A/N: This episode contains a racial slur against Asians.

Conflict: Zoids

Season One

"The Land of the Rising Sun will soon become the Land of Eternal Sunshine." - Anonymous OA Politician

Episode Two

When Tobias finally found his Storm Sworder, there was a brunette leaning against the leg. On her left shoulder was the crest of the 82nd Raynos Squadron. He knew this woman.

"Hey Knight Sky, why aren't you with the rest of your birds?" He asked her.

1st Lieutenant Kat Zeros was a team leader with one of the Raynos Flights. The Raynos pilots and Sworder pilots had a rivalry about as large as the one between the Blade Liger and Zero Schneider pilots.

"With you and your damned Sworders going up, there's almost no need for us in the air. I've never personally seen one of them in action, but I've heard the reputation of the 101st, as well as looked at the specs for your birds. At Mach 4, there's nothing out there that can catch you. Except us of course."

Tobias's left eyebrow went up. It was common knowledge that while the Storm Sworder as faster and more agile, it was lacking in the range department. The Raynos's basic armament consisted of a multitude of ranged weaponry, as well as a better radar system than the Sworder.

"Hah. I'd like to see you try."

"Come now Tobias, you know you can't outrun a bullet. Or a missile," she teased.

"No, but you'd have to keep me in your sights," he shot back.

While the rivalry between Raynos pilots and Storm Sworder pilots was rampant, Tobias and Kat's went deeper. When Tobias's team was nearing Ebinay for the first time, their IFF didn't register. Kat's team was in the air and intercepted, though Kat was on the ground. A dogfight began that ended with all four Raynos's needing extensive repair, with only scratched paint and a single shredded wing on the Sworders' side.

"Keep talking, flyboy. Keep your head in the clouds and someone might one day bring it down with the head of a missile."

Before Tobias could respond, steam began to billow from the catapult mechanism the Storm Sworder was mounted to. There was a faint twittering from the particular Zoid Kat was leaning against.

"Sorry Kat, but it's time for the Angels to fly once again."

Kat chuckled and left. Tobias stepped onto the small raised platform next to the catapult, which caused the mouth of the Zoid to open, the seat slowly lowering to the ground on hydraulics. Tobias hopped in and buckled the five-point harness as the seat began to raise again. Once the mouth closed, the entire cockpit lit up, the canopy becoming a transparent orange, and a soft twittering was heard.

"I know girl. I missed you too."

Tobias's Storm Sworder was painted sky blue, to match the skies she flew in. And to top it off, he'd named his Zoid Aisling, a Celtic word that translated into Dream.

"Radio check. This is Hellfire."

Tobias keyed his radio. He had to watch his words. He tended to get wordy when in flight. He may still be on the ground, but he was starting to get that feeling.

"This is Archangel. Stay sharp, boys and girl. We're riding herd on the air support and the Alpha when it arrives. 82nd has a Flight on standby if we need the help. Ghost Team volunteered to keep an eye on the Romeo, in case the Allies get a bit ballsy. Show of Force is authorized upon request. Until then, try to stay awake. And hope some Zabats feel a bit froggy."

Three voices all replied their understanding. Tobias entered a few more commands, which started the functions checks, engines checks, and weapons checks. When all systems read green, Tobias entered one more command, which Aisling responded to eagerly. The seat leaned back, which would help with the immense G-forces Tobias would be subjected to. The Storm Sworder crouched a little at the knees, feet spreading apart a little more, as the electromagnetic locks engaged. Tobias watched a little display at the upper left of the HUD on the canopy. It changed from red to yellow, causing all four Zoids' heads to straighten, forming their entire bodies in a straight line, the folded wings unlocking, the powerful turbines on the back whirring loud enough to be heard over the clamor of other Zoids preparing for battle. The light turned green, and all four Zoids shot forward, the pilots being pinned back in their seats, as the Sworders rocketed towards the end of the catapult, which ended in a curve up, so the Zoids could launch properly. As soon as they reached the end, the locks disengaged, and four Zoids, weighing 47 tons each, slowly turned a complete circle as they fell towards the ground. Upon turning a full circle, the wings snapped out, legs locked, and the Storm Sworders of Angel Team soared into the sky, hitting Mach 1 in seconds. The sonic boom informed the entire area that Angels were patrolling the battlefield.

Bathsheba let out a long, drawn out sigh, her white hair threatening to fall out of the hasty bun she'd put it in.

You know, when I signed up to be a FAMT member, I expected it to be FAST!

Raphael Murdoch, the driver of her particular beetle- shaped Gustav, was leaned back in his seat, unlit cigar twirling in her fingers. The rest of her team were sleeping, reading, or in the case of the youngest member, picking his nose. Staff Sergeant Bathsheba Caymen was a squad leader in the Maintenance unit, a member of the Fast Action Maintenance Team #6. Her job was to perform quick, field-expedient repairs on any Zoid with battle damage, so it could either return to the fight, or return to base. The position on a FAMT tended to open quickly and promotions were rather fast. Bathsheba was a Staff Sergeant at only 20 years old, which made her older than her brother, who was already going out to meet the enemy. Which reminded her. She reached over to her personal radio and switched it to the 2-7 Infantry battle channel to listen in…

"Heckler, watch your six this time. They may only be raiders, but last time it was a single Rev Raptor."

If Jarid had a view into King's cockpit, he'd see the Private give him a one-finger salute. They'd already run through a single squad of the Raptors, as if the pilots thought they could stop the charging Zoids.

"Slade, this is Crosshair. I'll have overwatch in 2 mikes, over."

Private First Class Preston Häyhä, callsign "Crosshair," was the team's designated marksman. He was also the oldest member of the team at 41. His skill with his Gun Sniper was legendary in the Battalion. He'd won top honors in every target contest. Jarid, callsign "Slade," had even taken a look at his file once. Häyhä had scored 3rd place overall out of the entire Pan-American Coalition. He would never tell the old man, but Jarid had put in the paperwork to have him compete in the World Marksman Championship, where shooters from the OA, EU, Russia, and PAC all test their skills in a friendly competition. A loud warble dragged him from his thoughts. He was now in range of enemy fire.

"Look alive, gentlemen!"

23 kilometers from 2-7 INF's Line of Advance, a battery of Oriental Alliance Cannon Tortoises were preparing to fire, the gunners already entering the target co-ordinates they'd received from the rear. The Tortoise commanded by Captain Peng, the Battery Commander, was to take the first shot. His gunner, a Junior Sergeant, gazed through the sights, lining up his shot, making sure it'd go directly to the point Peng had ordered. He held up his fist when he had the gun at the right angle.

"Huǒ!"

With Peng's command, the entire battery fired as one, the shells flying towards their designated targets, at the extreme range of the cannons.

The advancing Zoids were unaware of the artillery fire until the shells began impacting. A single, over eager caterpillar-like Molga was destroyed by a shell hitting its back.

"Stay mobile! Don't let those shells hit you."

The Commander's Iron Kong was at the very front of the line of advance, not too far ahead of Jarid. It wasn't a very agile Zoid, but it would shrug off all but direct impacts. Jarid and his team passed the burning wreck of the Molga, the cockpit still attached, as the pilot hadn't been able to jettison in time. He closed his eyes for a moment, before opening then and glaring ahead. He joined the military with a grudge again the Alliance, after a Pteras Bomber had destroyed the evacuation transport he and Bathsheba's parents were on. And for every Coalition soldier killed, his anger grew.

"Heckler, take the six. Hack, Slash, flanks."

Heckler's bright red Command Wolf stayed 100 meters from the rear of Jarid's Liger. A black Zaber Fang took up the left side, a white Shield Liger on the right. They both left enough room for Jarid to deploy his blades. Though they always started in this formation, they always ended up scattered, caught up on the heat of battle. Jarid had chosen his team well, knowing their melee skills would allow them to hold their own. Even Preston's Gun Sniper was competent when it came to defending itself. He'd only had to call for CAS once. Ahead of them, an explosion launched the Commander's Iron Kong.

"FAMT!"

FAMT Six's Gustav lurched as Murdock stepped on the gas, as it was their turn to roll. He followed the beacon from the downed Zoid they'd been assigned while Sheba listened in on the radio as the Tactical Operations Command relayed information from the Zoid's computer.

"One Molga, left wheel detached. Operator reports no other damage."

One of her team members, Corporal Rodrick Jones, rolled his eyes. Molgas always shrieked when damaged. But it was a quick and easy fix. As soon as they arrived, Murdock popped the orange canopy, allowing the four Mechanics to get out. Jones hopped behind the winch controls as PFC Cole and Private James grabbed tool kits. Sheba approached the damaged Zoid to inspect it. The metal wheel lay face down, one of its twelve bolts missing. With only one, the pilot would have to be careful when making sharp turns. She placed her hand on its side, talking to the Zoid in a soothing tone. Though the AI aboard a Molga was limited, she felt that it calmed the Zoid down. CPL Jones had the wheel lifted with the winch and was slowly moving it toward the Molga, Sheba guiding it. Once it was in place, James and Cole began bolting it back in place. As soon as they were finished they jumped clear and Murdoch flashed the headlights on the Gustav, giving the pilot the all clear. The Molga shrieked in defiance and rolled forward. As they climbed back in the Gustav, they received another assignment.

"One Iron Kong, Command System Freeze, High Priority."

Sheba groaned. That meant they had to grab the Zoid and haul it back to base. And it was a higher rank to boot.

Jade Dragon leapt into the air, front claws glowing with a blinding yellow light. It came down on the back of a Coalition Shield Liger, breaking its back, armor shattering, before leaping off again, ion boosters firing. The green Zero Jaeger shot across the battlefield, seeking another target, letting a group of Rev Raptors finish off the fallen Liger.

"Do not fear, my friend. We will find him."

The Jaeger growled in agreement. Maylin had come across two Blade Ligers so far, but they were both the standard blue. Jade Dragon was able to take one, but a black and orange Zero Schneider arrived and chased the Jaeger off. Jaegers relied on speed to close to melee range and use their Strike Laser Claws. But a Zero Schneider was the undisputed king of melee and a Jaeger was no match for a Schneider if the Jaeger was standing still.

"Demolition," a hushed voice came over her comm, "this is Hunter."

Normally, Maylin would've ignored someone trying to contact her. However, it was unusual for Hunter to broadcast over the Assault Force Frequency. She keyed her comm, her interest piqued.

"Go ahead, Hunter."

"I'm sending you a set of coordinates. Ambush spotted what looks a grey Blade Liger. Be warned, it's traveling with comrades. Stay mobile. Hunter, out."

Maylin's eyes narrowed. If Hunter's information was correct, and she had no reason to think otherwise, she'd found her prey.

"Let's go, Jade Dragon."

The Jaeger growled in agreement and fired its ion booster.

Häyhä fired his AZ 144mm Tail Rifle into the head of a Rev Raptor, before his Gun Sniper stood up straight and moved along a path worn in to the rocky hills. He preferred to be a marksman, always moving, as opposed to being a static sniper. He felt it supported his team better and kept him safer.

"Slade, you've got a chink Wolf coming up on your right side."

Slash and his white Shield Liger reacted, firing his AZ 260mm Triple Shot Cannon at the Wolf's legs, causing it to stumble. Hack's black Zaber finished it off with a swipe to the neck, decapitating it. Unlike Jarid, Hack and Slash didn't have a vendetta against the enemy, so they left the detached head alone. Häyhä was about to move when his trained eye caught the telltale ripple of a stealthed Helcat. It was stopped, not too far behind Jarid. Häyhä lined up his crosshairs where he thought the Zoid's body was and fired. The round hit the ground, kicking up snow. The Helcat bounded away as he cursed.

How did I miss? The only way was if he was facing me. Which would mean...

As Häyhä hurriedly entered the command to transition from sniper mode to normal, when the bomb from an Alliance Pteras hit, launching the Gun Sniper.

"Damnit!"

Jarid's HUD informed him that Häyhä's Zoid was frozen, but he was alive. Their eyes and cover were down. He didn't like relying on the intel weenies aboard the Whale King Romeo. After all, they weren't down there with the rest of them.

"You! Liger pilot!"

Jarid's concentration was yanked away from his thoughts to the battle. Before him was a green Zero Jaeger, broadcasting via loudspeaker. The pilot was obviously a woman, though her heavy accent left something to be desired.

"What the fuck do you want, you slant eyed bitch? Make it snappy."

The Jaeger roared with the same indignation its pilot felt.

"A grey Blade Liger killed my friend. You are in a grey Blade Liger. You will die."

The Jaeger charged, claws glowing. Jarid sidestepped to the right, blades glowing. The Jaeger's Strike Laser Claw hit the blade, but they were charged with the same type of energy, so neither Zoid was harmed. The Jaeger whirled around and tried to slash the Liger's face, but it stepped back. Heckler, Hack, and Slash kept back, watching the fight. Jarid made it a standing order that no one would interfere if someone challenged him personally. Win or lose, it was his fight. The Liger tackled the Jaeger and the two feline Zoids went rolling. The Jaeger ended up on top and tried to bite the Liger's throat, but two panels opened up on the Liger's head and the distinct pink glow of an E-Shield formed, launching the Jaeger a good 200 meters. As it tried get to its feet, the Liger already had its blades out and charged, glowing with yellow energy.

"You lose."

FAMT 6 pulled up alongside the disabled Iron Kong. There was no reaction, as a Command System Freeze effectively knocked a Zoid unconscious. Normally, the pilot was knocked out as well, unless they were well protected. The cockpit of the Kong was large, two people could sit side by side, at double arm length.

"Alright, let's drag this monkey home," Sheba joked.

The team got to work, trying to ignore the fact that there was a battle going on not far from their position. The canopy on the Kong opened, LTC Zajac hopping out. He had a nasty bruise on his left temple, but he was awake and alert.

"Any way I could help, Sergeant?"

Though Sheba preferred pilots who offered their help, they only got in the war.

"No thank you, sir. My team has everything under control. The Gustav has an extra seat, next to the driver, if you'd like."

As the Lieutenant Colonel made his way to the Gustav, Sheba's blood froze as a distinctly Asian voice purred in delight.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"