On the distant planet Zi, organized under strict rules and
regulations, zoid battles are fighting competitions held on enormous
battlefields; using giant, mechanical combat units known as Zoids. The
enthusiastic, young warriors put their pride on the line and sharpen their
skills against one another. Battle-mode improved. Area, scanned.
Battlefield, set-up. Ready....FIGHT!
It was a normal enough morning at the home base of the Blitz Team. The four teammates, Jamie, Lina, Brad, and their captain, Bit, were sitting around the breakfast table listening to Lina's dad, Dr. Tauros, give a big announcement.
"Okay everyone," he said, "listen up. The Zoid Battle Commission has just announced that the Annual Virtual Zoid Challenge will be held this Saturday!"
To this announcement Brad whistled, Jamie and Lina slapped their hands together, and Bit just scratched his head.
"Uh, doc," Bit asked, rather embarrassed, "Just what is the Virtual Zoid Challenge?" Everyone's eyes popped open.
Jamie looked his friend in the eye. "Bit, you really don't know?"
"Man," Brad said, "Where have you been the past ten years?"
Lina spoke up. "It's only the biggest event of the year for would-be zoid warriors."
Dr. Tauros cleared his throat. "Lina is quite correct. You see, Bit, the Virtual Zoid Challenge is a simulated battle tournament held every year. Young participants of at least twelve years of age fight each other in virtual zoid battles to claim the rights of the championship purse. This tournament is where most teams make their draft choices. In short, it's a big chance for zoid teams to get new members."
"Alright," Jamie said. "A chance to get some new blood on the team. I say we go."
Lina had a thought, "Hey, how many cute guys do you think will be there?"
Brad crossed his arms. "As long as they don't come near my Shadowfox, I'm down with it."
Dr. Tauros smiled. This was good. "Well, Bit, it's up to you to make the decision unanimous. What do you say?"
"NO WAY! We have all the talent we need on the Blitz Team in the four of us. Liger and I don't need any rookie warriors getting in our way. There is no way on Zi that you're getting me to go there."
(That Saturday)
"I can't believe you got me to come here."
Lina groaned. "Come on, Bit, that's the fifteenth time you've said that. Admit it, this tournament is cool."
"Three years ago I'd have agreed with you, but after the real thing, these virtual battles seem so dinky."
Brad looked over his shoulder. "Hey, are you lovebirds gonna chirp all afternoon, or are you gonna put your VR visors back on and watch the final battle?"
Bit sighed. "Okay, I'll watch it. Just don't expect me to cheer like the rest of you."
With the visors on, the indoor arena was transformed into a large desert that seemed to stretch for miles. In the middle of the arena, the robotic judge sat high on a plateau. (In reality, it was suspended from the ceiling) It raised its hands for attention and spoke in its pre-recorded voice.
"Final battle. The team of Danny and Michael against the team of Conner and Mondo. Battle-mode six-one-two-five, shooting challenge. Area, scanned. battlefield, set up. Ready....FIGHT!"
On both sides of the arena, two holographic Command Wolves appeared. The zoids were identical except for the fact that the two on the left were blue and the two on the right were yellow. The instant the last zoid appeared, both teams charged!
The yellow zoids fired first. Their laser blasts zoomed across the field and forced the blue zoids apart. It was then that Bit noticed that the guns mounted on yellow Command Wolves were different from the ones mounted on the blue ones.
"Oh," he thought. "Changing the standard Command Wolf gun for long range laser rifles. Smart move for forcing teammates apart. These kids do their homework."
Meanwhile on the battlefield, all four zoids had paired off and were proceeding to duel. Suddenly, one zoid from each side charged each other. Just as it seemed they would collide, both zoids fired their guns. There was a big explosion and both zoids fell back, their command systems frozen. By official rules, both were out of the battle.
The other zoids both seemed to shake their heads and turned back to each other. Both zoids pounced at each other, biting and clawing. The blue zoid fired, knocking the yellow zoid off its feet. With one of its legs badly damaged, the yellow zoid's pilot couldn't get his zoid on its feet. The blue Command Wolf jumped into the air, attempting to finish off the yellow one with its claws. Bit held his breath. This was exciting! Suddenly, the cannon on the yellow zoid PIVOTED out of position and aligned with the blue zoid's chest. The yellow zoid's pilot pulled the trigger and unleashed a full round of laser ammo into its opponent!
The blue zoid crashed to the ground, just in front of its intended target. Using everything it had, the yellow zoid forced itself onto its three remaining legs and howled a message of victory and challenge. The judge raised one arm in a position Bit and the others had seen many times.
"Battle Over! The winners are...Danny and Michael! Please remove your visors for the awards ceremony."
Bit ripped off his visor. "MAN! THAT WAS COOL! LET'S GET DOWN THERE AND SIGN THOSE GUYS UP!"
Lina couldn't help but giggle. "Quiet, Bit. People will think you're enjoying this."
Throughout the arena, team members of all kinds pushed their way to the floor, trying to get at any young competitors who had done well. Bit could see the winning team on the first place pedestal. The leader of the two boys, Danny, was about sixteen, with black, curly hair and blue eyes. The younger of the boys, Mike, was fifteen with sand-colored hair and brown eyes. Both boys seemed to be enjoying themselves as they accepted the huge bag of prize money, but when Mike saw the number of warriors and team captains headed their way, he tugged on Danny's sleeve and made head motions toward the door. Danny nodded and both kids ran out of the arena and into the surrounding city.
Lina poked her head out over the crowd. "HEY! Where'd those two go?"
Later that night, the Blitz team's Hovercargo transport ship was trucking through the desert that surrounded the city. The team sat the cockpit, all keeping an eye out for the young champions. They had gotten a lead that said the two boys had headed in this direction.
Lina sighed. "I don't get it. Why would anyone go through all the trouble of winning the tournament and not stick around to be picked? Don't those two realize that they could have been selected for one of the best teams around?"
"Don't stew over it," Bit laughed. "Once we find them, they will be on the best team around. The unbeatable, S-Classed Blitz team!"
Jamie checked the computers. "Hey, scanners have picked up two lifeforms five kilometers north of here. That could be them."
Brad grunted. "Well, check it out. I gotta call the doc and tell him to get two new bedrooms ready."
Exactly five kilometers north of our heroes, the two young champions were sitting in their camp, waiting for some instant ramen noodles to finish cooking.
"Man," Mike said. "Instant noodles in the desert. I wanted to eat in a restaurant!"
Danny rubbed his temples. "We've been over this before, Mike. We have to be thrifty. Besides, it's your fault."
"MY FAULT?"
"Yes. YOUR fault. If you didn't turn into a chicken every time you see a crowd of people rushing at us, we'd probably be on the way to a nice, warm home base right now."
"Okay, I'm sorry. It's just sometimes I get so nervous. There are times I think we should just give up and go home."
"ARE YOU CRAZY!? We made a vow, remember? We agreed we'd never go back until we were great zoid warriors. Now I'm asking you to make a new vow. The next team to offer us a spot, we take it."
"Okay. I guess I can deal with that."
Suddenly, a rumbling sound came from the desert, coming toward the two boys.
Danny looked in the direction the sound was coming from. Unseen by Mike, a small targeting array appeared on Danny's left eye. The array beeped and transmitted a picture into Danny's mind.
"A hovercargo, headed this way. This could be trouble. Quick, douse the fire and get behind that big rock."
Hidden behind the rock, the two friends heard the hovercargo pull to a stop. One by one the zoids the craft was carrying emerged from the ship. Cautiously, Danny peeked out from behind the rock.
"Well," Mike stammered. "W-w-what are they?"
"Okay, I see a blue Gun Sniper, a Raynos in the air above us, there's a zoid that looks like a cousin of the Command Wolf, and there's a Liger of some kind. Huh, never seen a white Liger like that one before. Okay, stay down and maybe they'll go away."
Bit looked around through Liger's cockpit at the darkened campsite.
"Well, this is definitely their camp. Now where do you suppose they went, Liger?"
The lion-like zoid growled back. "Grrroowerrr."
Brad tilted the Shadowfox's head to look at Jamie's Raynos that was hovering above them. "Hey, squirt, turn on your searchlight and see if you can find them. They can't have gotten too far."
"Roger that," Jamie said. On the end of the Raynos' pterodactyl-like beak, where the nostrils would normally go, the searchlights opened and shone down their beams on the desert for hundreds of feet. Jamie strained his eyes in all directions, trying to catch any sign of their elusive targets. Suddenly, he caught sight of two figures hiding in the shadow of a large boulder. Quickly, he activated his communications radio.
"Guys, we got 'em. Surround the rock and cut off their escape route. No doubt they'll try to run for it again."
Danny peeked out again. "Oh, man. They're gonna' surround the rock. Quick, Mike, RUN!"
The two friends headed north with everything they had, but they didn't get 100 feet before the Shdowfox had jumped in front of them, effectively blocking their path. By then, all the other zoids had gotten to them, cutting off any chance of escape. As the cockpits opened and the pilots emerged, both boys raised their hands over their heads.
"Look," Danny said. "If you want our money, it's in the tent. Just take it and leave us alone. We've never harmed you or anyone, so just leave us be. Just take our gold and go."
Lina laughed. "Woah, guys. You've got it all wrong."
"Yeah," Jamie said. "We have no intention of harming you or robbing you."
Mike stammered. "W-w-well, if you don't want our money, what DO you want with us?"
Brad crossed his arms, trying to look macho. "Boys, we are about to make you an offer you shouldn't refuse. Okay, Bit, take it away."
"Thanks, Brad. Guys, we saw you two at the tournament."
Danny snorted. "Yeah? You and everyone else on Zi. So, what is it you want? An autograph?"
Bit laughed. "I like you, kid. You've got a sense of humor. We're here to ask you if you two would like the chance to join the Blitz team."
Mike's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "THE Blitz team? The S- classed team with the Ultimate X zoid known as Liger ZERO?"
Bit smiled. "The same. So, fellas, we got a deal?" He extended his hand.
Danny took Bit's hand in his own. "Mister, you got yourself two new zoid warriors."
(The next day: Blitz home base)
Dr. Tauros stuck his head into Danny's room. "C'mon, Danny. Rise and shine. We got a surprise for you and Mike."
Danny got out of his bed, groaned, and stretched. "Oh, man. First night in a decent bed in three months and now I gotta get up. All I can say is that this surprise had better be good."
The surprise was in the zoid hanger. Two somethings stood under a huge tarp. Dr. Tauros got in front and grabbed hold of a long rope attached to the top of the tarp.
"My friends," he said. "I am proud to introduce the two newest members of our team!" As he finished, he gave the rope a strong tug. The tarp fell away, revieling the two zoids underneath.
Danny's zoid was a large, cat-like Zaber Tiger. It's yellow and black body armor shone in the early morning sunlight. At the end of its long, strong legs were huge, grey, slashing claws and in its mouth were long saber fangs. On its back, chest and bobtail were powerful laser guns. Danny took one look at it and gased. "I-it-it's beautiful."
Mike's zoid was a Cannon Tortoise. Its compact gray and green body stood on four powerful legs. On its hips were double barrel laser rifles. Mounted on its back was a huge laser mortar cannon. Mike's eyes bugged out. "Man, I got a zoid with heavy firepower. This is so cool."
Brad smirked. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get in and take them for a test drive."
Tiger lowered its head and the cockpit opened. Nervously, Danny climbed into the pilot seat and looked around whilethe restraint harness moved into place. He noticed Tiger's zoid gear sitting on the control panel. hand shaking, Danny picked up the advanced AI progamming module and inserted it into its proper slot. Instantly, the computer systems flared to life. On one screen a small message appeared.
"Hello," it said. "I am the Zaber Tiger version one. Please enter your zoid warrior registration number so we can be friends."
"Okay," Danny said. "Now where did I put that piece of paper? Oh, that's right. In my shirt pocket." Danny looked at the number on the slip of paper, memorized it, and entered it into the computer. "7-7-7-5-8-3."
The computer processed this information for a moment, then scrolled a new message. "Welcome Danny Mitchell. I must say I am most pleased to make your acquaintance. I look forward to being your partner in our many zoid battles to come."
"I'm pleased to meet you too, Tiger. What do you say we go out for a little run?"
"I like to run, I think. That would please me very much."
"Okay! So, how do I get you to move?"
"Simply place your hands on the controls and put your foot on that pedal. I will do the rest."
"Okay. Hands on controls. Foot on pedal. Thunderbirds are go."
"What bird," Tiger asked as he started forward. Nearby, Mike's Cannon Tortoise also started to move. Danny noted how smoothly the ride in his zoid was. How steady Tiger's stride was on those long legs. "I ask again, what bird?"
"No, Tiger. There's not really a bird. It's only an expression. You know, a saying that dosn't really mean anything."
"It would appear I have much to learn about you organic creatures. Now hold on tight. I'm going into a run the instant my hind feet hit the desert."
Tiger was good to his word. No sooner had his rear claws hit the sand then he burst into a fast, loping run. Danny cheered and laughed as Tiger rushed through the desert. If you don't know, Zaber Tigers are built to be quick and menuverable as well as having excellent gun power. This Tiger was no exception. He bounded forward with all his might, using his claws to dig into the sand and gain extra speed.
Danny laughed so hard his sides hurt. Suddenly, a holographic image of Mike's face appeared on the cockpit. He looked pretty mad.
"WHAT'S WITH YOU," he yelled. "YOU KNOW MY CANNON TORTOISE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THAT!"
Danny rolled his eyes. He had forgotten: Where the Cannon Tortoise has superb offensive and defensive power, its speed leaves something to be desired. He removed his foot from the pedal and Tiger slowed to a stop, giving Mike the time to catch up. "Sorry Mike. I guess I lost my head for a minute, there. C'mon, let's get back to base." With that, the two friends walked slowly home. The whole team was waiting for them.
"So, boys," Doctor Tauros said. "I trust you like the zoids?"
"Like them," Danny gasped. "We LOVE them. I can't wait to test out Tiger in a zoid battle."
Jamie laughed. "You won't have long to wait. The Zoid Battle Commission has just schedualed our next match for tomorrow at 12:00 sharp."
Bit whistled. "Perfect timing. So, Jamie, who we up against?"
"The Champ Team. Apparently, Harry got himself two new warriors at the tournament."
It was a normal enough morning at the home base of the Blitz Team. The four teammates, Jamie, Lina, Brad, and their captain, Bit, were sitting around the breakfast table listening to Lina's dad, Dr. Tauros, give a big announcement.
"Okay everyone," he said, "listen up. The Zoid Battle Commission has just announced that the Annual Virtual Zoid Challenge will be held this Saturday!"
To this announcement Brad whistled, Jamie and Lina slapped their hands together, and Bit just scratched his head.
"Uh, doc," Bit asked, rather embarrassed, "Just what is the Virtual Zoid Challenge?" Everyone's eyes popped open.
Jamie looked his friend in the eye. "Bit, you really don't know?"
"Man," Brad said, "Where have you been the past ten years?"
Lina spoke up. "It's only the biggest event of the year for would-be zoid warriors."
Dr. Tauros cleared his throat. "Lina is quite correct. You see, Bit, the Virtual Zoid Challenge is a simulated battle tournament held every year. Young participants of at least twelve years of age fight each other in virtual zoid battles to claim the rights of the championship purse. This tournament is where most teams make their draft choices. In short, it's a big chance for zoid teams to get new members."
"Alright," Jamie said. "A chance to get some new blood on the team. I say we go."
Lina had a thought, "Hey, how many cute guys do you think will be there?"
Brad crossed his arms. "As long as they don't come near my Shadowfox, I'm down with it."
Dr. Tauros smiled. This was good. "Well, Bit, it's up to you to make the decision unanimous. What do you say?"
"NO WAY! We have all the talent we need on the Blitz Team in the four of us. Liger and I don't need any rookie warriors getting in our way. There is no way on Zi that you're getting me to go there."
(That Saturday)
"I can't believe you got me to come here."
Lina groaned. "Come on, Bit, that's the fifteenth time you've said that. Admit it, this tournament is cool."
"Three years ago I'd have agreed with you, but after the real thing, these virtual battles seem so dinky."
Brad looked over his shoulder. "Hey, are you lovebirds gonna chirp all afternoon, or are you gonna put your VR visors back on and watch the final battle?"
Bit sighed. "Okay, I'll watch it. Just don't expect me to cheer like the rest of you."
With the visors on, the indoor arena was transformed into a large desert that seemed to stretch for miles. In the middle of the arena, the robotic judge sat high on a plateau. (In reality, it was suspended from the ceiling) It raised its hands for attention and spoke in its pre-recorded voice.
"Final battle. The team of Danny and Michael against the team of Conner and Mondo. Battle-mode six-one-two-five, shooting challenge. Area, scanned. battlefield, set up. Ready....FIGHT!"
On both sides of the arena, two holographic Command Wolves appeared. The zoids were identical except for the fact that the two on the left were blue and the two on the right were yellow. The instant the last zoid appeared, both teams charged!
The yellow zoids fired first. Their laser blasts zoomed across the field and forced the blue zoids apart. It was then that Bit noticed that the guns mounted on yellow Command Wolves were different from the ones mounted on the blue ones.
"Oh," he thought. "Changing the standard Command Wolf gun for long range laser rifles. Smart move for forcing teammates apart. These kids do their homework."
Meanwhile on the battlefield, all four zoids had paired off and were proceeding to duel. Suddenly, one zoid from each side charged each other. Just as it seemed they would collide, both zoids fired their guns. There was a big explosion and both zoids fell back, their command systems frozen. By official rules, both were out of the battle.
The other zoids both seemed to shake their heads and turned back to each other. Both zoids pounced at each other, biting and clawing. The blue zoid fired, knocking the yellow zoid off its feet. With one of its legs badly damaged, the yellow zoid's pilot couldn't get his zoid on its feet. The blue Command Wolf jumped into the air, attempting to finish off the yellow one with its claws. Bit held his breath. This was exciting! Suddenly, the cannon on the yellow zoid PIVOTED out of position and aligned with the blue zoid's chest. The yellow zoid's pilot pulled the trigger and unleashed a full round of laser ammo into its opponent!
The blue zoid crashed to the ground, just in front of its intended target. Using everything it had, the yellow zoid forced itself onto its three remaining legs and howled a message of victory and challenge. The judge raised one arm in a position Bit and the others had seen many times.
"Battle Over! The winners are...Danny and Michael! Please remove your visors for the awards ceremony."
Bit ripped off his visor. "MAN! THAT WAS COOL! LET'S GET DOWN THERE AND SIGN THOSE GUYS UP!"
Lina couldn't help but giggle. "Quiet, Bit. People will think you're enjoying this."
Throughout the arena, team members of all kinds pushed their way to the floor, trying to get at any young competitors who had done well. Bit could see the winning team on the first place pedestal. The leader of the two boys, Danny, was about sixteen, with black, curly hair and blue eyes. The younger of the boys, Mike, was fifteen with sand-colored hair and brown eyes. Both boys seemed to be enjoying themselves as they accepted the huge bag of prize money, but when Mike saw the number of warriors and team captains headed their way, he tugged on Danny's sleeve and made head motions toward the door. Danny nodded and both kids ran out of the arena and into the surrounding city.
Lina poked her head out over the crowd. "HEY! Where'd those two go?"
Later that night, the Blitz team's Hovercargo transport ship was trucking through the desert that surrounded the city. The team sat the cockpit, all keeping an eye out for the young champions. They had gotten a lead that said the two boys had headed in this direction.
Lina sighed. "I don't get it. Why would anyone go through all the trouble of winning the tournament and not stick around to be picked? Don't those two realize that they could have been selected for one of the best teams around?"
"Don't stew over it," Bit laughed. "Once we find them, they will be on the best team around. The unbeatable, S-Classed Blitz team!"
Jamie checked the computers. "Hey, scanners have picked up two lifeforms five kilometers north of here. That could be them."
Brad grunted. "Well, check it out. I gotta call the doc and tell him to get two new bedrooms ready."
Exactly five kilometers north of our heroes, the two young champions were sitting in their camp, waiting for some instant ramen noodles to finish cooking.
"Man," Mike said. "Instant noodles in the desert. I wanted to eat in a restaurant!"
Danny rubbed his temples. "We've been over this before, Mike. We have to be thrifty. Besides, it's your fault."
"MY FAULT?"
"Yes. YOUR fault. If you didn't turn into a chicken every time you see a crowd of people rushing at us, we'd probably be on the way to a nice, warm home base right now."
"Okay, I'm sorry. It's just sometimes I get so nervous. There are times I think we should just give up and go home."
"ARE YOU CRAZY!? We made a vow, remember? We agreed we'd never go back until we were great zoid warriors. Now I'm asking you to make a new vow. The next team to offer us a spot, we take it."
"Okay. I guess I can deal with that."
Suddenly, a rumbling sound came from the desert, coming toward the two boys.
Danny looked in the direction the sound was coming from. Unseen by Mike, a small targeting array appeared on Danny's left eye. The array beeped and transmitted a picture into Danny's mind.
"A hovercargo, headed this way. This could be trouble. Quick, douse the fire and get behind that big rock."
Hidden behind the rock, the two friends heard the hovercargo pull to a stop. One by one the zoids the craft was carrying emerged from the ship. Cautiously, Danny peeked out from behind the rock.
"Well," Mike stammered. "W-w-what are they?"
"Okay, I see a blue Gun Sniper, a Raynos in the air above us, there's a zoid that looks like a cousin of the Command Wolf, and there's a Liger of some kind. Huh, never seen a white Liger like that one before. Okay, stay down and maybe they'll go away."
Bit looked around through Liger's cockpit at the darkened campsite.
"Well, this is definitely their camp. Now where do you suppose they went, Liger?"
The lion-like zoid growled back. "Grrroowerrr."
Brad tilted the Shadowfox's head to look at Jamie's Raynos that was hovering above them. "Hey, squirt, turn on your searchlight and see if you can find them. They can't have gotten too far."
"Roger that," Jamie said. On the end of the Raynos' pterodactyl-like beak, where the nostrils would normally go, the searchlights opened and shone down their beams on the desert for hundreds of feet. Jamie strained his eyes in all directions, trying to catch any sign of their elusive targets. Suddenly, he caught sight of two figures hiding in the shadow of a large boulder. Quickly, he activated his communications radio.
"Guys, we got 'em. Surround the rock and cut off their escape route. No doubt they'll try to run for it again."
Danny peeked out again. "Oh, man. They're gonna' surround the rock. Quick, Mike, RUN!"
The two friends headed north with everything they had, but they didn't get 100 feet before the Shdowfox had jumped in front of them, effectively blocking their path. By then, all the other zoids had gotten to them, cutting off any chance of escape. As the cockpits opened and the pilots emerged, both boys raised their hands over their heads.
"Look," Danny said. "If you want our money, it's in the tent. Just take it and leave us alone. We've never harmed you or anyone, so just leave us be. Just take our gold and go."
Lina laughed. "Woah, guys. You've got it all wrong."
"Yeah," Jamie said. "We have no intention of harming you or robbing you."
Mike stammered. "W-w-well, if you don't want our money, what DO you want with us?"
Brad crossed his arms, trying to look macho. "Boys, we are about to make you an offer you shouldn't refuse. Okay, Bit, take it away."
"Thanks, Brad. Guys, we saw you two at the tournament."
Danny snorted. "Yeah? You and everyone else on Zi. So, what is it you want? An autograph?"
Bit laughed. "I like you, kid. You've got a sense of humor. We're here to ask you if you two would like the chance to join the Blitz team."
Mike's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "THE Blitz team? The S- classed team with the Ultimate X zoid known as Liger ZERO?"
Bit smiled. "The same. So, fellas, we got a deal?" He extended his hand.
Danny took Bit's hand in his own. "Mister, you got yourself two new zoid warriors."
(The next day: Blitz home base)
Dr. Tauros stuck his head into Danny's room. "C'mon, Danny. Rise and shine. We got a surprise for you and Mike."
Danny got out of his bed, groaned, and stretched. "Oh, man. First night in a decent bed in three months and now I gotta get up. All I can say is that this surprise had better be good."
The surprise was in the zoid hanger. Two somethings stood under a huge tarp. Dr. Tauros got in front and grabbed hold of a long rope attached to the top of the tarp.
"My friends," he said. "I am proud to introduce the two newest members of our team!" As he finished, he gave the rope a strong tug. The tarp fell away, revieling the two zoids underneath.
Danny's zoid was a large, cat-like Zaber Tiger. It's yellow and black body armor shone in the early morning sunlight. At the end of its long, strong legs were huge, grey, slashing claws and in its mouth were long saber fangs. On its back, chest and bobtail were powerful laser guns. Danny took one look at it and gased. "I-it-it's beautiful."
Mike's zoid was a Cannon Tortoise. Its compact gray and green body stood on four powerful legs. On its hips were double barrel laser rifles. Mounted on its back was a huge laser mortar cannon. Mike's eyes bugged out. "Man, I got a zoid with heavy firepower. This is so cool."
Brad smirked. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get in and take them for a test drive."
Tiger lowered its head and the cockpit opened. Nervously, Danny climbed into the pilot seat and looked around whilethe restraint harness moved into place. He noticed Tiger's zoid gear sitting on the control panel. hand shaking, Danny picked up the advanced AI progamming module and inserted it into its proper slot. Instantly, the computer systems flared to life. On one screen a small message appeared.
"Hello," it said. "I am the Zaber Tiger version one. Please enter your zoid warrior registration number so we can be friends."
"Okay," Danny said. "Now where did I put that piece of paper? Oh, that's right. In my shirt pocket." Danny looked at the number on the slip of paper, memorized it, and entered it into the computer. "7-7-7-5-8-3."
The computer processed this information for a moment, then scrolled a new message. "Welcome Danny Mitchell. I must say I am most pleased to make your acquaintance. I look forward to being your partner in our many zoid battles to come."
"I'm pleased to meet you too, Tiger. What do you say we go out for a little run?"
"I like to run, I think. That would please me very much."
"Okay! So, how do I get you to move?"
"Simply place your hands on the controls and put your foot on that pedal. I will do the rest."
"Okay. Hands on controls. Foot on pedal. Thunderbirds are go."
"What bird," Tiger asked as he started forward. Nearby, Mike's Cannon Tortoise also started to move. Danny noted how smoothly the ride in his zoid was. How steady Tiger's stride was on those long legs. "I ask again, what bird?"
"No, Tiger. There's not really a bird. It's only an expression. You know, a saying that dosn't really mean anything."
"It would appear I have much to learn about you organic creatures. Now hold on tight. I'm going into a run the instant my hind feet hit the desert."
Tiger was good to his word. No sooner had his rear claws hit the sand then he burst into a fast, loping run. Danny cheered and laughed as Tiger rushed through the desert. If you don't know, Zaber Tigers are built to be quick and menuverable as well as having excellent gun power. This Tiger was no exception. He bounded forward with all his might, using his claws to dig into the sand and gain extra speed.
Danny laughed so hard his sides hurt. Suddenly, a holographic image of Mike's face appeared on the cockpit. He looked pretty mad.
"WHAT'S WITH YOU," he yelled. "YOU KNOW MY CANNON TORTOISE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THAT!"
Danny rolled his eyes. He had forgotten: Where the Cannon Tortoise has superb offensive and defensive power, its speed leaves something to be desired. He removed his foot from the pedal and Tiger slowed to a stop, giving Mike the time to catch up. "Sorry Mike. I guess I lost my head for a minute, there. C'mon, let's get back to base." With that, the two friends walked slowly home. The whole team was waiting for them.
"So, boys," Doctor Tauros said. "I trust you like the zoids?"
"Like them," Danny gasped. "We LOVE them. I can't wait to test out Tiger in a zoid battle."
Jamie laughed. "You won't have long to wait. The Zoid Battle Commission has just schedualed our next match for tomorrow at 12:00 sharp."
Bit whistled. "Perfect timing. So, Jamie, who we up against?"
"The Champ Team. Apparently, Harry got himself two new warriors at the tournament."