Well, it's a bit later in the day, but it's still monday so I'm not late. Anyway, now we can conclude this exciting battle and find out if Josh can hold his own against the unsermountable. There is lenty to discover here for both vets and new readers alike so jump right in and I'll see ya at the end, enjoy.


Chapter 13

Heroes Return.

"Snipers!" Josh yelled above the chaotic crashing of war. "Enter close combat when the ambush hits!"

"Roger."

"Copy"

As the masses swarmed into the trap, missiles and bullets burst from their barrels in the shadows causing Gundoms to fall left and right, but then immediately opened fire on the ambushers. That is right! Josh realized. They do not have human pilots so there is no moment of shock, but at least maybe we can overload their systems by giving them enemies from both directions.

Now it was close combat again while lasers flashed past Josh and his men as they charged the short distance from their ambush positions. Their best chance was to get so close that the Gundoms would have trouble shooting them. Luckily, their heavy cover from the trees took most of the damage, but the advantage now worked both ways because it also lessened their ability to maneuver. The Sniper units came charging into the battle as a second wave of Gundoms flanked the ambush units. Suddenly Josh was hit, but Gunner stayed up and continued to fire.

"We have to move into open Ground!" Josh ordered.

The Earth Forces slowly drifted into the Gundoms former campsite where the battle ragged as both sides took heavy damage, but Josh noticed that his men were winning by a slight margin. Ever so slowly as they gunned, clawed, and pounced their way into the morning, the Gundoms became fewer and fewer in number. Just as Josh thought it was over horror stuck as another mass appeared on his radar. What we have been fighting is only the forces left from the Mali Village and Cairo. This must be the European force. We are in deep now.

Now incoming from the west was what must be left of Paris, and even Berlin. Then from the northeast came what must be leftovers from Moscow. His heart sank, but then rose again as he determined to fight to his last breath.

Suddenly Josh saw something in the corner of his eye. But that is impossible. It could not have been. Then a monstrous thundering boom came from his right. It is impossible, but there is only one gun that can make that noise. Josh turned his head to see six Gundoms fly back from the impact of the shot, and then he looked in the direction the shot had come to see a Zaber Fang perched on a hill with the morning sun glinting off its bright red armor as it braced itself for another shot.

"Pepper!" Josh screamed joyfully.

"At you service!" Came the cocky reply as the guns thundered again. "Did you miss me?"

"Then...Jake is..."

"Ryght behind ya mate." Jake said smiling as his face popped up on Josh's second monitor.

"So are we going to soak these punks or what?" Pepper asked firing again.

"Let's go!" Josh cried as joy completely overwhelmed him, filling him with a fire like never before.

"I got your tail." Liesa's voice came over the intercom.

"Liesa!" Josh said suddenly alarmed. "What are you doing here?"

"Never mind! Look out behind you!"

Josh turned and fired point blank into the Gundom.

"We will talk later." He told her. "For now stay alive."

"You're the one who almost got shot." She protested "And you won't change my mind."

Josh was glad to see his friends, but with the incoming forces it could be the last time they met. He may not be able to talk to her later, and even if he did make it. She might not. He had to think fast.

She has ridden with me before, but has never actually fought. Pepper's guns will help because they take down six or seven Gundoms with one Shot, and Jake should do just fine if he keeps bashing away at them. This could work but we need to act fast.

"Snipers!" Josh ordered, snapping his troops into focus as the last Gundom fell. "We have incoming Gundoms so follow that Zaber Fang to a good hiding spot to the east!" He continued as the snipers moved out taking cover while the rest took ambush positions. "Start firing when they are in rang! And take down any Wings or Elite first. With any luck the sun will still be low enough to hide us when they get here. The rest of us will wait until they pass through and attack from the rear. Ambushers, if we are spotted before they pass then open fire. Snipers will come into close combat when we attack, but Pepper I want you to stay on the ridge. Two men stay to guard him. Now move!"

Liesa was impressed at how much Josh had changed, but was still worried whether it would be enough. I'm here now so there is no turning back. If we die, at least I am with him again. Liesa thought as she parked her Command Wolf next to Gunner in their ambush positions. She was scared out of her mind, but tried to stay calm as the shots began to ring out like rolling thunder when the snipers opened fire on the advancing Gundoms who walked into a wall of lead.

Sweat trickled down Liesa's face as they advanced closer and closer now charging. What if we are seen? What if the Gundoms open fire? There are so many of them, what chance do we have? She shook as they marched past them like an army of death black and cold without emotion. No! I have to do this.

Once again the wooded area burst into confusion when the sniper units entered close combat and the ambushers opened fire from the rear. Again the Gundoms took heavy damage as they found themselves trapped in the open ground of the old Gundom campsite. Combined with the fallen troops of the first battle, the ground was now nearly covered in fallen Gundoms and Zoids making footing hard to get.

Minutes later, as the ambush units continued to fight, Josh had to order the snipers to start on the second wave from the East. Josh fought hard as his men dug in for a long battle and the sun had reached full height casting its light down into the smoke filled battleground of giant iron beasts. Like so many times before the sounds of guns and explosions filled the air as metal crunched and moaned under the stress of quick movements.

Josh saw a Gundom Wing coming up fast behind Liesa who was preoccupied with two Zuku Warriors in front. Jamming the booster to full power he rocketed towards the Wing as his claws glowed silver with a strike laser claw attack, and then he fired both heavy armor cannons at close range knocking it off balance before leaping into the air and coming down hard on the Gundoms waist.

"Thanks!" Liesa shouted as she saw him land on the other side.

"Never mind that!" Josh cried back. "Just be more careful!"

Josh looked to his left to see Jake plowing through the middle of the Gundom Forces, ripping through the ranks at full throttle. Then an explosion erupted twenty yards ahead of him and he followed the trail of smoke to a black Zabit. So the whole crew is here now. Will it be the last time? I can only hope we make it out of this alive. The Zabit screamed over to the incoming Moscow Gundoms and unloaded its deadly payload of explosives that had tremendous blasting power before opening fire with its smaller lasers, but ten minutes later Josh could see this was a losing battle and did a quick call out to see who was still alive.

"Jake, Pepper, Liesa! Respond!"

"I'm here mate!" Jake replied.

"Me too!" Pepper echoed.

But there was no reply from Liesa. Josh closed his eyes for an instant. Why had she come? He knew why, but still wished she had not. Suddenly he saw her Command Wolf on the ground. Then his eyes focused on Liesa who lay holding her side on the ground. Why did she get out? There was no time for questions as Josh rocketed to her side and drew his gun while he climbed from the cockpit.

"Liesa!"

"Huh." She answered weakly, wobbly raising her head to look at him but unable to focus.

"Hang in there!" Josh cried over the noise.

Liesa passed out as she felt herself being lifted off the ground.

"Gunner!" Josh yelled. "I can't climb with her!"

Gunner lowered his head but kept firing his tail gun as Josh placed her in the back seat and closed the hatch.

"Let's get out of here!" Josh ordered his troops.

Just as the words left his mouth, another explosion erupted to his right. He looked, and then looked again while joy and hope filled him as he could hardly believe his eyes. Advancing swiftly was not another rag tag band of volunteer Zoids pilots. This was the Royal British Army armed to the hilt with Iron Kong's, Command Wolves, Lightning Saixes, Bison, and countless other heavy artillery units such as Molgas and Blast Tortoises.

"Clear the area!" Josh shouted with joy. "The infantry has arrived!"

The Mali fighters quickly got clear of the bombarding British Forces who now had the complete attention of the Gundoms. Needless to say, the battle was quickly won under the heavy fire of thousands of pounds of explosives. Josh and the others watched while the ground shook beneath them as shell after shell exploded into the Gundom forces obliterating their ranks.

Once the assault was ended, the two forces met and Josh quickly located a paramedic, placing Liesa in their care. There had not been any blood so the damage was internal, but he knew something could have been punctured inside. As he walked the short distance back to Gunner, Jake and Pepper met him.

"Dude, Josh! Long time no see huh!" Pepper exclaimed as they embraced each other.

"I was sure you two were dead." Josh replied, not sure of what to say. "I searched for you, but nothing ever came up."

"Yeah," Jake said. "We were trapped under one of the buildings. Working our way out was tricky, but we could have used you when we were fixin our Zoids."

"I should have waited longer." Josh told them.

"No worries, we understand." Pepper said. "We would have done the same thing man."

"Let's get a fire going." Said Josh with a smile. "Then I want the whole story."

"Oh, by the way." Pepper added, and then whispered. "I think Liesa likes you."

Josh laughed out loud as he went to find a good camping spot.

"What?" Pepper asked looking at Jake.

"I think he knows already mate."

"Oh." Pepper replied as he watched Josh walk away, and then turned to Jake. "Do you think he likes her?"

Jake only gave him a disappointed look as if telling him he was an idiot as he followed after Josh.

"What does that mean?!" Pepper shouted as he ran to catch up to his friends.

Two hours later the three sat laughing together at their fire as they swapped stories of what had happened since they were separated. It was like old times again as Josh felt almost strange, but at the same time was overwhelmed by joy to be reunited with friends as good as these.

"So then." Pepper started. "We like had to pilot our Zoids back home, but they could barely walk cause we stink at that stuff. It was hard at the time, but now it's funny."

"Then we found out where your parents were and knocked on the door, and who should answer it?" Jake asked rhetorically. "Lyesa!"

"She turned all pail and her eyes got big." Pepper interrupted, laughing as he imitated her shocked expression. "Then your brother helped us fix our Zoids, and then we came here."

"Sounds like you had fun." Josh said.

"Well, what did you do?" Jake asked.

"I just traveled across the desert, and through jungles, and stopped a tribe of people in Mali from sacrificing children to Zoids."

"What?" Pepper burst out. "Sacrifice!"

"They had a village mechanic that had evidently persuaded them that Zoids were gods. He had built a hanger, and then decorated it like a temple."

"So he was taking place as a priest?" Jake asked.

"Yes, but he died in battle. I had a lot to make up for after they saw Gunner move on his own. They all screamed and then pushed a little girl in front of Gunner. You know how he is about being touched. So I had to calm him down. Then they called me a god for commanding the Zoid. Finally I took the girl into the hanger because no one wanted to go in, and when she came out she told the others what she saw."

"Dude, that is like the most twisted thing ever."

"Anyway, I got a band of them together and we headed here."

"So now where?" Jake asked.

"Well the Gundoms in Moscow are no longer a threat so I guess we will head east for China, and maybe Japan."

"Sounds good." Jake agreed.

"So what is going on with you and Liesa?" Pepper asked.

"Nothing." Josh said as his tone darkened a little. "Maybe once there was, but not now, and I do not think there ever will be."

The three sat silent for a moment before one of the British paramedics approached the fire.

"Are one of you Josh Talon?" He asked.

"I am."

"My name is Doctor Peter. The young lady you brought in earlier wishes to see you."

"How is she doing?" Josh asked as he stood to his feet.

"Fine, that one is a little fire ball. Wouldn't sit still for anything. We had to knock her out just to bandage her up."

"Bandage her up? Josh asked.

"Yes, she has a broken rib, but no other damage was done. As long as she takes care of it the bone should heal perfectly."

"Thank you Doctor."

"She is in the second tent to you right as you enter the medic camp."

As josh walked away Pepper leaned over to Jake.

"He likes her."

"Give it a rest mate." Jake said shaking his head.

Josh made his way through the camp glad to see so many happy faces again. Finally, he located the medic camp and walked to the tent pausing at the curtain before going in. Why should he go in there? What does she want to see me for? She probably wants to stay, but I cannot let her. She does not have a Zoid anymore so she will not be of any use and I do not want her in danger. Just before he was about to go in, Josh heard her start yelling from inside.

"Back off! I'm fine you moron!"

"But miss."

"You can't keep me here! Does it look like I'm hurt to you?!"

"As a matter of fact you are young lady and…!"

"Well who cares! I don't need a bunch of stethoscope monkeys for it to heal!"

"Please stay in the bed!"

"So I can rot! No thank you!"

Suddenly the curtain flung open and Liesa charged strait into Josh. She cringed from the impact, but remained standing.

"Having fun?" Josh asked.

"Oh, hi Josh." Liesa said embarrassed. "Sorry about all that." She said backing away from him.

"Now, let me guess. You want to stay with us."

"Josh." She started as the male nurse came through the curtain. "Get back in there!" Liesa snapped. "And get another patient in there, cause I'm not going back."

"Yes ma'am." The man said cowering back inside

"That was hardly fare after what they did for you." Josh told her.

"They cut my shirt." Liesa protested.

Josh looked down too see that they had snipped it off like a crock top and wrapped her upper body from waist up in bandages to half way up her neck excluding her arms.

"Anyway." She continued. "Actually I wanted to say good bye." She lied. "One of the officers has agreed to take me home tomorrow. Wherever it is this time."

"Well I do not think that is what you originally had in mind, but I am glad you finally faced the facts."

"What facts?" Liesa asked angrily.

"That you can't stay here." Josh replied. "This is no place for you."

"Oh what? You think I can't handle it?!"

"Your Zoid went down did it not?"

"Well so did yours so that makes us even."

"Hardly."

"Never mind Josh. We are going different paths. Good bye." Liesa said bitterly as she walked away with her arms folded in front over her stomach.

"Liesa!" Josh called after her.

What just happened? What had I been thinking? Josh thought to himself. Why could I have not been a little nicer? I do not like her, or at least I do not think I do, but if this is good bye I do not want it to end like this. I should have gone after her, but now she is out of sight and where am I supposed to find her in this camp. It is huge. Defeated and confused Josh walked back to his fire with hunched shoulders.

"What happened?" Pepper asked, taking note of his depressed appearance. "Did she die?"

"No." Josh answered.

"Well come on mate." Jake persisted. "Usually you have some big explanation. What happened?"

"She left."

"What do you mean she left?" Pepper asked.

"She ran off crying." Josh said shortly.

At that Jake tossed the stick in his hand to the ground.

"I knew you'd chase her off." He said with a judging tone. "Crikey I don't see why you seem so blind mate. Every bloomin chance you get you're tryin to dump her off."

"Because she is not any help. Nothing but extra baggage!"

"If that's the way you see it."

"And how do you see it?" Josh asked angrily. "You like her or something?"

"No!" Jake said with a disgusted look. "But you can't deny that you fought better when she was in the cockpit with you." Jake continued leaving Josh speechless. "I can't explain it, but you know it's true."

Josh started to open his mouth to protest, but had nothing to say as he sat down by the fire silently. Why do I fight better with her? Why had Gunner let her in the cockpit? Did Gunner sense something in her? Maybe leaving her behind was not the right thing to do. Josh sighed.

"It is too late now. I already blew it. I was lucky enough to get her back the first time, but it would be too much to ask her to stay now."

"So you do like her." Pepper teased.

"No, but I think Gunner does."

"What do you mean?" Pepper asked confused and a little disgusted.

"I am not sure, but it does not matter anymore."

"Go find her then mate." Jake said.

Suddenly X's words rang through his head from their last meeting.

"Have you been talking with X?" Josh asked.

"X?" Pepper asked.

"That is right." Josh said. "You guys do not know. X is our mystery man. He is the one that kept Liesa and me together the first time. All right, I'll go find her." Then he sighed. "But it won't be easy."

"We can help." Pepper offered.

"No." Josh said. "I have to do this one."

"We understand mate. Now get goin."

Pepper watched him for a few seconds and then turned back to Jake.

"He likes her." He stated.

Jake just shook his head and smiled.

"I think you're on to somthin mate."


After all they have endured and all Liesa's efforts, is her love to die here so fare from home or can Josh find her in time? Why does Josh fight better with Liesa in the cockpit, and what is the connection with Gunner? Can the groupe be reuninted and can they ever acomplish their goal of ridding the world of the Gundom? Find the answeres to a few of these questions and more with the next posting coming soon.

PLEASE! Someone help me with this formatting! It's driving me crazy and nothing I try works. Ugh.... anyway, my postings will be a bit more random from now on, as in more frequent, because I know you all are itching for new matrial so keep your eyes peeled and I'll be getting them out fast as my nine tails can chuck them. Now I must go to start doing just that so I'll see you all soon. Happy Writing.

9TailedFox.