Chapter Two

Fire Gets a Delivery

"Ga-Matoran! Front and center on the double!" Jala and Nuhrii jumped at their sergeant's commands and hurried down off of their base to stand at attention. "Hurry up! This ain't no pick-up game of street Akilini!"

"Pick-up game of street Akilini?" whispered Nuhrii to Jala.

"Stop talking you two! Anyone want to guess why I gathered you here today?"

"Is it because the war's over and you're sending us home?" asked Jala.

"That's exactly it private. War's over. We won! Turns out you're the big hero and we are going to hold a parade in your honor. I get to drive the float, and Nuhrii here is in charge of confetti!"

"I'm no stranger to sarcasm, sir."

"Mata Nui curse you, private! Shut your mouth or else I'll have Nuhrii steal your mask while you're asleep!"

"Oh, I'd do it too!" said Nuhrii with glee.

"I know you would, Nuhrii," said their sergeant. "You're a good brother. Couple of things today, Ga-Matoran. Command has seen fit to increase our ranks here at Whisper Canyon Outpost Number One."

"Curses…we're getting a rookie," said Jala.

"That's right Rahi-bones. Our new recruit will be here within the week, but today, we received the first part of our shipments from command." He turned around and called out to the hill behind them. "Zadakh, bring up the vehicle." The two Matoran watched as their Vahki and mechanic, Zadakh, came over the hill in a large, ground transport vehicle of some kind. It had an open cockpit and a large disk launcher attached in the bed. The most striking feature of the vehicle was a large hook on the front that seemed to indicate it could be use for towing or getting other vehicles out of sticky situations.

"Shotgun!" said Nuhrii.

"Shotgun! Curses!" said Jala.

"May I introduce our LEP Reconnaissance vehicle? It has armor plating, a suspension system, mounted automatic Rhotuka Spinner launcher position, and total seating for three. Gentlemen, this is the M12LRV. I like to call it the Vako."

"Why Vako sir?" asked Nuhrii.

"Because 'M12LRV' is too hard to say in conversation, brother."

"No, but…why Vako? It looks nothing like a big horned Rahi," said Jala.

"Say that again," demanded the sergeant.

"I think it looks more like a Muaka."

"What in Ta-Metru is a Muaka?"

"You mean like the mask company?" asked Nuhrii.

"No, like a Muaka. It's a big cat, like a Rock Lion," said Jala.

"You're making that up," stated the sergeant bluntly.

"I'm telling you! It's a real Rahi!"

"Nuhrii, I want you to poison Jala's next shipment of disks."

"Yes sir!" said Nuhrii with gusto.

"Look…see this big hook here? It looks like a horn. Now what kind of Rahi has a horn?"

"A Kikanalo," said Jala flatly.

"Didn't I just tell you to stop making up Rahi?"

Takua and Kongu were still spying on the Fire army in the hot afternoon sun when a Matoran in all red armor came into view. The two Matoran watched them talk for several moments and Takua was about to leave when suddenly a large vehicle came up over the hill and parked in front of the base.

"Whoa! What is that thing?" asked Kongu.

"I don't know, Kongu. It looks like some kind of ground vehicle down there. We better get back to base and report it," said Takua, stowing his disk launcher.

"Wait! A ground transport? How come they get a ground transport?"

"What are you complaining about? We are about to get a tank, based off a Nui-Jaga, in the very next drop."

"You can't pick up Ga-Matoran in a tank," sighed Kongu.

"Oh you know what? You could complain about anything, couldn't you? We are about to get a tank, and you're worried about Ga-Matoran. What Ga-Matoran are you going to pick up? And secondly, how are you going to pick them up in vehicle that looks like that?"

"Well, what kind of vehicle is it?"

"I don't know. I've never seen a ground transport like that," Said Takua, looking at the vehicle through his disk launcher's scope. "It looks like…some kind of cat Rahi," said Takua, using his disk launcher to get a better look.

"Like a Muaka?" suggested Kongu.

"Yeah, there you go."

"So unless anyone has anymore mythical creatures to suggest as a name for the new vehicle, we are going to stick with…the Vako. How about it Jala?"

"No sir. No more suggestions," sighed Jala.

"Are you sure? How about Keetongu?"

"It's okay," said Jala, sounding more and defeated.

"Kanohi Dragon?"

"No…no really, I'm fine…"

"Mana-Ko?"

"Great Temple Squid?" said Nuhrii.

"Hey, he doesn't need any help," snapped Jala.

"Rahi Nui?"

Jala let out a long sigh as he tried to ignore the rest of Vakama's comments.

"Hey Nuhrii, what the name of that bug that eats your muscle?"

"That would be the Dust Darter, sir."

"Hey Jala? Darter thingy? How about that? I like it. It's got a ring to it."

After several more belittling jokes, the sergeant left them for the day. Jala and Nuhrii continued on their watch until the early evening, and then heading inside their base for the night. Seeing the Fire army turn to their bunks, the Takua and Kongu went back to base to prepare for their shipment the next day. As the sun began to set, the soldiers turned in for the night. Little did they know, that even as they slept, and the wheels of destiny were already turning in all of their lives and tomorrow was going to be a big day, and the day the battle for Whisper Canyon would finally begin.

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