Chapter 18: Cloverleaf
Alarms begin blaring and a man clad in gray and black curses under his breath as he attempts to evade capture. Searching desperately, he tries to find a way out, ducking into darkened alleys as he struggles to keep from being seen.
"Over there!" A soldier in Federation uniform calls out as he points towards the area the man just ducked into. "He's got the plans for the Bismarck project, we can't let him escape!"
He continues running until a searchlight hits him and several soldiers open fire. "Damn," he mutters as he fires back while attempting to avoid being hit. He looks for an escape point and sees his only chance is straight up. "I've got to get up that wall," he thinks to himself as he is looking around wildly, and exchanging fire with the approaching soldiers. He hits the ignition for his jet pack and launches upward. The pack is hit by gunfire and it sputters and cuts out just at the top of the wall and he manages to grab a hold of the top edge of the wall. "Just a few more centimeters," he says with gritted teeth as he struggles to pull himself up the remaining bit while shots are fired in his direction. With a surge of adrenaline he pulls himself upward and over the wall. Rushing across the roof, he hops into his waiting fighter and takes off.
"After him!" one of the commanding soldiers call and several fighters are launched to pursue the enemy soldier. They start firing at him and he begins firing back, causing some losses to their side.
He finally breaks off and seems to break free of his pursuers when he is hit by a shot from behind. "Damn," he mutters and changes course in an attempt to lose her pursuer. He makes a bit of headway when his ship is hit and takes heavy damage, causing it to crash in a ball of flame.
"This is fighter seven," the federation pilot calls over the com-link. "I got the intruder. No way he survived that. I'm returning to base, out," he says as he pulls back and returns to base.
"I'm glad they didn't call us back when that guy got onto base," Colt says as he lays back in a field of grass and wildflowers.
Fireball nods in agreement as he lays back on his elbows not far from him as they both watch April who seems to be happily focused on something. "Yeah, so am I. It's good to know that we don't have to help with every little thing," he replies lazily.
"We need this break. Look at April, begging us to have a picnic. She's got spring fever. She's tired of being cooped up in the ship all the time. Now that she's got us out here, she's been busy working on some sort of flower thing. Any minute now she's gonna turn around and call out 'Shinji! Look what I've made.' and then she's gonna want you to wear it, brother. She's got it bad for ya," he adds with a chuckle.
"You're full of it, cowboy," Fireball retorts.
"Oh yeah?" Colt replies looking smug as he sits up. "Watch this," he says indicating April, who has just stood up and turned towards them.
"Shinji!" she calls smiling, holding up a ring of green. "Look what I've made," she says happily as she heads for the pair.
"You're psychic," Fireball says to Colt, dumbfounded.
"Nah. I just know more 'bout women than you."
"What did you make, April?" Fireball asks as she arrives.
"A ring of four leafed clovers," she says placing it on her head.
"Better watch out," Colt mutters. "Don't you know those things mess with your head?" Colt asks.
"Yeah, supposedly they make the wearer fall in love," Fireball adds.
April removes it from her head, "So that's how it is?" she asks and then grins before tossing it in Colt's direction. "I figure you could use the help more than I can."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Colt asks obviously offended.
Fireball struggles not to laugh as April grins before turning and skipping off across the meadow.
"That girl is just crazy," Colt grumbles as Fireball chuckles and lays back, his hands behind his head.
"She is something, that's for sure," Fireball agrees. "She's well out of your league, cowboy," Fireball says, amused by Colt's reaction. "I wonder what Saber is up to? He's been gone all day," he asks aloud, trying to change the direction of conversation.
"I'm not sure, but I saw him talking with some woman that had a little girl with her out that a ways", he replies waving his hand off behind him before adding, "Then he, the woman, and girl headed off."
"Wonder what that was about?"
"I think maybe he is affected like April. You know a case of spring fever. The woman was good lookin' and he is a man," Colt says with a grin.
Fireball groans and sighs, stretching out comfortably, unsure of how to comment.
Saber is perched down amongst a field of wildflowers jotting down something in a journal as he examines the flowers. Nearby, a young woman is sitting underneath a tree watching a young girl playing and occasionally stealing a glance his direction.
"Look Ms. Sincia, I made a crown of flowers," the little girl says smiling proudly as she places the ring of flowers on her head.
"It looks very pretty, Sara," Sincia replies with a smile and laughter. She watches the girl dancing happily when she sees a snake appear behind the girl preparing to strike. "Look out!" she calls as she launches towards the girl, scooping her up and trying to move away from the snake. "Richard!" she cries as she rolls with the child cradled against her.
Saber rushes towards them, managing to stab the snake's head with his sword before it can reach Sincia or the little girl. "Are you all right?" he asks kindly as Sincia sits up, still cradling the small girl in her arms.
"Aye, thank you. I'm glad you were here to save us," Sincia says quietly.
"As am, perhaps I should take you home, there might be more snakes around here," Saber replies, obviously concerned.
Sincia nods, "Aye," she replies taking his offered hand.
April is kneeling at a stream splashing water in her hands and singing to herself when she feels as if someone is watching her. She stops and turns, seeing no one she calls out, "Is someone there?"
Suddenly, an Outrider appears from behind a hill and lunges for her and she screams in surprise.
"April!" both Fireball and Colt say when they hear her scream. They jump up and rush towards her.
"Let go of me!" she yells as he grabs her and attempts to force her to the ground.
"Shinji!" April says weakly while struggling to break free when the Outrider strikes her, knocking her off balance and pins her to the ground; he places his hands around her neck and is attempting to shove her head underwater.
"Release her now!" Colt calls as he fires a warning shot, barely missing the Outrider.
"Shit!" the Outrider mumbles as he releases April, turning towards the source of the shot.
She wriggles out from under him and runs towards her rescuers as the Outrider turns to run and Colt hits him twice more, causing him to stumble and drop.
Colt is on him before he can stand again, blaster pointed towards the enemy's head. "Give me one good reason not to blow your brains out and leave you nothing but a puddle."
"Colt, no!" Fireball says, holding up a hand to stop him.
Colt doesn't pull the trigger, but keeps the gun at the Outrider's head.
"We should capture him and take him in for questioning," Fireball reasons.
The Outriders sees a chance goes to make a break for it when Colt hits him with the butt of his gun, dropping him to the ground, and causing a shaft of electronics to show from under the suit.
"Maybe he's the spy that was on the base," Fireball states and Colt makes to put his gun away.
"I still say I should have shot him," Colt says as they stare at the crumpled Outrider.
"Sir, what should we do with what's left of the fighter?" an Outrider soldier asks his superior.
"Make sure to find any piece that could be used to get our technology. We don't want the humans to be able to use this," his superior replies. "Where is Calibos? If that idiot has been captured, Nemesis is going to kill us all for his failure," he thinks to himself as the other soldiers work on clearing the crash site.
The Outrider is cuffed at wrists and feet to a chair in a dark room. Suddenly a spotlight is turned on and a gun pointed at his head. Flinching from the light, he turns his face away.
"Are you the spy that escaped the base?" an older man wearing a commander's uniform asks forcefully. "How many of you are there? What have you done with the information you stole?"
The Outrider laughs. "Why should I tell you anything? I'm dead either way. Nemesis does not allow captives to return."
"You will tell us what you've done with the information," the commander says pulling a gun and placing against the spy's head.
"Wait, sir," Saber interjects. "We know that he's not had time to send the information. He may yet prove useful to us. If there are others nearby, he could lead us to them, we may yet be able to keep the information from them."
The Outrider chuckles and turns his head away in defiance. "I won't give up anyone."
"Surely someone is looking for him. Maybe that is how we can find out where they are hiding," Fireball muses as they walk away from the interrogation room.
"If they are nearby, we'll find them. The civilians could be in danger with them hanging about," the commander states.
"Yeah, if there are Outriders hanging around, that could spell trouble for the locals. They might hoping to snag a few hostages-" Colt is saying when the commander clears his throat, indicating to cease the line of conversation, nodding towards the woman sitting in wait not far from them.
"Ah, commander, I was hoping to speak to you," Sincia says standing up in greeting.
"What can I do for you, Miss Sincia?" the commander asks.
"I heard that you captured a spy nearby and I...I came to make sure the children in my care are safe," she replies. "This has them frightened."
"Well, honestly there is a chance there are more Outriders nearby, but I don't think they will bother you or the children. Perhaps there is something we can do to assure them they are safe," the commander says, touching his beard with his fingers in thought.
"Children?" Fireball asks.
"Yes, Miss Sincia is a local school teacher. Most of the children she teaches live with her, as their parents are off fighting," the commander states.
"So you want some way to reassure them?" he asks.
"Perhaps we could send someone to talk with them. I was thinking that maybe all of you could go and visit the children," the commander replies. "Take them some gifts and play with them a little, maybe that would help put them at ease, while also allowing them some protection."
"What do you think, Saber?" Fireball asks casting a glance in his direction.
"Oh, please say you will. It would mean so much to the children," Sincia says sweetly, her voice full of hope.
"Oh, yes, please let's go see the children," Colt says with a grin. "I'm sure seeing her again would be a nice bonus for you," he mutters pointedly at Saber.
"That is quite enough, Colt," Saber replies quietly, a hint of warning in his voice.
"Of course he'd do it for the children. You know he can't wait to have a slew of kiddos of his own," Colt adds, obviously amused at Saber's discomfort.
"Thank you. The children are going to be so excited," Sincia replies happily.
"Why don't you ride back with us in the Bismarck?" Colt asks.
"In the Bismarck?" Sincia says in disbelief.
"We can get some gifts for the kids and give you two time to talk." Colt says as Saber pointedly looks straight ahead, remaining silent.
A couple of hours later, they arrive at the school. The children looking out awestruck at the huge ship as it sets down in a field not far from them.
"It's so big!" one boy says.
"Are you sure Miss Sincia is on there?" another child asks.
"That's what I heard."
"I wonder if they'll let us on there?"
The children all rush out the front door just as it settles in and the ramp lowers. Sincia comes rushing down first. "Sara, Nikki, Tommy, Jimmy!" she calls out as she meets the children, picking up Sara looking over the others. "We have some special guests so I expect you to all be on your best behavior."
"Where do you want us to take these?" Fireball asks as they come down the ramp carrying gifts. "Hello, I think I may have something for a few of you," he adds cheerfully as the children swarm up to them and they start passing out the gifts.
A short time later, they are all gathered in the fields and Colt is readying to do a demonstration for them. A hush falls over the group as he takes a breath and then turns and fires, knocking a glass bottle from a post into the air, then firing behind him, hitting it and shattering it without looking.
"Wow!" one boy calls out.
"Awesome!" says another.
"How did you do that?" several children ask as they surround him to congratulate him on making the shots. They are all laughing and having a good time, Colt obviously enjoying the attention.
Saber and Sincia are sitting back from the group watching it quietly. "He seems to quite enjoy the attention he's getting," Saber says as they watch Colt with the children. "Although I'm glad I've been able to see you," he adds quietly.
Sincia smiles, "He does seem taken with them. I don't think much could top this day for them."
Saber is looking down studying the ground as she speaks when he spots a four-leaf clover. Reaching down, he plucks it and holds it up to examine it.
"Oh, a four-leaf clover," Sincia says.
"Aye. I've always kept them close when I find them," he says pulling out his journal. "It is said that they bring the bearer good luck in life and love." He places the clover in his journal and then closes it.
"So you have a new journal?" Sincia asks.
"I got a new one after I left my last one with you," he replies as he returns the journal to his inside jacket pocket.
"Do I get to read this one?" she asks with interest.
"Perhaps I'll give you this one another time," he says amused.
April and several of the girls are out walking along the edge of the fields when Sara and another girl run a little ahead. "Sara, Maya, don't get so far ahead. Stay close!" she calls as the girls skip along.
Suddenly three Outrider soldiers appear and grab the two girls and they scream in fright and struggle to get away.
"Sara! Maya!" April cries as she protectively grabs the two older girls that were closer to her. "Let them go!" she says forcefully to the soldiers.
"Have your Cavalry Command people return our man and we'll let these two go back to you unharmed. You have until sunset to bring him here or these two die in front of you," the soldier that appears to be the leader states.
"Please let us go! Help us!" the two cry as the soldiers turn and leave with them in their grasp.
"I couldn't do anything!" April cries frustrated and angry, plopping her head on the table. "We've got to save those girls," April says looking up and wiping away tears of frustration.
"You did right to protect the others, April," Saber states.
"I say we just pretend to hand Calibos over and blast those Outriders," Colt replies.
"Please do something quickly to get them back," Sincia says, her voice breaking slightly. "They shouldn't be in this situation."
"We will do everything we can to get those two back unharmed," Fireball states.
"Big sister, what are they saying in there?" a small boy says as he comes up to the eldest girl who is trying to listen through the door.
"Now, now, you know you shouldn't be here. They are making up a plan to get Sara and Maya back," the girl replies.
"Are they gonna be okay?"
"I'm sure they will," she replies brightly. "Come on, let's go and get a snack, okay?" she says as she takes the boy's hand and leads them off towards the kitchen.
"Yes, we have a plan of attack, but saving those two girls will be our priority," Saber states.
"I still say we just go in and blast 'em out," Colt mutters as he cleans his blaster.
"We can't afford the risk, Colt," Saber states. "The welfare and safety of those little ones are our main concern now."
"April, would you mind remaining here? Fireball asks. "We need someone here to guard Sincia and the children." "Sure," she replies.
"We should head back and pick up Calibos," Fireball states.
Colt and Saber nod in agreement and they return to the Bismarck and take off.
The group watches the ship leave through a window. April turns to talk to Sincia and notices that she is not among them. She turns towards one of the older girls, "Have you seen Miss Sincia?"
"No ma'am," she replies looking around the room for her.
April starts to feel a since of dread and quickly turns and starts looking through other rooms. "Sincia?" she calls as she opens one door, then another, only to find the rooms empty. She comes to the last room of the hall and opens the door, "Sincia?" she calls again. She is just about to leave when she sees movement outside the window. "Sincia?!" she says as she turns to go and stop the woman.
"We have to have Calibos!" Fireball says as he hits his hand down onto the commander's desk. "If we don't hand him over they're going to kill those little girls."
"I understand your frustration, gentlemen, but my hands are tied," the commander says as he stands up and turns to look out a window. "I must think about the lives that we can save by not returning him to the Outriders. Those numbers far exceed the two lives."
"So you are willing to sacrifice two innocent girls?" Saber asks struggling to keep his anger in check.
"Yes, in times of war, we must focus on the greater good," the commander replies, not bothering to turn to face him. "If Calibos truly has recollection enough to even pass on some useful information, it is worth sacrificing those two girls."
"Then you're as guilty as they are!" Colt says obviously angry.
"It is a choice that I must live with," the commander replies solemnly.
"I can't believe you can say that!" Fireball says, slamming his fist down once more on the desk.
"Commander, surely there is something that can be done," Saber adds. "As solders it is our duty to protect the innocents."
"I am sorry, but I see no other solution," he replies, still refusing to turn and face them, his hands clasped behind his back. "I don't like this any more than you, but I will not release the spy."
"Bullshit!" Colt growls. "If you refuse to do something, then I'll do it myself!" Colt says angrily before turning and running out of the room.
"Bill, wait!" Saber calls as he and Fireball rush out after him.
After the door shuts, the commander sighs and turns to his desk and picks up his phone. "Bring me the spy," he says into the phone.
"Damn it! I HATE this!" Colt says punching a wall. "How can they say they will let children die?" he says, his voice breaking slightly.
"I feel as you do," Saber says quietly, looking out a window. "I think they are keeping us here now because they are afraid we'd take actions they don't want us to take."
The doors open and the three turn to see several soldiers, guns aimed at Calibos. The three gasp in shock.
"We were told to deliver the spy to you, sir," the head soldier says looking towards Saber. "Whatever happens in on your head."
"I don't believe it," Colt mumbles.
"Sincia!" April calls as she struggles to run to catch up to her. "Sincia, please!" She finally reaches her and grabs her arm, "Wait! Don't do something stupid."
"I have to save the children. They are my responsibility," Sincia says, her voice breaking but her resolve clear on her face.
"It won't do any good to go alone and get yourself and them killed!" April replies.
"I'll trade myself for the children," she replies.
"Come back and wait for the others to come back please," April implores.
Sincia ceases her struggle to wrench from April's grasp and April turns to lead her back to the school when she is met by muzzle of a blaster. Several more soldiers appear, all with blasters aimed at the two women.
"What do you mean Sincia and April are not here?" Fireball asks.
"Um...um...Miss Sincia left to go and get the girls herself, and Miss April went after her. Neither one has come back yet," the eldest girl replies, obviously worried.
The spy laughs. "Looks like you have more lives to bargain for, and not muc-"
"If any of them are harmed, you are gonna wish we'd let the commander kill you," Colt says angrily, grabbing the spy by his shirt and shaking him. "I ave an issue with killing you, just because you look at me wrong, unlike some of my fellow teammates," he adds menacingly, causing the hostage to look a bit less cocky.
"Saber, Colt, let's take him and head out," Fireball states, trying to diffuse Colt's anger.
The sun is close to setting when the remaining crew of the Bismarck leave to take their hostage to the rendezvous point.
"Help us!" Maya cries as she and little Sara are strung with ropes around their waists and hanging over the edge of a cliff.
"Let us go!" cries Sara.
"Please, let the children down. Take me instead," Sincia pleads.
The Outrider chuckles, obviously amused.
"Just let the children go. You have me," April asks the apparent leader.
"Yes, having a member of the Bismarck team is quite a bonus, and I will keep my word and release you once we have Calibos," he replies with a smirk before gesturing to the two children. "We will leave all of you to the birds," he adds as he fires his blaster at one of the vulture-looking birds that swoops toward Sara, and she cries out in fright.
He goes to say more when one of his soldiers calls out, "Here they come, sir!"
"Let's go, you two," he says, nudging the two women with the barrel of his blaster. Turning to one of his subordinates he says, "Keep these two out of sight until I tell you."
"Yes sir!" the soldier replies as the leader and a few others take the children to the meeting point.
The two girls walk huddled together, obviously petrified, surrounded my Outriders.
"We have Calibos, just as you required," Fireball calls out.
"You release him first, then we'll set out the children," the Outrider calls back.
"Don't play us for fools. We know that you are also holding two women as well. Release all of them, and we shall send your man to you," Saber calls forcefully.
Calibos chuckles in amusement.
"You think this is funny. You won't say that when I kill you," Colt mutters, pointedly jabbing him in the back with the barrel of his blaster.
"Get the women," he says to one of the soldiers, who quickly returns with April and Sincia.
The small girls turn and hug the legs of the older women and Sincia picks up Sara and Maya clings close to April.
"Release Calibos and then we shall start the women and children walking slowly towards you," the Outrider calls.
"Remove the cuffs, Saber," Fireball says quietly.
Saber does so and Calibos stretches his arms and fingers, glad to be free of the cuffs. "Should any harm come to them, I will kill you, without hesitation," Saber says coldly, his blaster aimed at Calibos.
"Get moving," Colt says and shoves him forward with his blaster.
Calibos begins walking forward across an open field, towards the waiting Outriders.
"Go," States the Outrider leader to the April and Sincia, who grab the girls and being to steadily walk towards Saber, Fireball, and Colt, who are all three in position to fire at the smallest hint of betrayal.
Slowly they walk, pointedly facing strait ahead, their focus solely on reaching the Bismarck crew. All the while, trying to block out the armed Outriders with their guns aimed at them, just as the Bismarck crew have theirs aimed at Calibos. They have just met in passing and are continuing ahead when Claibos lunges towards Sincia and grabs Sara from her arms.
"Sara! No!" Sincia cries.
"Help me!" Sara cries as Calibos rushes towards the Outriders.
A shot is fired and Calibos is hit in the chest, killing him. He drops Sara and disintegrates as he hits the ground. Sara screams in fright and Sincia rushes over and grabs her before making a mad dash towards cover, April slightly ahead of her, dragging Maya in her wake.
Saber, Fireball and Colt rush towards them, attempting to give them time to escape, a firefight going on around them.
April, Sincia and the two girls a nearly at their destination when Sincia trips and falls to the ground, releasing a cry of fright and pain.
"Sincia?!" April calls back and turns quickly to try and get to her, still dragging Maya behind her.
"Sincia!" Saber calls at nearly the same time as April, turning towards them, while still fighting.
"Take Sara and Maya, run," Sincia says.
April reaches for Sara just as Saber calls to her. "April, take the girls and get to cover. I'll get Sincia," he hollers across to her as he fights to make his way to where they are.
April nods and quickly grabs Sara and Maya before dashing towards some semblance of cover.
Sincia sits up and starts to stand when an Outrider appears and points a blaster at her. She stares up wide-eyed in fright, frozen in fear.
Saber arrives and places himself between the Outrider and her before killing him. He then helps her stand, "Are you all right?" he asks quietly as he drapes her arm around his neck.
"I am now, thank you," she replies quietly.
Suddenly the ground begins to shake and a huge renegade unit comes up from below the earth. It is taller than the nearby cliffs and made of some sort of clear material that is stronger than glass. It is vaguely humanoid in shape, with red armor protecting it's torso, chest and face. Large green antennae jet out from the helmet, and from its back it has green metallic wings, it has boots made of similar armor to its chest and torso. On it's hands it has protective metal gloves.
"Renegade unit!" Fireball calls out just as it reaches out and fires a laser towards him and Colt, causing the two to dodge the beam and head to their vehicles.
The unit then turns its focus to where Saber and Sincia are standing and reaches towards them.
"Run!" Saber says urgently as he grabs Sincia's hand and they take off in the opposite direction. They get just a few feet before the renegade grabs Sincia from his grasp, knocking him to the ground. "Sincia!" he yells as she screams in fear. "Donatello!" he calls and the horse rushes to him and he takes off towards the enemy unit.
Colt is just ahead of him and starts firing towards the chest of the renegade, the shot inflicts little to no damage, but it causes the unit to drop Sincia and she begins to quickly fall towards the ground.
"Sincia!" Saber calls and turns to catch her, forcing Donatello down as fast he he can. He is just about to her when the renegade fires, hitting Donatello, causing it to falter. Saber manages to keep him upright long enough to grab Sincia and pull her against him as they crash and are both tossed from the mechanical horse. He rolls the two of them several feet before he manages to stop them.
"Saber!" Fireball calls out.
"Fireball, cover us!" he replies.
"Okay!" he says and starts firing at the enemy unit.
Colt comes from another direction to further distract the unit, firing several times.
The unit flips in the air to avoid the worst of their attacks but Fireball keeps pressing, firing almost continuously.
"Hey race-boy, I think I saw something when that thing did it's little acrobat trick. See if you can get it to lift its foot up for me to go in," Colt says as he circles around the unit in his Bronco Buster.
"On it!" Fireball replies as he starts firing numerous missiles at the units feet while dodging the lasers.
Meanwhile, Saber is protecting Sincia and April the children. Colt sees his chance as the unit goes to stomp Fireball's Red Fury and he heads up into the leg of the renegade.
"I think if we both fire at this thing, me from the inside, you from the out, we might just kill it," Colt says.
"Let's do it!" Fireball says and starts firing in rapind succession at all parts of the unit.
Colt heads towards the center of the unit and fires several shots.
The renegade reaches up and grabs its head and explodes, shattering into innumerable pieces, and glass shards rain down.
Saber picks up Sincia and Fireball heads over to them, hopping out to see about them just as April returns from where she and the children were hiding. They all stand in silence for a minute before heading back to the school.
A couple hours later, Fireball, Colt and April are on the porch, saying their good-byes to the children.
"It's been fun visiting with all ya'll. Maybe one day I'll have some kids as brave as you," Colt says with a grin as he pats a couple of the kids on their heads.
Fireball is saying his farewells when he notices Saber's absence. "Where's Saber?" he asks, looking to April.
"He's saying his good-byes to a certain teacher," she says with a grin and pointing back into the house.
"I'm afraid I must be going, Sincia. But I am glad that you are safe now," Saber states quietly as he sits in a chair beside her bed.
"So soon?" she asks, with an edge of disappointment in her voice.
"Aye," Saber replies with a sigh. "Unfortunately, we must return to Cavalry Command. There are others in need of our assistance. I am glad that I was able to come to your aid when you needed it."
"But...I...I was hoping that maybe at least that you could sta-" she starts to say.
"It very well could have been our presence that brought you this trouble," Saber interjects as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his journal and hands it to her. "I could not bear it should something happen to you," he adds quietly.
"Richard..." she mumbles as she takes it and he stands up and heads to the door.
"So as much as I would like to come and visit you again," Saber says, stopping in the doorway, and turning slightly back towards the room. "I am afraid it would endanger you and the children, so I most likely won't see you again until you return home. Good-bye, Love," he says nodding slightly before leaving and closing the door behind him. With a firm resolve he heads out the door to join the others.
"Richard..." Sincia says to the closed door, near tears. She takes the journal and opens it to the last entry, with it, the clove he had found in the fields and reads it:
My Love,
I am glad that I got the chance to see you. I will keep your face in my mind, your dark hair and your eyes. You are in my thoughts, and I am glad to leave you this four-leaf clover, a symbol of our love. I hope we can see each other soon.
To you, Sincia, with much love,
Richard.
The four crew members load up and giving one last wave, enter the ship and take off towards Cavalry Command.
A/N: I can't believe this one took so long. Between net problems, work, and a five-year-old, it's been hectic. I swear I'll try and not be so long between posts, if anyone truly wishes for me to continue. Thanks for those of you that are reading!
