Laro's Plan

It was a quiet day in the Celic camp. Every one of the magenta haired, violet-eyed crew had gotten up with the sun, and began to do their chores. For the past ten years they had lived here in the mountains, and the routine was familiar to all.

Princess Laro, the youngest of the royal triplets, was sitting at a stream, fishing. She was a striking woman of 49 years, who tied her long hair in a ponytail with a white cloth. Her dress was orchid with a white border on the ends of her sleeves and collar, and her shoes were white heels. Adorning her head was a red jewel that magically attracted a pair of golden marbles and purple sticks.

"If only we'd done things peacefully, then we wouldn't be stuck in these mountains," said the princess. She was no doubt referring to their encounter with The Blitz Team ten years ago—which she still knew next to nothing about.

Laro heard footsteps approaching her. She turned around to see her sister Maro, the eldest of the royal triplets. Maro was less prim and proper than her younger sibling, as she wore a black tank top with gray shorts that reached down to her knees. Instead of shoes, she wore sandals, and her magenta hair was cut short. Like Laro, she had on that strange headpiece.

"I know what you're thinking," commented Maro, "'If we'd only done things peacefully.' Don't blame yourself sis, Uncle didn't quite understand his orders."

"But…" replied Laro.

Maro continued, "I know how you feel. When we left Zi for the first time and returned to Celine, I left behind a husband and three-year-old son as well. I've just never said anything because I'm not causing any grief to their loved ones, should they be abducted."

"I agree with Laro, Uncle should've talked to her before taking Leena by force. I'm sure the girl would've listened to us, and then we could've found the whereabouts of her brother as well," said a male voice from behind them.

The girls turned to see Jaro, the final royal triplet. His short hair was slightly spiked, and he had on a sky blue shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers. On the back of his belt was a pair of long sticks with a metal covering at the end and a ruby on each tip. A similar ornament attached to a headband adorned his head, and he had a metal covering for his nose.

"Jaro," replied Maro, "Did you come to fetch us?"

Jaro answered, "Yes, a strange man has asked to meet with the heads of the crew. Uncle Noramia wants us to come.

* * *

Back at camp, Lieutenant Alerina Molel, a tall young woman who wore her long hair down and the Royal Celic Army (RCA) uniform complete with the stick headpiece worn by the princesses, was entertaining a familiar man named Dr. Layon. She was quite surprised to hear him ask for Raman out of all the delicacies they had. "It's what I'm used to," replied Layon.

In came Captain Noramia Relexi. He was a medium built man who wore his hair down to his neck. Like Molel, he was wearing his RCA uniform complete with a cap to protect his balding head. The Captain also had on the same head and belt ornaments as the prince. At his back came the royal family.

Layon took one look at Laro, and his heart began to pound. He was reminded of a time of love and loss from his youth. "She looks just like my dear sweet Lyla," he whispered to himself.

Laro noticed the funny look in Layon's eye. She turned to Maro, and whispered something in her ear. Both sisters sat down with their brother, and the meeting began.

"What exactly is it that you and your organization want with us?" asked Relexi.

Layon replied, "Technology. My organization, The Backdraft Group, was completely destroyed eleven years ago, and we've only just rebuilt our base of power and gained a sufficient amount of Zoids. But our technology is still the same, while our rivals and enemies have most likely made advances. So we're looking for something they've never seen before."

"Tell me something Layon," said Laro, "What exactly are you going to do with it?"

"We're taking over the ZBC, and setting up unsanctioned battles without rules and regulations," he answered.

Maro asked, "Is that all you want?"

"That's all I was sent for," replied Layon, "But I do have another request. I want the hand in marriage to this beautiful woman." He pointed directly at Laro.

"That's absurd, her highness is not going to marry a brute like you. And we're not giving our technology to some organization that'll use it for their own selfish gains," said Relexi. He then put himself between Layon and his niece.

Layon replied, "You'll be given until the end of the week to comply. If you don't…The Backdraft Group will destroy your whole colony. Good day to you." Then, he left.

* * *

Later that night, Relexi was sitting alone in his quarters. On his desk stood a picture of his sister, the late Celic queen. "Misena, I'll never allow your child to be harmed by that ruffian," he told it.

A knock at the door interrupted his reverie. Relexi said, "Come on in."

In came Laro. She looked at him, and said, "Uncle, I…I have an idea for how to deal with this."

Relexi smiled. "What is it?" he asked.

"I talked to some members of the crew who lived on Zi eleven years ago," she replied, "I think we can get the ship to fly now, so we should seek out the aid of the team that pulverized the Backdraft in the first place. I'm sure they'll help."

"Now who would that be?" asked Relexi.

Laro replied, "Some team called The Blitz Team. A few people said they won the Royal Cup eleven years ago, and one of their Zoids beat the terror known as the Berserk Fury. I also heard that they've never lost a battle since they dueled the Lightning Team, and they even beat that team in a rematch at the Royal Cup."

At those words, Relexi went pale. He was one of the few who knew what had really happened ten years ago. Facing The Blitz Team again wasn't exactly his idea of fun. But since it was their only hope, he said, "Then we leave at daybreak."

- - - -

Here's the sequel you've all been waiting for. The ironies begin already, more in later chapters. Laro doesn't know about The Blitz Team because she only knows there was a few battles, not who they were against. And I was trying to describe the headpieces worn by Leena and Jack (trying is the key word people). They're of alien origin, but why do those two wear them? Next chapter features a familiar face, and someone we were briefly introduced to in the first story.