BLAZING ACES CHRONICLES: LOST COUNTRY
A Zoid – BattleTech crossover by RougeBaron
Author's Note:
Looks like Fall 2017 comes early this year.
Originally I planned this story to be released sometime around August or September, but I get so excited I pulled all the stops to make it happen quicker. It is unlike me to rush things, but this story was planned to get off Winter 2016 so technically I'm late.
I have written a few crossovers in the past but they were all apocryphal to the characters' timeline. This time I want to make the crossover canon to the characters' timeline. This story is the direct sequel to both The Exile Prince and Blazing Aces Chronicles: The Early Years. The idea of crossover came from the concept of "misjump" explained in Battletech book Empires Aflame, in which a simple 30-light-year jump can bring a ship thousands of light years away from its original destination, in an uncharted territory, or in a parallel dimension where anything can exist.
What has happened in the respective universe at this point:
Zoid Timeline:
Planet Zi, ZAC 2128. Saskia was trying to put her life together after the tragedy in The Exile Prince. She was out of work and in desperate need of money. She was trying to put together a Zoid team to do odd jobs and to fight Zoid Battles (those who are familiar with Zoids NC0 and Fuzors should know what it feels like to scape money from all sources), but with Kenny being a rookie, the team was barely making it.
Blazing Aces Timeline:
Inner Sphere, 3065. The Blazing Aces mercenary unit was at the lowest point of its resurrected life. The true heir, Trystan Vandenberg, was found guilty of mutiny and sold to a pirate band. Trystan's sister, Caelia, was the only Vandenberg left in the unit but she was not prepared to lead. The Blazing Aces fell into the hands of Blitzie and Linc, a couple mechwarriors who seized the opportunity, but none of them had the skill to take the Blazing Aces to glory. As it stood, the once prominent mercenary unit stood a pale shadow of itself.
I intend to keep the language for the respective universe because 1) I want to emulate the confusion between the two groups when they mesh together, and 2) it's damn fun to do. I'm still watching Spartacus and I can't get enough of its language. There is still something new I learn every time I watch an episode. So the Zoidians will continue to speak in "Bastardized Latin" ala Spartacus while the Spheroids (and Clanners, whenever they show up) will continue to speak "American". It will create a whole lot of awkwardness in writing and reading, but that's the impression I'm trying to make when these two groups of people met. They are, in fact, separated by 60,000 light years of space, so although they look the same, they can't be speaking the same language.
So without further ado, please enjoy Blazing Aces Chronicles: Lost Country
Zoids and all its component is copyright of Tomy / Hasbro.
BattleTech / MechWarrior and all its component is copyright of FASA / Wizkids / Topps.
All rights reserved.
PROLOGUE
Backdraft Eastern-Front Facility,
Eastern Continent, Planet Zi,
December 19, ZAC 2128
The heavy stomping boots of a large man broke the eerie silence of a dark corridor of a Backdraft facility, deep in the desert of Eastern Continent. His red shirt was the only bright material within a few meters, but even its glow was detuned by the dimly-lit environment and his thick denim jacket. His short-cropped hair, coupled with moustache and goatee, added the macabre impression of the already intimidating man.
Behind him, following him like a puppy, was an even bigger figure, painted drab gray in all. At 3 meters in height, this organoid dwarfed his master almost by a factor of 2. But unlike the typical, dinosaur-looking organoids common in Planet Zi, this organoid was sleeker and more humanoid in shape. Its right arm sported an impressive weapon system, ranging from 7.62-mm armor-piercing machine gun down to a few blades if all else failed. As if that was not enough, the organoid carried a jet pack on its back for limited flight.
The two figures continued their way deep inside the facility until they reached a double door. The man punched in a code to open it and entered the room. The organoid stood guard by the door, as if protecting his master from snooping ears that had nothing to do with his master's business.
Inside the room, the man activated a holographic projector, and a hologram of an assembly appeared in the middle of the room. Seven old men sat on the chairs encircling him, the oldest of which was directly in front of him. This old man had a lot of years under his belt, but the way he was sitting told the man that he still had a lot of years in front of him.
"Captain Khyron Saggaff," the old man said. "With what purpose did you summon the Committee of Seven absent words with your superior? I shall remind you the precedence of this channel. If your presentation bears nothing of note, your rank and your privilege will be removed from your hands."
"My Count, I am well aware of the regulation, and the ensuing penalty of it," the man called Khyron was not deterred. "Yet feet stand firm absent trembling knees, because this affair is not to be trusted to any Backdraft operatives but the highest in hierarchy."
"What proceeding bears such gravity?" one of the committee members tuned in. "Or is it a mere maneuver for the advancing of your status?"
"My hands forge path but to honor Backdraft Organization," Khyron replied. "I have no other intention."
"Intention well nudged," the oldest man spoke. "Proceed."
"Two Raynos went missing in a wake of an energy storm," Khyron explained. "Data had been scarce, yet whatever we procured references Globally 3, the Terran ship landed on Zi in the passing years."
"What fever grips mind, calling out the ancient ship from Terra 100 years in passing?" one of the committee members blurted in anger. "Give halt to this meeting, or see your advancement forever denied!"
"I know what Globally 3 is," the oldest man raised his arm to defuse the other committee member. "The smell of brimstone still lingers in mind. The technology, brought forth by humans, forged shape of zoids we know presently. We stand but indebted to those aliens."
"Globally 3 landed nearly 100 years in the past," another member raised his voice. "Perhaps The Count mistake another proceeding?"
"Do you question my mind?" the oldest man, referred as The Count, turned around and shot a nasty stare at the other member. "It is a mutiny, maneuvering to usurp me in the hierarchy!"
"It is not my intention to such act, My Count!" the other member said.
"Then perhaps My Count understand the gravity of the situation," Khyron quickly interjected. He could understand the doubt of the other member, for The Count should be more than 100 years old to remember Globally 3 first hand. "There exists a bridge from Terra to Zi. The humans have crossed it twice; we have not done so, not even once. Put mind to work. Backdraft can mine technology from the aliens and equip zoids with weapon superiority. We shall conquer Zi in Backdraft name."
"How certain is mind about bridge to Terra?" The Count asked.
"Based on Globally 3 and the present energy storm, no doubt," Khyron replied with steel-cold tone.
"But what of Helic Republic and Guylos Empire?" another one spoke. "The bridge shall incite a global war of domination, with death yet to come!"
"Then we must press to position," Khyron suggested. "The Helic Republic and Guylos Empire may have been well advanced in progress, but we have secured advantage. We have data of most recent occurrence."
"Then there's not a moment to lose," The Count said. "Captain, see it done. Do whatever it takes to build the bridge, but waste no more resource. Find another source that is expendable, and will not raise alarm upon demise."
"I know just the one, My Count."
"Dismiss," The Count summarized the meeting. "Report only to me. Let no ears catch this project."
"My Count," Khyron bowed his head before turning off the holographic projector. He pulled out his personal comset and punched a number. "Laeta? Khyron. I have a job for your slave pet… Saskia."