Chapter XIII
Note: Moonyasha, I thought it was a good idea to include your character in this story. But this story will end in two or three more updates. Maybe this is not the right story to do it. But if you still interested, let me know through PM or regular email. Maybe we can do something together (sequel? Or perhaps a brand new Zoids story?) So send me a PM or email to talk about it.
Blitz Team Headquarters,
Planet Zi
The Wolf dropship shook and rumbled as it made the final descent, this time on the landing pad of the Blitz Team. Four gigantic rockets tossed smoke and dust as the egg-like vessel touched the ground, sending light tremor to the HQ and the Blitz Team Zoids that were waiting outside the hangar. The dropship's door slid open, and two battlemechs climbed down the ramp, stopping right in front of Bit's Liger Zero, Naomi's Gun Sniper, and Brad's Command Wolf.
Phaia put her Shadow Cat in idle and exited her cockpit, watching her commander climbing down his Executioner with Doc Taros. When she arrived at the ground, the Zoidians also exited their Zoids, so they finally met face to face at ground level. Leena burst into a sprint and hurled herself into Doc Taros' embrace, followed by Bit and Brad. Phaia stood at the distance, watching the father-daughter reunion apathetically, but she shot a curious glance at Naomi. She remembered Harry's explanation about Naomi being the best sniper in the planet, and her competitive nature gave her an uncomfortable feeling.
"Daddy!" Leena hugged Doc Taros and cried on his shoulder. "I thought I would never see you again!"
"Don't be silly, lass," Doc Taros caressed her pink hair. "I am not leaving you yet." He turned to Bit and Brad that greeted him with broad smiles. "Bit, Brad, you did one hell of a job. I'm very proud of you."
"Did they hurt you?" Brad asked.
"No, on the contrary," Doc Taros turned to Darien and Phaia. "Meet Darien Kerensky, the leader of this Wolf Clan expedition. This is Phaia, the second-in-command. They were on their way to a place called Arc Royal when they were stranded here."
"You guys have a lot of explanation," Bit said, "but answer me one thing: why did you kidnap Doc Taros?"
"Harry Champ told us that Doctor Taros was the only one that could help us go back to Arc Royal," Phaia explained. "He said that you were enemies and would not give up Doctor Taros, so we had to use excessive force to acquire the doctor. He was our only source of information, so we followed his lead."
"Harry Champ?" Bit and Brad squinted. "Why in the world did you chose Harry as your aide?"
"I beat him in a circle of equal, so I took him as bondsman," Phaia replied.
"Long story short, Harry made them believe that the Blitz Team is bad," Doc Taros joined in. "He wanted them to beat Bit and Liger Zero. When his plan failed, he stole one of their battlemechs and escaped. He might be the one that leaked the information about Nikolai to the Backdraft."
"That fiend never ceases to screw things up," Brad sighed. "He's rich, but not bright. What do you think he can do with the stolen battlemech?"
"The Timber Wolf is not my main concern," Darien responded. "Nikolai is more important than the battlemech. I want him back alive, even if it means that I have to lose the Timber Wolf."
"Knowing the Backdraft, they'll soon make contact with us, asking for ransom," Doc Taros said. "Let them make the first move. Now let's get inside and plan our strategy to beat the Backdraft and Harry Champ."
"What if they do not contact you?" Phaia mused.
"Don't worry, they will," Brad replied. "They've been our unwelcome neighbors for far too long, we know how they think and how they act. You will get Nikolai back."
Phaia looked at Darien, still skeptical about the entire situation, but Darien's stare told her that there was nothing she could do to make things better. The Wolves just had to trust the Blitz Team, because Doc Taros and his friends knew how to deal with the Backdraft group.
As the new acquaintances walked toward the headquarters, Leena came to Bit and pulled him aside. "You don't know how it means to me that you fought your heart out to get my daddy back. And you saved me from the Backdraft. Words are not enough to express my thanks."
"Hey, he's my family too," Bit smiled. "You'll do the same if you were in my position."
"Nevertheless, what you did is very brave, and I think you deserve to get this." Leena leaned toward Bit and pecked his cheek in a quick smooch.
"Ow…" Bit was taken aback, totally caught off guard. "Well thank you. Does that mean we're… uhm…"
"Don't push it, Bit Cloud," Leena stepped back, chortling over Bit's reddened face. "Like I said, you deserve it because of what you did."
"Does that mean there's more if I continue to act heroically?" Bit teased.
It was Leena's turn to blush. "Boys! Give them an inch and they ask for the whole yard!"
Meanwhile, inside the headquarters, the Wolf clansmen and the Blitz Team were brainstorming when the main screen beeped. Jamie quickly established a connection, and the face of Altail emerged on the screen, smiling in conceited smug.
"I believe I have found a treasure in your front yard, Blitz Team," Altail grinned, showing off his nicely kempt teeth. "I wonder why you always have the good toys. Well, the tide of battle has changed. I am holding possession one of the aliens that had come to Planet Zi. I believe he is worth countless stars to you, so if you want him back, you have to hand me Liger Zero."
"Do you think we are stupid, Altail?" Brad snorted. "First, why should we believe you?"
"Quick thinking, Brad Hunter," Altail cackled. "Exactly my kind of guy. Here, take a look at your possession and tell me if I'm lying." The screen moved to a picture of Nikolai, chained to a wall, battered and bruised, but otherwise alive. The bad gash on his temple had swollen into a nasty gangrene.
"You stravag! Freebirth scum!" Darien gritted his teeth in anger. His fists balled so hard his knuckles went white. "By Kerensky's blood, I swear you all will pay for this!"
"Then give me Liger Zero, and he'll be back in no time," Altail smiled. "I will wait on the outskirt of Romeo City in 36 hours. If you fail to meet me, I will send your friend in a nice coffin."
"Neg, I will not wait another day," Darien replied sternly. "I, Star Commander Darien Kerensky, hereby challenge you in a Trial of Possession. I bid my Executioner into this trial, and let Nikolai be my prize."
"A what?" Altail frowned. "A trial? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"A duel, one on one," Phaia explained. "If you lose, you have to return Nikolai to us immediately. If you win," she paused a minute, "you can keep Nikolai and the Executioner. Such is the way of the Clan."
"Hmm…" Altail mused. "A new technology to our arsenal. Who knows this Executioner is even better than an Ultimate-X. Alright, if that suits your taste. Meet us in twenty four hours."
As the screen went dark, Doc Taros lunged at Darien. "You're nuts! You don't know what you're dealing with! Not every problem can be solved by Clan trial, especially ones with the Backdraft! They will do everything they can not to lose this trial!"
"I am sure they will," Darien replied, looking at Phaia. "Remember Jerome Helmer?"
"Aff, ovkhan," Phaia replied with a smirk. "This time, I will be ready."