A message from the writer…       

I have no claim what so ever on any of the Zoid characters in this fic. Any characters that are of my own creation, however, are strictly off limits unless you contact me.  Also, please excuse any spelling errors. I'm infamous for my atrocious spelling.

            And now back to the program.

            "BIT! YOU THEIF! YOU STOLE MY DOUGHNUT!"  A red headed girl stormed out of her hotel room, murder on her face. A sandy haired boy, a man, really, looked up, his sea foam eyes wide with false innocence that fooled no one.

            "Lena, how could you! I was no where near the 'fridge!"

            "Bit Cloud!" She snarled, and thus launched herself at him, punching and tearing for all she was worth (which is much less than she thinks ^ ^).

"Man, they're at it again!" Jamie said, passing Brad a cup of tea.

"Yeah. So, who do ya think'll win?" The other man said with out opening his eyes.

"Well, Lena's pretty angry…five on her."

"Deal." Brad got out his wallet. "I'll just pay now. It doesn't sound like he can last long." And he was right. The horrendous screaming stopped, and Lena rolled him back into the boys' room.

"Wow." Jamie said once she had left.

"Yeah. Must be a record. Five minutes flat," Brad murmured.

"How many bruises?" Jamie asked.

"Forty on his arms and legs," Brad said, wincing slightly at the mess that greeted him.

"Twenty on his torso."

"Hey boys." Doctor Steven Toros said, walking through the door with a doughnut in hand. "What's Bit doing on the floor?" He asked, brushing his dark brown hair out of his eyes.

Both Jamie and Brad pointed over their shoulders across the hall to Lena's room.

"What'd he do this time?"

"Ate her doughnuts."  Jamie said, sighing.

The doctor choked.  "Well boys, gotta run! Lots of business to do!"

"He did it again." Jamie sighed.

The next day…

"I can't believe it! We've been here almost a week and we still can't find a decent mechanic," Doc said, looked around the restaurant.

"Maybe we don't need one. I mean, Jamie can handle it for us," Bit said.

"Bit, I have other things to do, you know. Like making strategies…"

"Which we never use anyway because Bit can't get enough of him self," Brad said.

"HEY!" Bit yelled, shoving Brad roughly.

"You folks looking for a mechanic?" An old man asked as he walked by. His face was wrinkled, and rough hands were covered with scars and calluses.

"Yes! Do you know of anyone?" Doc asked eagerly.

"Well maybe I do…" His haggard face hardened. Doc placed a thick wad of bills in his hand.

"There's a lass over in the nex' town. She's a good 'un. Works in a shabby place, but she can fix anythin'. Give 'er a ring. She'll set up an interview." Then he walked away, leaving a number on the table.

"Kazeno Kauri. Hmm. Well, let's hope she's as good as she says she is." The man said as he left.

"Hello? Doctor Steve Toros…yes I am looking for a mechanic…you can see me in a week? Ok. I'll send someone over the desert…yes, thank you. Good bye."

"Ok Liger lets go!" The Zoid roared in agreement. It set off at a loping run, long strides devouring the ground, leaving only a swirl of sand as evidence of its path.

"Come on. Let's move!" The Zoid roared again, this time dashing across the sand. Bit yelled, adrenaline roaring through his veins. After a while, he began to notice the growing storm cloud. The sand began to whip around, the dunes shifting. His Zoid hesitated.

"Keep going, Liger! We don't have to be afraid of one stupid storm!"

And how very wrong he was.

                                                            ***

Bit awoke with a dull pain in his head. He moaned. His eyes opened slowly. He felt a warmth wash over him.  A cloaked figure sat by the fire. It sensed his movements.

"Eat."

Bit found himself presented with a bowl of soup. He ate it slowly, savoring the flavor. He reached to scratch his ear when his hand was slapped sharply.

"You have an injury. You must not touch your cranium." He ignored reached up anyway. He yelped as he was slapped harder.

"Didn't you hear me? You must not touch your head."

"Oh. I thought it meant 'butt'."

"In your case perhaps, but never mind that. Just eat." Growled the figure.

"So what happened?"

"You road straight into a sandstorm and were thrown into the air. You crashed near the next town. If we leave at sun up tomorrow, we can make it by sunset."

"Who are you?"

"That is my business alone, thank you."

"OOOkay…" He yawned. "Why am I ssso sleeeeepy?"

"I laced the soup with some heavy sedatives. You should wake up about the time we arrive."

"What about my…suit…Liger? Liger? Where are you…." His head lolled to the side. The figure bent down to check his pulse. It was slow, but steady.

"Good. Your Zoid will be fine, boy. I'll see to it."

                                                ***

"Ow. My head…where am I?"

"You're at the Zoid repair station, boy," A cracked voice said. An old toothless man materialized into his hazy vision.

The old man leered at him. "You got one large bump on yer head. Should be grateful, ye should be." 

"Uh, where's my Zoid?"

"Bein' tended to. Yaalso migh' wanna say thanks to the lass who did it fer ye. She fixed that old heap o' junk up nicely, she did."

Bit was led out into the scorching sunlight. He squinted in the direction the old man pointed him in. He saw two children gathered around a car, both looking nervous.

"Oh, mummy's gonna be real mad, Jerold. You is breakin' her car…." A little girl wailed, her purple pigtails bouncing in agitation.

"Shurrup Lillian. I didn't do nofink. You is the one who swiped her keys," A boy of ten snapped.

"Hush, both of you. Now lemme see…ah! Here we go! All set!" A girl slid out from under it. "Now just let me handle your mother. But if you two ever ever go joy riding again, I'll tell on you!"

Jerold's small watery eyes widened in fear. "You wouldn't, would ya?"

The girl nodded solemnly. "Yes I would. But if you promise not to ever again, I just might forget." The two children nodded.

"Ok. Stop looking so scared. Here take this to play with." She pulled out a small brass hummingbird and twisted the tail feathers around a few times. The wings began to flap, and away it flew, the children running after it, trying to catch it.

The girl stretched her arms, and then went inside.

Bit followed.

She leapt up onto his Liger, and continued to do so until she reached the top. She began checking for any loose bolts or wires.

"Hey! Who're you!"

She whirled around, her ponytail popping out. Long golden hair spilled down her shoulders to the small of her back. She jumped down.

"My name is mine, and mine alone. Who are you and what are you doing at this station?"

"My name is Bit Cloud. I got lost and came to the station for directions," he said, not wanting to admit that he had been hit by a storm.

The girl stepped out of the shadows, a smile flickering on her features. Laughter sprang to her lips.

"Liar. I know for a fact that didn't happen." She said, still laughing.

"How?"

"Because I brought you here, idiot." She continued to laugh softly for several minutes. Bit felt a blush creeping up onto his face. He wasn't sure why.

"Well, Mr. Cloud, I've spoken with Ms. Kazeno. She has agreed to take the job. She has a list of requirements…" The girl handed him a piece of paper.

"Ok…well, when can we expect her?"

"She says in the letter that she should come next week."

"Uh…ok…well, I'd better go…"

"Very well Bit Cloud. Just steer clear of any wind. Some can sweep you off your feet."

                                                            ***

"Jamie, is the new room set up? And the extra hangar?"

"Yes, Doctor."

"Good."

"Uh, Doc, where's Bit?"

"He's out somewhere. Said he'll be back by morning."

"He's gonna throw a fit when he finds out that we moved out all his spare parts again and sold them."

"So what?"

Jamie laughed slightly.

"Dad! She's here!" Lena called.

"Coming! And Lena, be on your best behavior!"

"HI!" Lena came outside to greet the figure.
"Hello. You must Lena."  The person removed the cloak. Her fair complexion

glowed in the sun, eyes dancing.

            "Yes. Come on, I'll show you around."

"Thank you. I would like that very much." The girl followed her silently.

"Well, this is where we eat…and my room is just down the hall…and your room is just across from mine. The bathroom is at the end of the hallway."

"Thank you. Do you think your father would mind if I set up a cot in the hangar?" The girl said after inspecting her room.

"No, but why would you want to sleep there?"

"Well, I work pretty late sometimes. Some nights I skip meals, sleep, you name it. If I do end up doing that, I want to make sure I don't wake everyone up my trudging back into the living quarters."

"Ok…well, if you really want to…"

"Sorry. But I do plan to enjoy my room as much as I can." She smiled.

Lena smiled back. "Well, we're eating shortly, so…"

"I'll just set up in my room. Thanks a lot Lena."

"Kauri…"

"Just call me Kaze." She smiled warmly.

"Hello, Doctor?"

"Ah! Kauri…"

"Kaze, please."

" Well then, Ms. Kaze, what do you make of our headquarters?"
"Very nice."

"Thank you. If you follow me, we can all have some dinner," He said, leading her down the hallway. 

 Kaze sat down at the table, noting how tense they were. She shifted uncomfortably. She made a stab at conversation.

"So, you all moved up to rank S. Good job. I assume you're all pleased?"

Jamie nodded, Lena mumbled 'Yes', and Brad sipped his coffee.

After ten minutes of eating in silence, Kaze stood up.

"I think I'll get started on the Zoids."

Brad looked up. "No one touches Shadow Fox except me or the Doc. We know what we're talking about," he said casually. But Kaze didn't miss the slight look of scorn in his eyes.

"I was hired as a mechanic. I will do my job. And that means doing thorough check-overs of ALL the Zoids once a day, every day." She said coldly, and walked out.

Brad found her about to enter the cockpit. He yanked her back.

"I already told you; only the Doc and I go near my Zoid. I want someone who's actually been in a battle handling my Zoid."

"Please excuse my asking, but… how long have you been a mechanic? Or electrician?" she asked sweetly.

"Well…"

"How many degrees do you have? Any of them Masters?" she asked, prodding his chest with her wrench.

"None, but…" Her eyes narrowed.

"And how many championship teams have you worked with?"

"I…"

She grasped his jaw firmly in her hand so he was looking straight at her.

"Until you can give me a decent answer to all of those questions, just let me do my job, and I'll let you do yours." She released him and got back to work. Brad climbed down.

Lena came up behind him. "Huh, you sure showed her, Brad."

"Shut up, Lena."

Kaze waited until they were gone before opening the door and leading a Zoid in. Her Zoid.

                                                            ***

Bit woke up in the morning bright and early. He went to check on Liger. He saw a shape lightly jumping all over, tapping here, and tightening there. He waited until they were upside down. He grabbed them. He felt a fist connect with his eye. It began to swell quickly. Through his other eye he watched the figure drop.

"Bit?"

"Who…" That laugh came, that laugh…

"Kaze. Well, I guess this is awkward."

He was about to saw he had no idea of what she was talking about when he noticed that she was in a bikini top and short, frayed shorts. A belt with all manner of tools ran across her bare, tan stomach, which he was still holding.

Awkward is an understatement!

She laughed.

"Who are you?"

"Kaze."

"No, I mean besides your name. Why are you here?"

"I'm the mechanic."

"Well, um, yeah… so how do you like it here?"

"It's great. I just finished up on the Raynos…Jamie should be happy. It was a wreck."

"Well, let's see it."

Kaze led him over to it. He was shocked. All the parts had been placed exactly in place, all the ammo and then some was present, a new gun had been mounted, and a fresh coat of paint…

All of a sudden, Jamie came out, carrying a tray of coffee. He saw the Raynos and dropped the tray. He ran up to it and was hugging it furiously.

"YES! IT'S NOT JUST A HEAP OF BROKEN PARTS ANYMORE!"

Kaze laughed. Bit was beginning to find he liked her laugh.

Jamie came over, smiling.

"I take it you like my work?"

"Yeah! What'd you do to the others?"

"They weren't as bad as yours, so I just added a few things outa my collection and put on a new coat o' paint."

Jamie looked at the Gun Sniper.  "Oh no. You added more?"

"Several explosive containers on the tail and she can use it as a long range gun."

"Lena's gonna spaz."

Lena came in at that very moment.

"Wha…oh my…YES!!!!" She ran over and began examining it.

"Missiles…explosives, long and short…flares…" Her eyes got wider and wider, and an insane grin came up on her features.

Brad merely looked over the Shadow Fox, saying that 'it would do'. Kaze grinned.

"So, when's the next battle?"

"We've been challenged by the…I don't believe it." Jamie said.

"What?"

"The Champ team."

Bit choked.  "What? How did they get into this league?"

"You have no idea, do you?"

They all shook their heads.

"In S, if you can win a small series of mini tournaments, they give you extra parts. The more parts you get, the stronger your Zoid. Harry has been winning the small prizes for a while and been supping up his team. They probably beat one of the lesser S teams and were boosted up."

Lena screamed. "No! He'll hit on me again!"

"Lena, just go with it. Act like you're flattered, and say stuff like, 'oh, you're to good for me; I just don't deserve you.' Make his head spin," Kaze said lazily.

"But…"

"If he gets too demanding, just press the big red button on your belt. Custom made. I call it the Big Bang."

"What does it do?"

"It fires all of your remaining tail and shoulder missiles all over. He may dodge a few, but soon or later he'll get hit. Just type in his warrior code and you're all set."

Lena's eyes lit with a fanatical light.

"Oh, I can't wait to see Harry!!" She muttered happily.

BATTLE ZONE 414

A judge came plummeting out of the sky. "This is now a restricted area. Only those taking place in the battle and personnel aloud. Battle mode 0453-head to head. There are no time limits. Ready…FIGHT!"

Jamie sat down in the control unit with the Doc. Kaze walked in…and stopped.

"Oh shit!" Kaze whirled around on Jamie. "Get out there. Now!"

"Why? He's only got a couple of cannon tortoises…and a speed-star, but still…"

"Just do it! He's in one of the fastest models!! Do you really think that he's gonna go in with out some back up?"

Jamie looked confused.

"Get to the Raynos, now. I'll take over."

"But…"

Lena's scream came over the intercom. "BIT! WHERE did that come from?" Lena yelled, panicking.

"What?"

"One of the cannon tortoises…it just came outa no where!"

"Lena, give me a break! They can't just materialize…"

"Blitz team! This is Kaze! I'm taking over!"

"Oh no you're not!" Bit yelled back.

"Shut up. Do you remember what I said about winning upgrade parts?"

"Yes…" Brad said glancing cautiously around.

"Good. Harry's been getting speed upgrades. By putting them on some of the slowest units, he's got a good way to confuse his opponents."

"But Harry couldn't come up with that on his own!" Lena yelled, exasperated.

"He doesn't have to. In S, you can hire a tactician."

"So?"

"So locate the speed upgrades and you have them."

"But we need to catch them first." Bit said.

"Easy. His two extra units may have gotten faster, but not lighter. Jamie is patrolling the sky for an aerial attack. If he gets an opening, he's gonna fire. Brad, deploy as must smokescreen as you can. Once they have nowhere to run, we can get them. Lena, find the highest sand dune. Not rock. Make sure your back is to the sun. Jamie, just watch for any sudden movement. Bit…" she paused. "…Just do your thing. Now go!"

Jamie watched them all moving like pawns on a chessboard.

"How come they listen to her but not to me?" 

Kaze watched the screen carefully, searching. After a few minutes, she said, "Jamie! I need full visuals and a data analysis on all of the Zoids. Can you get me a few close ups?"

"Sure thing!"

"Great!" Pictures flooded up onto the screen. "Ok…area of centrifugal force… momentum…that wouldn't work…wait…if I …yes! Everyone! If you get a clear shot at any of the units, aim for the top of the left fore-shoulder or the back right ankle. That's where the most pressure would normally be, but I'm not picking up anything."

Brad scanned the dunes carefully. Let's see who else falls into my little trap… suddenly, he spotted a brief flicker of movement. He shot instinctively.

"DROID ONE IS OUT OF THE BATTLE."

Bit was facing off with the Speed-star. It was a cheetah shaped animal with a black star on its flanks and forehead.

"Hello there Bit! So glad you could make it! I suppose you couldn't resist the chance to battle for Lena's honor, but it is I who shall win!"

"Shut up, Chump." Bit snarled.

"Lena, I will win this for you my love!"

Meanwhile, Lena was fuming. Brad had taken out both of the Droids and there was nothing for her to do.

"HARRY! I have a message for you…" She said sweetly.

"Yes, my sweet?" He asked gallantly.

"Eat shell! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaa!" Lena pressed the red button.

"AHHHHHHHH!!!! OH NONONONONOOOOO!" Harry yelled as he tried to avoid getting hit by several large missiles and small bombs. Then he was hit…and the fireworks continued, much to his displeasure.

Well, not bad, considering how bad it COULD have been…but that's really for you to decide. Please R+R!! ^ ^