine, Dr. Kaiser moves slowly and asks as he removes the chip from the machine, "Are the two of you outriders?"

"Shut up and do as we say!" Donna snaps as she turns him around.

"Wait, please!" Dr. Kaplan yells.

"Damn!" the guard says as he turns around and fires a shot, missing both women, but getting shot in the shoulder when Donna fires back.

"Time to go, Bella," Donna says calmly as she tosses a smoke bomb engulfing the room.

"April, get ready," Fireball calls over the com-link.

"We're good to go," she replies as the three make their way back to the ship.

"On our way!" Saber and Colt reply as they arrive on the ship.

Hopping into their saddle units Fireball hits the button to start the transformation and they go into challenge phase. "And here we go!" Fireball calls out. "Damn it!" he says as they take a hit. They fire back and each land more hits.

"Bismarck, please respond!" Dr. Kaiser calls out over the com-link.

"This is Bismarck, go ahead," Fireball replies.

"The new shield software has been stolen by Bella and another woman," Dr. Kaiser replies.

"Bella?" Fireball says in shock as Colt fires a hit at the enemy renegade they are fighting.

"What? No!" the other three say in shock.

"You should know, that the software is transmitting signals at a special frequency," Dr. Kaiser states.

"Copy that!" Saber replies as Fireball takes off in the Red Fury. "Fireball, get ready! I've found the frequency, it's ten kilometers south-east of this point heading south," Saber replies before the unit is hit. "Ugh. We've got to end this. Colt, let's go," Saber says as he works to right the unit and get out from underneath the enemy unit.

Bella and Donna pull up in a valley near a cave, stopping and getting out and looking around nervously.

"Well, have you got it?" an Outrider asks as he comes out from behind a large cluster of rocks.

"Where are our comrades?" Bella asks forcefully.

"You'll get to see them, as soon as we confirmed you brought us the real deal."

"That's not how this is going down. Either you hand them over right now, or the deal is off. Let's go!" Bella says to Donna and turns towards the jeep.

The Outriders opens fire at the two women, knocking them both to the ground. "You might just as well thank me, you'll see your friends again... in Hell!" the Outrider says with a chuckle as he comes down and takes the disk from Bella's hand.

"You lying, cheating scumbags!" Bella says weakly.

"Oh, and you humans are so much better than us!" the Outrider says as he prepares to fire again when he hears someone approaching. "Shit!" he swears when he sees Fireball who shoots him, causing him to hit the rocks knocking him out.

"Donna, Bella, hang in there!" Fireball calls out as he stops the Fury and jumps out, heading for the women. He stops and picks up the disk before heading to where Donna and Bella lay, "Don't give up!" he says as he kneels down. Donna doesn't move and he hears Bella stir and moves over to her. "Bella, don't give up," he says kindly.

"Are you a member of the Bismarck team?" she asks weakly.

"Yes," he replies.

"Then you know Shinji."

"Yes."

"When you see him, please tell him..."

"What?"

"I'm sorry," she whispers as she takes her final breath.

"Bella, BELLA!" he cries. A shot is fired and he turns to see the Outrider he had knocked out ready to fire at him again. His anger gets the best of him and he charges him. "Bastards! You murderer!" he says through anger and tears, punching the attacker repeatedly, harder and harder with each swing. "You damn outriders, this is our planet, we humans settled here, and you're just trying to take it from us without any reason! But I'm not going to let you, you damn murderers! Go to Hell!" he swings once more landing the final blow.

"Fireball is back!" April calls after Saber recovers from the hit from the renegade.

"Good, let's finish this," Saber says as Fireball returns to his unit and Saber to his.

"Oh I will, trust me!" Fireball replies as he grabs the unit into a bear hug and fires the chest cannon, shorting it out. "Now, Colt!" he calls as he releases the unit and backs up.

"And, good night to you!" Colt calls as he fires everything they have at the renegade, causing it to explode and disintegrate.

"April?" Fireball asks hesitantly after the battle is done.

"Yes, Shinji?"

"You and Bella were cooking, so, you want to tell us what's on the menu tonight?"

"Well, I'm sure it's charcoal by now, but I can prepare anything you like if you ask nicely," she replies with a smile.

"Great. Then I'd like Sukiyaki, please."

"Sukiyaki... Darn, I've no idea how to do that!"

"Well, I could help you then..."

"Okay."

"Hey, wait a second. I'd like to have a say in the menu, too!" Colt grumbles.

"Colt, tonight it's Fireball's choice," Saber says simply.

"Well then, let's ride home!" Fireball says and they take off back towards the laboratory.

A/N: So sorry for taking so long. This is one of the "Lost Episodes" So it was never shown in America. Translation took a while. I plan on doing all five of them eventually. Please let me know what you think. I hope to have another chapter done in the next couple of weeks.