A/N- This is kind of a sequal to Scouting Mission. But you dont really have to have read that one to understand this.
Disclaimer- I dont own Hot Wheels Battle Force 5.
Vert stood at the end of the infirmary bed looking stern.
"Zoom, I need to talk to you about your Chopper. Now don't take this the wrong way, because I know you're not a kid, but I think we need to consider a different form of transport for you"
Zoom just stared at him.
Vert waited a moment and then continued, "You're over exposed on the Chopper and it's more dangerous for you when you get hit. And if something happens like this again, you might not be able to ride home."
Zoom finally exploded
"What? You don't even know what happened out there! I got a battle key didn't I?" Zoom said, then cut off as his over exertion pulled at his ribs. He sat back abruptly, breathing shallowly.
"Zoom, just calm down" Agura said soothingly, placing an arm on Zoom's shoulder
"No!" Zoom winced and shook her off. "You are both treating me like some kid who doesn't know any better. But the truth is we need the Chopper! Who would do stealth missions? And name another vehicle that's faster and more manoeuvrable than the Chopper"
The rest of the team exchanged glances, the annoying kind which shows they were talking about this already and that you are reacting exactly as they predicted you would
"Just stop it!" Zoom raged, holding his ribs for support. They were aching and burning but he didn't care. He needed to get his point across. "all of you! Just because you are older, it doesn't mean you get to tell me what to ride. I just went through hell and got a battle key as well as recon for an uncharted battle zone, which I couldn't have done without the Chopper, and you have the nerve to say that I shouldn't ride it anymore! Thats-"
He cut off, squeezing his eyes shut as he breathed too deep. Coughing and spluttering, he tried to gain control of the situation.
"Its—"Cough gasp "You're—Never—" Cough Cough
"Okay Zoom, it's alright. We can talk about it later" Vert soothed, reaching down and squeezing his leg reassuringly.
Zoom flinched when his hand came into contact with his bruises.
Vert's eyes darkened "But know this Zoom, we aren't ganging up on you. I am the leader and I know what's best for you and the team. Everyone else just happens to agree with me" he finished smugly and led the way out of the infirmary.
Zoom collapsed back into his pillow as everyone left without a word. He tried to reassure himself that they wouldn't take away his Chopper. They were just worked up and worried about his wellbeing. As soon as he was better, they would realise that they wouldn't be able to go on missions without a recon vehicle.
He brought his bandaged arm up to rest on his forehead. It sure had been a rough mission.
He remembered taking his Chopper on a solo mission to an uncharted world. Check out the terrain; get a gauge on the weather. Report back within the hour. That was all. Simple enough. However, by some form of bizarre chance he had ran into the Vandals, and ended up having to sneak out of the planet before he got caught. Unfortunately he had acquired an annoying amount of injuries, fortunately on his way out, he had found a battle key! So he chalked the mission up to being a success, even if his team mates disagreed.
And now, all because of some superficial flesh wounds, they wanted to take away his bike, he thought bitterly.
Zoom groaned, vowing to himself that he wouldn't let them take it.
Eventually, Sage came in with a tray of food telling him that once he was finished, he could leave to his own room where he could get some proper sleep.
An hour later saw Zoom shuffling through the deserted garage on his way to his room. He vaguely wondered where everyone was but assumed they were at the diner eating pizza. A better dinner than what he had just had. Sage just wasn't gifted with culinary skills, he thought humorously.
Making an abrupt decision, he went to the kitchen to grab a drink from the fridge. At least if Sage caught him in the kitchen, her feelings wouldn't be hurt as he wouldn't be eating.
He was given the fright of his life however when he found Vert sitting at the kitchen bench, head bowed in silence.
Zoom tried not to disturb him as he poured a glass of juice. Partly because he was annoyed at Vert and didn't want to talk to him, and also because he seemed to be deep in thought and Zoom was just that nice sort of guy who wouldn't interrupt someone who was thinking.
He was about to leave the kitchen with his juice when Vert spoke
"I told the others to go out and look for a new ride for you"
Zoom froze in the doorway.
Vert continued, "I figure we can strip the Chopper for parts tomorrow"
Zoom spun around and slammed his juice onto the counter, sloshing on his hands. Vert was looking up now, straight into his eyes.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Vert asked
"You know I do" Zoom said in a surprisingly calm voice
"Well there's nothing you can really do about it"
Zoom took a few steps closer to Vert so that he was standing opposite him. The counter between them.
"I could leave" Zoom replied, this time with less confidence.
They both knew he had nowhere to go but back to his old life. A life which he rejected when he was called back to fulfil his "duties" as the Chosen One.
"You wouldn't leave" Vert said breezily, now standing up and using his height to try and intimidate Zoom who was more than a head shorter.
Vert put his hand on Zooms shoulder and Zoom felt pain again at the contact. But he was pretty certain he didn't have any bruises on his shoulder. Come to think of it, it hurt when Agura touched him there earlier that day too.
Shrugging off the contact and the thoughts, he stepped back again.
When he looked into Verts eyes now, he could only see a cold satisfaction. The look sunk in Zoom's gut. Since when had Vert changed? He looked completely uncaring of Zoom's feelings.
Zoom abruptly turned around to leave for his room.
He had some thinking to do. If this is how being in the Battle Force 5 was going to be, then maybe he didn't want to stay after all.
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