Chapter XXIX:

—Loyalty—

29章:ロイヤルティ


Dr. Laon walked among the shards of broken glass on the floor of Commander Alteil's former office. A small group of soldiers, including Seraph, stood in the background, while medics gave medical attention to the wounded. The Zoids scientist studied the tear marks in the carpet, following them until they ended. He finally ventured to the broken window, glancing down at the ground below.

Medical staff had since removed Commander Alteil's body, leaving nothing but bloodstain from where he'd fallen. It was a tragic loss, but forgettable in Laon's eyes. The condition of the Backdraft's facility proved far worse. Fires that had yet to be extinguished viciously burned through the compound, while heaps of Zoids layed stewed across the ground. All this damage caused by such a small group of Zoid warriors. Dr. Laon could only shake his head with inward laughter. They were indeed one of a kind.

The scientist turned aside from the window, facing the soldiers now. "So this is where you last saw the Zoidian?"

One of the soldiers acknowledged Laon, standing with the assistance of a medic. "Yes, sir; she was here, along with the silver organoid."

"Tell me what happened," Dr. Laon said, walking around behind Alteil's desk.

The soldier took in a breath, which set his fractured ribs aflame. He ignored the pain, going through with his explanation.

"We heard an impact inside the commander's office, so my team and I went to investigate. The Zoidian and her organoid were there, so we immediately engaged the organoid under Commander Alteil's direction, sir. While engaged with the organoid, that Zoidian … she …"

"Take your time, Sergeant," Dr. Laon spoke at the soldier's pause. "What happened?"

"I don't know what that Zoidian did to Commander Alteil, sir, but she did something. It was like nothing I've ever seen, sir. She completely overpowered him, knocked him through the window, and kicked him over the edge. I can't explain it any clearer, sir."

Dr. Laon massaged his chin, laughing with sealed lips as he wagged his head. He walked over to the soldier, grabbing his shoulder.

"That'll be all, Sergeant. Thank you. You and your men are dismissed."

The Backdraft soldier performed a weak salute, then limped out of the office under his own power. Laon and Seraph were alone now, with the scientist still having a grin on his face. Seraph narrowed his eyes, intrigued by his superior's facial expression.

"Is something humorous, sir?"

Dr. Laon glanced at the warrior before him. "Indeed it is. Do you know what this means? It means that I was correct. Fiona is exactly the Zoidian I thought she was—a time bomb waiting to explode. And explode she did!" Laon expressed a satisfying exhale, but returned to his serious nature when addressing Seraph. "We need her back, Seraph. Can I count on you to do that for me, son?"

Seraph controlled his impulse to wince. He'd just went through hell trying to capture that Zoidian and it ended in utter failure. And now he had to do it again, fighting against the same people that nearly killed him. But he was given an order by his superior, so he'd follow it through.

"You can bank on it, sir."

Laon gave a nod of approval. At that moment, a scarce face jogged into the office. Dr. Laon looked at him, twisting his mouth.

"Major Polta, how wonderful for you to join us. I would've been nice to see you in action today."

"My apologies, sir. Our systems were dying rapidly. I needed to lend technical support," the Major justified.

"I'm sure," Seraph mumbled under his breath. "At any rate, do you have anything credible to report?" Laon forcefully spoke, inwardly wanting to choke the little weasel.

"That I do, sir. It seems our assailants left two of their own behind," reported Major Polta.

In unison, Dr. Laon and Seraph glanced at each other in disbelief.

"Are you certain?" Seraph asked, itching for some pay back.

"Yes," Polta confirmed. "Mobile units are closing in now."

"I want them alive," Dr. Laon commanded.

Major Polta and Seraph both raised their brows. Why in heaven would he want them alive? They were the enemy, and after what they'd done, they deserved it.

"Sir, are you sure?" Polta squinted in curiosity.

"Are you questioning my orders, Major?" Laon growled.

"Uh … no, sir."

"Then bring them to me … alive."


The Count ran his finger around the rim of his glass, thinking. His right hand massaged his forehead, cutting his eyes at the spacious observation window in his office. It once brought him solace, looking out over magnificent view of Mount Iselina's range.

Now, however, the view was tainted. The glass window was smudged with fragments of heated soil that melted onto its surface, while the surrounding facility looked as if it was struck by an air strike. The Count was never a man to lose his temper, so he remained calm. He had to look at the bigger picture—the overthrowing of the Zoids Battle Commission.

The pieces were play, so now all that remained was to launch their strike. The Count reclined in his chair, taking a sip of his twelve year old scotch when there was a knock at his door. He sat upright, setting down his glass on a coaster. For security measures, he viewed the surveillance video, seeing that it was Dr. Laon.

Satisfied, he unlocked the door from his desk. The automatic doors swung open, and Dr. Laon walked inside. From the Count's perspective, Dr. Laon looked like he'd been dragged through hell and back. His tie was loose around his neck, while his outer coat torn in several places. His still arm remained in the sling.

"You look terrible, my friend," the Count commented.

Dr. Laon looked himself over, forcing a smile. "I believe it adds character, sir."

"I assume you have something to report," the Count said, returning to his serious nature.

Dr. Laon walked forward, making his way to his superior's desk. He pointed to the glass of scotch. "You mind?"

The Count gave an enthusiastic frown, reached up under his desk and retrieved the bottle and an extra glass. He untwisted the top, pouring an inch worth. Laon grabbed the glass, knocked back the drink, and set it down on the desk. The Count perched his lips, placing the glass on a coaster.

"As you well know, sir," Dr. Laon began, "we were under attack by Dr. Toros and his team. They came for the intentions to apprehending the Zoidian girl and Dr. D. They succeeded."

The Count twisted his mouth. "How is that even possible? Did they have an army with them?"

"No," Dr. Laon mumbled, ashamed that an entire battle group of Zoids had been defeated by such a small number of enemies.

"Where does this leave us? Are we still able to follow through?" The Count pressed.

Dr. Laon gestured for another glass. Another glass was poured to the rim and Laon gulped it down without grimacing. "We've lost the majority of our Zoids in the battle. On hand, we might have just over a hundred in total. That's not enough if we want to go up against the Battle Commission's headquarters."

"What your so-called invincible Zoid creations? Can't they pick up the slack?" The Count questioned, inwardly enraged.

"It's possible, though I'd rather not..."

"Then that's what we'll do," the Count interjected. "I won't tolerate anymore setbacks. We're behind schedule as it is. What's the latest we can be ready to mobilize, and I'd better be impressed?"

Dr. Laon worked his jaw, nibbling the inside of his cheek as he began thinking. "We could be ready inside forty-eight hours."

The Count nodded in approval, a reasonable figure. "Is there anything else?"

"Indeed," Laon confirmed. "We were able to apprehend two members of Toros' team."

At that moment, Bit and Stoller were herded inside the Count's office by Seraph and Major Polta. They were shoved to the floor, their hands tied behind their backs. The Count raised a brow at the sight of the men, more intrigued by a familiar face. He stood up from his desk, walking around to the captured men.

"Stigma Stoller."

Stoller raised his cold eyes to his former superior, a look of burning hatred. The Count could see it in his eyes, but ignored it. He looked to his left, facing the blonde warrior. The warrior's emerald eyes shifted frequently, as if he was completely clueless of what was going on. It was a pawn. Bit Cloud wasn't an idiot, and the Count knew it. He and Bit's eyes met briefly.

The Backdraft's leader looked away.

"You breach our perimeter, you engage our forces, you defeat most of them, and you nearly destroy our complex. It's impressive, I admit. Warriors with your courage are difficult to come by nowadays. Now … I'm not a stranger to disrespect, you don't get where I am without developing a thick skin. But what I won't tolerate is a compromised objective. I lose sleep over such a thing, and I love my sleep. We as an organization have worked hard to get where we are today. The Royal Cup was a blow, yes. But time can be a fascinating thing. We're on the precipice of a monumental achievement, an achievement that will not be stalled any further. You've caused a great deal of pain to us, so you will reap the consequences. You're to be executed."

Bit's eyes enlarged as he lowered his head. There was no way of getting out of this one. No one would come to the rescue. He was just waiting for Seraph to draw his gun, press it against the back of his head, and pull the trigger. But what proceeded out of the Count's mouth, sounded far worse.

"But why kill you now? There's much for you see. Forty-eight hours from now, the both of you will witness the fall of your government and the rise of a superior one. And when that day is over, then you'll meet your fate."

"We get front row seats, right?" Bit sarcastically cackled.

Stoller cut his eyes at Bit, then rolled them.

The Count gestured to Seraph and Major Polta. "Take them to the holding cells."

Seraph grabbed Bit by the back of his collar, roughly yanking him upright.

"Dude, is that any way to treat your prisoner?" Bit complained.

"Yes!" Seraph growled, shoving the blonde warrior out of the Count's office.

As Major Polta went to left Stoller, the Count gestured him not to do so. He went back behind his desk, inviting Stoller to sit in one of the chairs. The former Backdraft Captain picked himself up, taking a seat. Major Polta remained by his side.

The Count lifted his glass, eyeing Stoller. "Care for a drink? You look like a man who needs it."

Stoller didn't say anything.

The Count lightly laughed. "You were always a man of few words. It was shocking enough when you became a traitor, but you just keep raising the bar, don't you? Never did I think you'd join forces with the likes of Bit Cloud. I'm very disappointed in you, Stoller."

"Save it," Stigma uttered. "Either kill me now or let me go to my cell."

"How do you think this is going to end, Stoller? You think by joining defeating us that you'll come to peace with yourself?"

"Peace was never an option," Stoller retorted bluntly. "It was just you alone, dead."

The Count's dark lenses shimmered, his expression flat. He snapped his fingers to Major Polta. "Take him."

Stoller stood up on his own, walking ahead of Polta out of the room. The door closed, leaving Laon and the Count alone.

"Loyalty," the Count spoke softly. "It's a hollow word, isn't it, Laon?"

Dr. Laon shrugged. "Only to those who believe it."

The Count looked at him, frowning. "Get your team ready. You're dismissed."

Dr. Laon nodded, turned around, then left.


Raven leaned against the wall of the maintenance depot of the base, watching Shadow repair the Geno Breaker while fused with it. A pair of figures motioned in his peripheral vision. Reese made her way from the Psycho Geno Saurer's repair station. Raven glanced at her before turning away. She went up to him, extending Styrofoam cup to him. He took it, beckoning once.

"I didn't know how you liked yours. Hope you like cream," she said, taking a sip of her own coffee.

"Its fine," he said, letting it warm his hands.

He watched the blue-haired Zoidian gulp hers, exhaling afterwards. "Ah, just what I needed. I like my coffee the way I like my men," Reese voiced.

"And how's that," Raven asked, taking a sip.

Reese smirked. "Bitter and murky."

Raven allowed himself to smile, and Reese caught it. But the smile, as always, faded. The Zoidian could sense something was wrong. Raven was unusually quiet after the battle's end. And from what Reese studied from Raven's face, he was thinking. He preferred to remain silent, so Reese didn't pry.

The two of them were silent now, simply watching the Geno Breaker gradually heal.

"I wondered what would've it been like...," Raven said in a barely audible tone.

Reese squinted her eyes. "You said what now?"

"I said …"

"Hey, you two!" a voice shouted, echoing through the depot.

Raven and Reese set their eyes upon Laon as he waved them over. Inwardly, Raven scowled. He pushed himself up off the wall, begrudgingly making his way to Laon. Reese continued to stand there for a moment, puzzled that what her ally had said. Unable to conceive what he mumbled, she pressed on after him.

Moments later, the warriors found themselves in Dr. Laon's quarters again. Seraph was there was well, standing erect in the corner. Raven didn't look at him. Now that the three warriors were present, Dr. Laon began the debriefing.

"Setbacks aside, it's time to move forward. Within two days our operation against the Zoids Battle Commission will be followed through. Before that day arrives, however, we have some loose ends to take care of first. In order for this operation to run smoothly, we'll need our secret weapon … Fiona."

Raven sighed inwardly. Not this again. It was becoming old, like a revolving door. Laon was obsessed.

The Zoid scientist checked his watch. "At the rate of the Hover Cargo's descent, they'll reach the base of the mountain by this evening. You'll find them, kill them, then bring the Zoidian back. I will not accept failure. Seraph, you're point man on this one. It's 3:15 now, so you'll move out at nightfall. Understood?"

"Sir!" Seraph saluted.

Raven and Reese stood to leave; exiting before Dr. Laon could even finished his sentence. Seraph proceeded after them, but Laon stopped him.

"Seraph, a word."

The soldier paused, exchanged facial expressions with Raven, then pulled up the door. Outside, Raven grew suspicious. What was that look? The door remained partially cracked, so Raven eased next to it. Eavesdropping might've been frowned upon, but he wasn't about to be left in the dark about something. Reese turned around, eyed Raven, and gestured to him with open palms. He ignored her.

In Laon's quarters, Seraph remained standing, listening intently on what his superior was saying.

"There's been a change of plans. I want you leading us against the Battle Commission."

Seraph quirked his brows. "I thought that was Raven's responsibility?"

Dr. Laon shook his head with folded lips. "Raven's a liability now. We can't afford any more mistakes, not when we're so close. When the Battle Commission falls—and it will fall—the Backdraft will begin anew. When all is done, our infrastructure will be cleansed."

Seraph read between the lines, understanding. "You want him killed?"

Dr. Laon remained emotionless. "Is that going to be a problem?"

"He's an acquired taste, but he is a valuable weapon, sir. Our chances of success greatly increase with him on our side," Seraph defended.

"These orders are strictly from the Count and the Committee of Seven. They believe Raven to be a risk, and I agree. His commitment to this organization is fading, and it's only a matter of time before becomes impossible to control. We nip in the bud now and save ourselves the headache. The last thing we need is a rogue warrior causing trouble."

"What about Reese?" Seraph expressed.

"Collateral damage," Laon stated. "You're the best at what you do, Seraph. Are you willing?"

Seraph sat back in his seat for a moment, weighing the pros and cons that would ensue. Raven and Reese were his allies, but that's all they were. The assassin never developed friendships, for his line work called for such. Friends could become enemies or targets; and in this case, they were targets.

"It's done," Seraph agreed.


Raven stepped back, his mind swirling in disbelief. After all he'd done for them, he would become a target. Even Reese was involved. The warrior felt betrayed, and rightly so. All his life, he'd had been a tool of destruction, a puppet.

'No more,' he promised.

It was time for a change, and it would start now. With that, Raven turned aside from the wedged doorway, his mind made up. Reese sighted him from afar, going over to meet him. She reached over to gain his attention, but he kept moving.

The Zoidian hurried to his side, clutching his arm. "Hey, what's up?"

Raven jerked his arm away and kept walking. Reese caught up with him, shoving him into the wall. "Would you stop and listen! What's going on with you?"

Raven expelled his anger, refusing to take it out on her. "I'm done with this, Reese."

"Done with what? What are you talking about?" the Zoidian inquired, releasing her hands from his arms.

"I overheard Laon's conversation. When everything's said and done, we're dead. He just contracted Seraph to take us down."

Reese stared at Raven as if he was insane. It was impossible. Why would Laon kill them? If it wasn't for them, the Backdraft wouldn't have even gotten this far. But why would Raven lie, especially something like this?

"Are you positive about this, Raven?" Reese asked anyway.

"Read my mind and see if I'm lying," Raven spoke with conviction.

Before the Zoidian could reply, Raven took her hand in his.

"We have a chance to be the better ones, Reese; to make a difference. If that means becoming traitors, then so be it."

Reese massaged her temporal lobes. "Raven, you're not making any sense. You're talking about fighting against these people instead of with them. They'll kill us."

"They won't get the chance," Raven retorted, challenging them. "Come with me. You and me against them; you know we can win. If you stay, they'll kill you when it's over."

Reese looked away from Raven's lavender eyes, finding his words confusing and dangerous. But something occurred her. Raven was changing, something that she never thought would happen. Reese made her choice.

She gazed back into Raven's eyes, holding the stare. Her face was only inches away. Without warning, Reese motioned forward, kissing Raven fully. The warrior's eyes expanded. Naturally, Raven's first instinct was to push her away. He didn't. Reese pulled away, biting her bottom lip. Raven was still frozen. She flicked his nose, snapping him from his trance.

"I'd follow you anywhere," Reese said, caressing his face. "But first, we need a little insurance."


It was nightfall. The flickering flames that ravaged the facility had finally been put out. And despite what had taken place hours earlier, it was peaceful. In the containment unit, Bit laid stretched out on the uncomfortable cot. The cell was a piece of crap. It was cramped, having just two meters between the cots.

For the most part, Bit was quiet. He mainly stared up at the ceiling, counting the fractures in the concrete. Adjacent, Stoller sat hunched over his bed, observing the blonde warrior. Despite facing execution, the kid had remained upbeat. A lesser man would've lost it by now. He was a strong, a quality Stoller appreciated.

"You were a fool to stay," Stigma scolded, breaking the silence. "It could've just been me, to you."

Bit tilted his head forward, facing Stoller. "Get over it, will you? If I hadn't stayed behind, they would've caught up with the Hover Cargo. I made my choice."

"Any regrets?" Stoller softly asked.

Bit's eyes lowered, seeing Leena's smiling face in his mind. How he wanted to hold her, to caress her soft cheek, to kiss her. She was the only girl he'd ever loved, and there was no one else. Yes, he had regrets. He regretted that he'd never see Leena, Brad, Jamie, and Toros again. Then there was Van, Irvine, Moonbay, Dr. D, Zeke, and lastly, Fiona. His new companions he'd never get to know, to laugh and prank.

"Yeah, I got regrets," he finally answered. "You?"

Stoller plucked the photo of his late wife from his pocket, staring at it. "Just one."

The door to the containment unit suddenly opened. Bit sat up, for the door hadn't been opened for hours. He went to bars, trying to sneak a peek. At his angle, however, the view was blocked by a concrete support column. He could only hear the guard on duty.

"You don't clearance to…"

The guard's words were abruptly canceled by an eerie growl. He only emitted a brief scream before a thud sounded. Bit backed away from the bars, giving Stoller a chilling stare. Multiple footsteps could be heard as they approached. The prisoners braced themselves. There, stepping through the darkness, was Raven. It was Bit's worst nightmare. Shadow towered behind him, his sapphire eyes piercing through the prisoners.

"It's time to leave," Raven said, swiping the keycard through the cell's access panel.

The door of bars swung open.

Bit remained where he was. "I know executions go over big here, but you're a little too eager, don't you think?"

Raven cringed inside. Why did he ever agree to this? "This is not a game, you jackass! We have less than twenty minutes, so shut-up and move!"

He grabbed Bit by his white undershirt, tossing him out of the cell.

"Why should we trust you?" Stoller asked him, being extremely cautious.

Raven opened his mouth to explain, but no words came out. After everything he'd done, there was no explanation that would persuade them to trust him.

"You don't have to trust me," Raven confessed.

"That's simple enough," Bit mouthed off.

"If you don't shut the…" Raven kept calm. "… Look, you either come with me or stay here and wait to be killed."

"Why are you doing this?" Stoller further questioned.

Raven swallowed, only thinking of one reasonable response. "Because you and I now share a common enemy."

Stoller instantly got the point. He knew that look in Raven's eyes, a look of disdain and hatred. He'd been betrayed; something that Stoller felt when the Backdraft deployed operatives to kill him.

"Raven," Reese whispered from the opposite end of the unit. "We have to go. If we don't meet Seraph in fifteen minutes, he'll know something's up."

"Right," the dark clad warrior nodded. "We have to move."

Stoller exited the cell, keeping a firm eye on Raven.

Bit didn't move. "Stoller, you can't be serious? These two have tried to kill me and my friends on multiple occasions! They just tried to kill us a few hours ago, and now everything's just peaches and cream? No! I'm not falling for this."

Raven grew incensed. He took Bit by the arm, pushing him hard up against the wall. "We have less than forty hours before the Backdraft launches their strike against the Zoids Battle Commission; and unless we stop them, we're all dead. Use your ears and hear me Bit: you don't ever have to trust me; I won't care either way. Is that good enough for you?"

Bit pushed Raven's hands away, holding his stare. "Why the change of heart? A few hours you wanted us dead. Now, all of a sudden, you wanna be on our side. Van told me about you, your past. Why not choose this path from the beginning?"

"It was the wrong decision … I admit to that. But I have a chance to make it right now. So, there it is; you can take it or leave it."

Bit shifted away from Raven, putting some distance between them. From his point of view, this was wrong on so many levels; but in a way, it felt right. Bit had made bad decisions too, so what made Raven any different? Forgiveness was the first step.

There, Bit extended his hand to Raven. "Then I'll take it."