Zoids-S
Episode 7: The Arrival of the WARLords
Across the sandy desert rode a single Zoid. By its gorilla-shape, one would assume it was an
Iron Kong, or a Hammer Rock, but this Zoid has undergone so many modifications that it was even
given a new name: the Konger.
The Konger was piloted by Ashley Coller of the Zoid Battle Commission. She was basically an
errand girl for the ZBC. It wasn't as harsh as the name sounded, she was actually the hand of
the ZBC. Not only that, but she was a pretty good Zoid pilot herself, losing only once to former
Zoid mercenary Brad Hunter. Her Konger was modified with heavy gataling weapons on each shoulder
and iron spikes underneath the hands which made up her Strike Iron Knuckle attack as well as
enhanced armor and weapons.
The Zoid was strong, no argument there, but it wasn't fast. And if there was one thing Ashley
needed right now, it was speed.
"They're almost on me," she gasped as she turned around. Behind her, approaching rapidly were
several extremely fast Zoids: a Sinker, a Hellcat, a Saber Tiger, two Guysacks and a Molga. And
close behind them, their leader and the most powerful Zoid of the group, the Elephander. All the
Zoids were painted black. Ashley thought about turning and fighting them, but she needed to get
the information she had back to the Zoid Battle Commission. And fighting against the Elephander,
a Zoid with such perfect attack and defense abilities, would be suicide. Unfortunately, it
didn't seem like she was given much of a choice.
From the sky came a Salamander, an aerial Zoid with the speed of a Storm Sworder and the
firepower of a Raynos. It launched several grenades blocking the Konger's way then followed it
up with an attack from its 80mm forward-facing cannons.
"Looks like I have no choice but to fight," Ashley said. She turned the Konger and charged
towards the group. The Konger leaped into the air and came down hard on one of the Guysacks. It
then turned and fired its gataling cannons at the Saber Tiger and the Hellcat. The Saber Tiger
went down but the Hellcat remained, firing the beam launcher it was equipped.
Ashley was concentrating on the Hellcat so she failed to notice the sinker ramming the back of
the Konger's knees then going under the sand causing the Konger to fall to its back. By then,
the Elephander had approached. Ashley got ready to fire her gataling cannons again but the
Elephander formed an energy blade with its trunk and sliced them off.
"No, I have to get out of here. Strike Iron Knuckle!" The Konger brought its hand up to punch
but the second Guysack stopped that by literally sitting on it.
"If you think you're getting that information back to those babies, then you're as mistaken as
they are," the Elephander pilot said. The other Zoid pilots laughed at Ashley's predicament.
The Elephander raised its right front foot and brought it down on the Konger's stomach. Ashley
screamed as the Elephander proceeded to pummel the Konger.
"One... chance," Ashley muttered. The Konger's hand grabbed one of the gataling rifles and
swung it like a club. It actually succeeded in denting the Elephander's trunk.
"You little witch, you'll pay for that!" Ashley laughed but then the Konger's cockpit went dark.
Apparently, the Elephander hit the Konger's power source. The gorilla fell to the ground.
"Well, fitting payback, don't you think?" The Elephander resumed its relentless assault against
the Konger.
Suddenly, the second Guysack was struck with energy blasts from behind. The attackers turned to
see a blue and white snail-shaped vehicle coming their way, all weapons on it firing with
incredible fury. The vehicle stopped before the top opened and a launch ramp popped out.
"The Blitz Team," Ashley muttered just before she lost consciousness.
In the cockpit, Doc. Torros spoke on an intercom. "Bit, Brad, Jamie, mobilize on the double!"
"Roger," the three boys answered back.
"Bit Cloud, mobilizing Liger Zero-Jager!" The blue Liger catapulted forward and went straight
for the Elephander.
"Brad Hunter, mobilizing Shadow Fox!" The Shadow Fox went for the Sinker.
"Jamie Hemeros, mobilizing Raynos!" The green air-born Zoid was launched. It immediately
went into moch 2, looping wide and coming down to attack the Salamander.
"Take care of these interlopers," the Elephander pilot ordered. The Sinker, Saber Tiger, and
Hellcat all went forward to meet them in battle.
"Oh no you don't." That came from Leena Toros, who was still in the HoverCargo firing the
weapons with pure satisfaction.
"Keep firing, Leena," her father instructed. "I'm going to maneuver in close so we can retrieve
the Konger."
Leena actually managed a successful hit, taking the Sinker out with a barrage of gun fire.
Meanwhile, the Salamander and the Raynos were having a dog fight a few miles above the ground.
Jamie, now known as the Wild Eagle, had the pilot of the Salamander second-guessing everything.
The Raynos surpassed the speed of sound causing a sonic boom to knock the Salamander out of the
sky.
"Hah," Wild Eagle laughed. "That flying hat box was no match for the Wild Eagle."
"I have to destroy you while I still have the chance," the Elephander pilot said in reference to
Ashley.
Bit and Brad said at the same time. "Strike Laser Claw!" The two Zoids came at the Elephander
from both sides. Their combined attacks ripped a nice hole in the side of the big Zoid.
"Elephanders may be powerful, but they're easy targets," Bit said.
The HoverCargo pulled up to the Konger. The front hatch, the compartment that was originally
meant for the Dibison, opened up and two grappling claws pulled the Konger into it. The hatch
closed again.
"Leena, full reverse," Doc. Torros called. "I'm putting up the shield." The HoverCargo began
backing up while energizing its shield allowing the blasts from the attacker Zoids to bounce off.
"Everybody scatter!" Doc. Torros announced. Liger Zero-Jager activated its ion boosters and
propelled at incredible speeds away. The Raynos jetted up into the air, vanishing in the clouds.
The Shadow Fox activated its cloaking shield.
The Elephander pilot let out a scream of fury. "All WARLords, fall back." The Zoids retreated
into the distance, not knowing the Shadow Fox was still there.
"The WARLords?" Brad asked himself. "What are they?"
The mighty Ultrasaurus served as the headquarters for the Zoid Battle Commission. The ZBC was
the organization who oversaw Zoid battles as well as a peacekeeping and defense agency. In the
control room, the heads of the Commission were having a meeting of a disturbing nature.
"Sir, two hours has elapsed and Ashley still hasn't reported in," an officer spoke out. "I hate
to say it, but it's possible that she might've been discovered and..."
"We can't go thinking like that," the Chairman of the Commission said. "Ashley Coller was sent
on a mission that might be vital to the survival of the Zoid Battle Commission, maybe even the
world. We can't thik of failure at such a critical time. Trust me, Ashley will come through for
us."
"The Konger's transponder signal went offline a while ago," a technician reported. "Maybe Ashley
found an alternate source of transportation."
The Chairman grimmed. Obviously, the young technician was trying to be optimistic. It was a
good attempt, but he was about ready to write Ashley off for dead.
The HoverCargo cruised along heading in no particular direction. Doc. Torros didn't want to risk
the Zoids that attacked the Konger following them back to their base. Along the way, they picked
up Bit, Brad, and Jamie. Right now, Jamie and Doc. Toros were looking over the Konger, or what
was left of it. Bit and Leena walked in.
"What's the diagnosis, Doc?" Bit asked.
"Well the armor has dents within dents," Doc. Toros began reading off the list of damages. "The
power source has been completely destroyed, and the command system has been corrupted. But
considering it's been trampled on by an Elephander, I say it looks pretty good, wouldn't you?"
Bit and Leena shared a pained look.
"I guess we're just lucky the Konger's armor was so thick otherwise Ashley's body would've been
among this wreckage," Jamie said.
"You don't think it was the Backdraft Group that attacked Ashley, do you?" Leena asked.
"That would be my guess," Bit agreed. "There was an Elephander with it."
"I don't think it was," Doc. Toros muttered. The children stared at them.
"What do you mean, Doc?" Jamie asked. Doc. Torros lead them back to the cockpit where Brad was
at the helm.
"True, the Backdraft Group use dangerous methods to win, but they still act under the assumption
that Zoid battling is an honorable competition between warriors. If they didn't think so, they
wouldn't have created the Dark Judge to oversee the unsanctioned matches. The guys who we fought
today acted like they were on a search and destroy mission. They used random Zoids instead of
sending their teams out in the same Zoids. The attackers may have an Elephander, but they aren't
part of the Backdraft Group."
"Doc's right," Brad said. He caught the tail end of the conversation as the others came onto the
cockpit. "After you guys left, I heard their leader sound the retreat order. They called
themselves the WARLords."
"The WARLords?" Leena said. "What are they?"
"They're terrorists." Everybody turned to see Ashley limp into the cockpit. Her head and leg
was bandaged, her left arm was in a sling and she had a bandaid on her neck and a black eye.
Her face looked pale but her eyes had a dark look to them. Her ZBC jumpsuit was in tattered
ribbons when she arrived so now she was down to a gray sports bra and drawstring sweat shorts of
the same color.
"Ashley, you should be in bed," Jamie said.
"The only way you'd make me get into bed is if you trapped me there with metal clamps and even
then I would break out."
"At least sit down," Doc. Toros said offering his chair. Ashley decided that for the people who
saved her life, the least she could do was accept their hospitality. She sat down.
"You said they were terrorists," Brad reminded her. "What did you mean?"
Ashley sighed. "What I'm about to tell you is top-secret. Normally, I would deny everything,
but seeing as how Brad heard it from their lips..." Ashley cast a side glance at Brad. Leena
and her father shared a look. Normally, Ashley wouldn't call Brad by his first name, but rather
"Mr. Hunter." This apparently was serious.
"The WARLords are a terrorist group," Ashley explained. "Apparently, they've been around since
the forming of the Zoid Battle Commission, maybe even before then." Leena gasped, Bit's eyes
narrowed, Brad and Doc. Torros grimaced. "They feel like they have to prove something to the
Zoid Battle Commission."
"What's that?" Jamie asked leaning against the railing.
"That we're using Zoids for the wrong reasons."
The entire Blitz Team reacted in surprise. "The wrong reasons? Well how should we be using
Zoids?"
"I don't know. I was sent on an undercover assignment to find out their strength and extension
of influence. But somehow they found out about me. I took off to warn the Zoid Battle
Comm ission but they sent their most powerful Zoids after me. Obviously, that's where you came
in."
"The battle wasn't far from our base," Jamie informed. "When we went to investigate, we
discovered you in a jam so we came to your rescue."
"I have to take my findings to the Zoid Battle Commission," Ashley said. "If I don't, we're all
doomed. That's why I have to take the Konger to the Ultrasaurus. We're pretty sure they've
tapped our communications." Ashley started to get up, although staggered might've been a better
word.
"Sit down," Doc. Torros said firmly. "You're in no position to pilot a tricycle let alone a
Zoid and your Konger's in even worse shape than you are. We'll take you. Besides, if your
findings are so important, then the HoverCargo can get there much quickly than the Konger."
Ashley looked around at the Blitz Team. They all had smiles on their faces, even Brad, the guy
whom she tried to throw out of Class-S a couple of weeks ago. Why would they help her out?
Especially since only a few weeks ago, she was trying to throw one of their own out of Class-S.
She felt like she didn't deserve their kindness, but something deep down told her that she could
rely on all of them, even Brad. She smiled. "Thank you. Thank you, all."
Doc. Torros turned to Jamie. "Jamie?"
"You got it, Doc," Jamie said sounding a little bit like his Wild Eagle persona. He ran down to
the helm and sat in the seat. "Setting a course for the Zoid Battle Commission Headquarters!
Full steam ahead!" The HoverCargo did a U-Turn and headed off to the Ultrasaurus.
In a deep underground bunker, a man bent on one knee in a genuflect. Before him was a figure
cloaked in dark robes, his face hidden behind a ski mask, goggles, and some sort of mouth piece
that was obviously a voice synthesizer.
"You have failed me," the voice on the screen said. "She will bring what she knows to the Zoid
Battle Commission."
"I apologize, sir, we were caught off-guard. She apparently had some allies waiting until the
time was right."
"The Zoid Battle Commission must see the error of their ways. We must attack them now."
"Attack the Ultrasaurus? But sir, there isn't a Zoid around that can stand up to an Ultrasaurus,
not even a Whale King."
"The Zoid Battle Commission is weak from their 'games'. They will be no match for you."
"Aye-aye, sir. We will mobilize at once."
The HoverCargo still had some ways to go before it reached the Ultrasaurus so most of the Blitz
Team decided to get some sleep. The only one awake was Jamie who was at the controls. He heard
the doors open and someone sit down and start up the computer. After a minute more, Jamie set
the autopilot controls and turned around. Ashley was sitting at the Doc's station looking
through some files.
"Ashley, I thought you would be asleep," Jamie said.
"I've had enough sleep thank you."
Jamie was caught off-guard by Ashley's tone. "Uh... sorry."
Ashley was caught off-guard by her tone too. "No... I'm sorry, I just can't help feeling
useless."
Jamie could see that Ashley felt uncomfortable about expressing her feelings so he decided to
change the subject. "Is that the information on the WARLords?"
"Yeah. I manage to download a copy of their general database onto a microchip just before I was
found out. Hopefully, when the Zoid Battle Commission looks them over, they can figure out a
countermeasure to their actions. We already figured out that they use black Zoids and paint the
Zoids that aren't black. At least that way, we know how to differentiate them."
"They really seemed serious about destroying your Konger. It's like they're trying to start a
war with the whole planet."
"I hope it doesn't come to that. This planet has seen enough war to last a lifetime."
An alarm came from the helm consol. Jamie headed on back down.
"Looks like we're coming upon a battlefield." Sure enough, there was a Zoid battle, but there
was no Judge capsule, light or dark. Plus the battle participants. A team of six Gojulas
against a variety of Zoids that were all the same color: black. That meant they could only be
one group: the WARLords.
Jamie slammed the intercom. "Get up, everybody! The WARLords are right in front of us!"
"Oh my God!" Ashley gasped. "Those aren't any normal Gojulas, those are the Zoid Battle
Commission's security squad! That meant that the Ultrasaurus is under attack."
In no time, the others were up and in the cockpit.
"Can't we go around them?" Bit asked still adjusting his vest. Suddenly the HoverCargo
shuddered as it was hailed with gunfire.
"Not any more, they've spotted us!" Leena said.
"We're about twenty miles from the Ultrasaurus," Jamie reported. "But the WARLords have already
seen us. Sorry, Ashley, it looks like we won't be able to get you there."
"Not alive anyway," Brad muttered as the HoverCargo was hit.
"Yes we will," Doc. Torros said. "Bit can take you."
"Huh?" Everybody chorused.
"If there's any Zoid that can cover that distance in a short amount of time, it's the Liger Zero.
Leena, Brad, get to the gun turrets on the double. Jamie, energize the shield.
"Come on, Ashley." Bit helped her to the loading bay. Fortunately, the Liger Zero was at the
top so they could launch first.
The Liger Zero lowered its head and the hatch opened. Bit jumped into the cockpit and the
harness lowered. Ashley stared at the Liger Zero, wondering where she was going to sit. She
couldn't sit in front of him, that would block his vision. There was no room on either side.
Bit moved his seat forward so it was practically on top of the compartment that the Zoid Gear
was inserted into. Fortunately, he wouldn't need it.
"Ashley, hop in." Bit gestured to a small space behind the cockpit chair. Ashley hauled herself
up and into the Liger Zero's cockpit.
"All right, Liger, here's the game plan, we're going to blitz through the battlefield and head
towards the Ultrasaurus." The Liger let out a series of roars. "Liger, our primary task is to
take Ashley to the Ultrasaurus." He smiled. "But if they just happen to block our way..."
"Bit, are you and Ashley ready to go?" Doc. Torros asked.
Bit looked behind at Ashley. She nodded. "Ready to go, Doc. Should I transform into Zero-Jager
to be on the safe side?"
"No, the Zoids the WARLords are using don't seem to be primarily built for speed, only power.
All right. Launching Liger Zero!"
"I guess this is a bad time to mention I'm not used to asking or receiving assistance," Ashley
said as the Liger was connected to the catapult.
"Yup," Bit replied before yelling out "GOOOO, LIGER!" Ashley held on to the head of Bit's chair
as the Liger was launched from the catapult. As the Liger began to fall to the ground, a Saber
Tiger leaped up attending to stop the Liger from proceeding any further.
"Watch out for that Saber Tiger!" Ashley warned.
"No problem. Strike Laser Claw!" The energized claw tore into the Saber Tiger's armor shell.
The Liger touched down successfully and began to move forward. Two black Rev Rapters stood in
its way but a quick double blast from the shot cannon took them out of the fight.
"Here we go," Bit said as he activated the Liger's ion booster. "YAHOO!"
"You guys are crazy," Ashley said.
"Nope, just people who like to have fun." The Liger Zero soared like a rocket towards its
destination. Several times, WARLord Zoids moved to block but they couldn't even touch the Liger
Zero.
Soon the giant Ultrasaurus loomed up ahead, but a huge Zoid was attacking it. It was bigger
than a Whale King but not as big as the Ultrasaurus. It looked like a giant scorpion.
"What is that thing?" Bit asked.
"It's a Death Stinger!" Ashley realized.
"We have to go help them," Bit said.
"Wait a minute, Bit," Ashley protested. But it was too late. The Liger Zero leaped onto the
back of the Death Stinger.
"Foolish pilot," the Death Stinger operator grunted. The two large barrels began to power up.
"Watch out for those mortar cannons!" Ashley warned.
"Right. Double Strike Laser Claw!"
"Death Stinger Tail Strike!" The Death Stinger's tail batted Liger Zero away. Bit and Ashley
grunted as the Liger was thrown to the ground.
"You okay, Liger?" Bit asked. The Liger roared an affirmative. "Ashley, this is going to get
dangerous, I'm going to let you off by the Ultrasaurus."
"Bit, its energy shield is raised. Nobody will be able to get in."
"Aww shoot."
Ashley gave him a smile. "Don't worry, I know what to do. She leaned over and activated the
communication system. "Zoid Battle Commission, this is Ashley Coller, I'm on board the Liger
Zero. Please deactivate the energy shield."
The screen showed the Chairman of the ZBC, the same man who spoke to Bit when he won the Royal
Cup. "Ashley, thank heavens you're alive, but we're currently under assault. If we lower the
shield, the Death Stinger will attack us."
"This is Bit Cloud of the Blitz Team," Bit spoke up. "I have an idea. I'm going to distract the
Death Stinger just long enough for Ashley to enter the perimeter of the shield."
"Bit Cloud... yes, you won the Royal Cup. But the Death Stinger is not like the Beserk Fury.
Your Liger won't be able to defeat it."
"I'm not expecting it to," Bit said. "Just distract it."
The Liger Zero lowered its head and the hatch opened.
"Be careful, Bit," Ashley said hobbling out.
But the Death Stinger pilot saw her. "Oh no you don't, your secrets die with you."
"Not today!" Bit cried as the Liger Zero chomped down on the Death Stinger's tail. The Death
Stinger flicked the tail and the Liger Zero went flying again.
"This isn't working like I thought," Bit said. "I sure wish the Doc was here."
"Ask and you shall receive." The HoverCargo appeared. "Brad, Leena, and the security squad
have that battle covered. Bit, come on back, I think I have something you need."
"I read you, Doc." The Liger quickly retreated into the HoverCargo. The Death Stinger got ready
to fired its main weapon, the supercharged particle gun.
But its back was to the Ultrasaurus who fired its shot rockets. The pilot grunted and fired the
particle gun. The HoverCargo backed up so that the shield won't take such a hard hit from it but
the bea, still defeated the energy shield.
"And now you die... huh?" The side panel on the HoverCargo opened and a large green Liger was
dropped onto the battlefield.
The Liger Zero-Panzer.
"All right, WARLord," Bit said. "Let's see how you do against the Panzer. Hybrid cannons fire!"
The two large cannons on the Panzer's back fired, knocking the mortar cannons off. The tail
moved to fire the particle gun but the Ultrasaurus fired the two main cannons disabeled it.
The pilot grunted. "This has been a total waste of my time, I knew attacking an Ultrasaurus was
a bad idea. All WARLords retreat!" The Death Stinger turned around and ran away.
"Great job, Bit," Doc. Torros congratulated just before his face was replaced by that of a masked
man.
"Beware, Zoid Battle Commission," it said. "We are the WARLords." The transmission was
broadcasting everywhere, the Ultrasaurus, the HoverCargo, Zero-Panzer, the Judge Satellite and
every communication frequency that a Zoid team uses. "For too long, we have sat idly by while
you abuse the power given to you. The original purpose of Zoids were as war machines, tools of
destructions, stallions of battle, but you have corrupted it with your silly games and childish
rules. We are here to remind you of the true purpose of Zoid battling, to destroy the enemy. So
watch out, Zoid Battle Commission, because the WARLords are here." The voice let out a sinister
laugh before going off-line.
"Something tells me our problems are just beginning," Bit told Liger. Even with all the armor
on, Liger manage to nod his head.
Leena: So why does Bit tense up every time we go into Vanguard City? Maybe it has something to
do with that female Lightning Saix pilot of the Flash Team... Hold the train, she's Bit's WHAT?!
Boy, just when you think you know a guy. Next time on Zoids: "Bit's Reunion: Rematch with the
Flash Team." Ready... FIGHT!
Episode 7: The Arrival of the WARLords
Across the sandy desert rode a single Zoid. By its gorilla-shape, one would assume it was an
Iron Kong, or a Hammer Rock, but this Zoid has undergone so many modifications that it was even
given a new name: the Konger.
The Konger was piloted by Ashley Coller of the Zoid Battle Commission. She was basically an
errand girl for the ZBC. It wasn't as harsh as the name sounded, she was actually the hand of
the ZBC. Not only that, but she was a pretty good Zoid pilot herself, losing only once to former
Zoid mercenary Brad Hunter. Her Konger was modified with heavy gataling weapons on each shoulder
and iron spikes underneath the hands which made up her Strike Iron Knuckle attack as well as
enhanced armor and weapons.
The Zoid was strong, no argument there, but it wasn't fast. And if there was one thing Ashley
needed right now, it was speed.
"They're almost on me," she gasped as she turned around. Behind her, approaching rapidly were
several extremely fast Zoids: a Sinker, a Hellcat, a Saber Tiger, two Guysacks and a Molga. And
close behind them, their leader and the most powerful Zoid of the group, the Elephander. All the
Zoids were painted black. Ashley thought about turning and fighting them, but she needed to get
the information she had back to the Zoid Battle Commission. And fighting against the Elephander,
a Zoid with such perfect attack and defense abilities, would be suicide. Unfortunately, it
didn't seem like she was given much of a choice.
From the sky came a Salamander, an aerial Zoid with the speed of a Storm Sworder and the
firepower of a Raynos. It launched several grenades blocking the Konger's way then followed it
up with an attack from its 80mm forward-facing cannons.
"Looks like I have no choice but to fight," Ashley said. She turned the Konger and charged
towards the group. The Konger leaped into the air and came down hard on one of the Guysacks. It
then turned and fired its gataling cannons at the Saber Tiger and the Hellcat. The Saber Tiger
went down but the Hellcat remained, firing the beam launcher it was equipped.
Ashley was concentrating on the Hellcat so she failed to notice the sinker ramming the back of
the Konger's knees then going under the sand causing the Konger to fall to its back. By then,
the Elephander had approached. Ashley got ready to fire her gataling cannons again but the
Elephander formed an energy blade with its trunk and sliced them off.
"No, I have to get out of here. Strike Iron Knuckle!" The Konger brought its hand up to punch
but the second Guysack stopped that by literally sitting on it.
"If you think you're getting that information back to those babies, then you're as mistaken as
they are," the Elephander pilot said. The other Zoid pilots laughed at Ashley's predicament.
The Elephander raised its right front foot and brought it down on the Konger's stomach. Ashley
screamed as the Elephander proceeded to pummel the Konger.
"One... chance," Ashley muttered. The Konger's hand grabbed one of the gataling rifles and
swung it like a club. It actually succeeded in denting the Elephander's trunk.
"You little witch, you'll pay for that!" Ashley laughed but then the Konger's cockpit went dark.
Apparently, the Elephander hit the Konger's power source. The gorilla fell to the ground.
"Well, fitting payback, don't you think?" The Elephander resumed its relentless assault against
the Konger.
Suddenly, the second Guysack was struck with energy blasts from behind. The attackers turned to
see a blue and white snail-shaped vehicle coming their way, all weapons on it firing with
incredible fury. The vehicle stopped before the top opened and a launch ramp popped out.
"The Blitz Team," Ashley muttered just before she lost consciousness.
In the cockpit, Doc. Torros spoke on an intercom. "Bit, Brad, Jamie, mobilize on the double!"
"Roger," the three boys answered back.
"Bit Cloud, mobilizing Liger Zero-Jager!" The blue Liger catapulted forward and went straight
for the Elephander.
"Brad Hunter, mobilizing Shadow Fox!" The Shadow Fox went for the Sinker.
"Jamie Hemeros, mobilizing Raynos!" The green air-born Zoid was launched. It immediately
went into moch 2, looping wide and coming down to attack the Salamander.
"Take care of these interlopers," the Elephander pilot ordered. The Sinker, Saber Tiger, and
Hellcat all went forward to meet them in battle.
"Oh no you don't." That came from Leena Toros, who was still in the HoverCargo firing the
weapons with pure satisfaction.
"Keep firing, Leena," her father instructed. "I'm going to maneuver in close so we can retrieve
the Konger."
Leena actually managed a successful hit, taking the Sinker out with a barrage of gun fire.
Meanwhile, the Salamander and the Raynos were having a dog fight a few miles above the ground.
Jamie, now known as the Wild Eagle, had the pilot of the Salamander second-guessing everything.
The Raynos surpassed the speed of sound causing a sonic boom to knock the Salamander out of the
sky.
"Hah," Wild Eagle laughed. "That flying hat box was no match for the Wild Eagle."
"I have to destroy you while I still have the chance," the Elephander pilot said in reference to
Ashley.
Bit and Brad said at the same time. "Strike Laser Claw!" The two Zoids came at the Elephander
from both sides. Their combined attacks ripped a nice hole in the side of the big Zoid.
"Elephanders may be powerful, but they're easy targets," Bit said.
The HoverCargo pulled up to the Konger. The front hatch, the compartment that was originally
meant for the Dibison, opened up and two grappling claws pulled the Konger into it. The hatch
closed again.
"Leena, full reverse," Doc. Torros called. "I'm putting up the shield." The HoverCargo began
backing up while energizing its shield allowing the blasts from the attacker Zoids to bounce off.
"Everybody scatter!" Doc. Torros announced. Liger Zero-Jager activated its ion boosters and
propelled at incredible speeds away. The Raynos jetted up into the air, vanishing in the clouds.
The Shadow Fox activated its cloaking shield.
The Elephander pilot let out a scream of fury. "All WARLords, fall back." The Zoids retreated
into the distance, not knowing the Shadow Fox was still there.
"The WARLords?" Brad asked himself. "What are they?"
The mighty Ultrasaurus served as the headquarters for the Zoid Battle Commission. The ZBC was
the organization who oversaw Zoid battles as well as a peacekeeping and defense agency. In the
control room, the heads of the Commission were having a meeting of a disturbing nature.
"Sir, two hours has elapsed and Ashley still hasn't reported in," an officer spoke out. "I hate
to say it, but it's possible that she might've been discovered and..."
"We can't go thinking like that," the Chairman of the Commission said. "Ashley Coller was sent
on a mission that might be vital to the survival of the Zoid Battle Commission, maybe even the
world. We can't thik of failure at such a critical time. Trust me, Ashley will come through for
us."
"The Konger's transponder signal went offline a while ago," a technician reported. "Maybe Ashley
found an alternate source of transportation."
The Chairman grimmed. Obviously, the young technician was trying to be optimistic. It was a
good attempt, but he was about ready to write Ashley off for dead.
The HoverCargo cruised along heading in no particular direction. Doc. Torros didn't want to risk
the Zoids that attacked the Konger following them back to their base. Along the way, they picked
up Bit, Brad, and Jamie. Right now, Jamie and Doc. Toros were looking over the Konger, or what
was left of it. Bit and Leena walked in.
"What's the diagnosis, Doc?" Bit asked.
"Well the armor has dents within dents," Doc. Toros began reading off the list of damages. "The
power source has been completely destroyed, and the command system has been corrupted. But
considering it's been trampled on by an Elephander, I say it looks pretty good, wouldn't you?"
Bit and Leena shared a pained look.
"I guess we're just lucky the Konger's armor was so thick otherwise Ashley's body would've been
among this wreckage," Jamie said.
"You don't think it was the Backdraft Group that attacked Ashley, do you?" Leena asked.
"That would be my guess," Bit agreed. "There was an Elephander with it."
"I don't think it was," Doc. Toros muttered. The children stared at them.
"What do you mean, Doc?" Jamie asked. Doc. Torros lead them back to the cockpit where Brad was
at the helm.
"True, the Backdraft Group use dangerous methods to win, but they still act under the assumption
that Zoid battling is an honorable competition between warriors. If they didn't think so, they
wouldn't have created the Dark Judge to oversee the unsanctioned matches. The guys who we fought
today acted like they were on a search and destroy mission. They used random Zoids instead of
sending their teams out in the same Zoids. The attackers may have an Elephander, but they aren't
part of the Backdraft Group."
"Doc's right," Brad said. He caught the tail end of the conversation as the others came onto the
cockpit. "After you guys left, I heard their leader sound the retreat order. They called
themselves the WARLords."
"The WARLords?" Leena said. "What are they?"
"They're terrorists." Everybody turned to see Ashley limp into the cockpit. Her head and leg
was bandaged, her left arm was in a sling and she had a bandaid on her neck and a black eye.
Her face looked pale but her eyes had a dark look to them. Her ZBC jumpsuit was in tattered
ribbons when she arrived so now she was down to a gray sports bra and drawstring sweat shorts of
the same color.
"Ashley, you should be in bed," Jamie said.
"The only way you'd make me get into bed is if you trapped me there with metal clamps and even
then I would break out."
"At least sit down," Doc. Toros said offering his chair. Ashley decided that for the people who
saved her life, the least she could do was accept their hospitality. She sat down.
"You said they were terrorists," Brad reminded her. "What did you mean?"
Ashley sighed. "What I'm about to tell you is top-secret. Normally, I would deny everything,
but seeing as how Brad heard it from their lips..." Ashley cast a side glance at Brad. Leena
and her father shared a look. Normally, Ashley wouldn't call Brad by his first name, but rather
"Mr. Hunter." This apparently was serious.
"The WARLords are a terrorist group," Ashley explained. "Apparently, they've been around since
the forming of the Zoid Battle Commission, maybe even before then." Leena gasped, Bit's eyes
narrowed, Brad and Doc. Torros grimaced. "They feel like they have to prove something to the
Zoid Battle Commission."
"What's that?" Jamie asked leaning against the railing.
"That we're using Zoids for the wrong reasons."
The entire Blitz Team reacted in surprise. "The wrong reasons? Well how should we be using
Zoids?"
"I don't know. I was sent on an undercover assignment to find out their strength and extension
of influence. But somehow they found out about me. I took off to warn the Zoid Battle
Comm ission but they sent their most powerful Zoids after me. Obviously, that's where you came
in."
"The battle wasn't far from our base," Jamie informed. "When we went to investigate, we
discovered you in a jam so we came to your rescue."
"I have to take my findings to the Zoid Battle Commission," Ashley said. "If I don't, we're all
doomed. That's why I have to take the Konger to the Ultrasaurus. We're pretty sure they've
tapped our communications." Ashley started to get up, although staggered might've been a better
word.
"Sit down," Doc. Torros said firmly. "You're in no position to pilot a tricycle let alone a
Zoid and your Konger's in even worse shape than you are. We'll take you. Besides, if your
findings are so important, then the HoverCargo can get there much quickly than the Konger."
Ashley looked around at the Blitz Team. They all had smiles on their faces, even Brad, the guy
whom she tried to throw out of Class-S a couple of weeks ago. Why would they help her out?
Especially since only a few weeks ago, she was trying to throw one of their own out of Class-S.
She felt like she didn't deserve their kindness, but something deep down told her that she could
rely on all of them, even Brad. She smiled. "Thank you. Thank you, all."
Doc. Torros turned to Jamie. "Jamie?"
"You got it, Doc," Jamie said sounding a little bit like his Wild Eagle persona. He ran down to
the helm and sat in the seat. "Setting a course for the Zoid Battle Commission Headquarters!
Full steam ahead!" The HoverCargo did a U-Turn and headed off to the Ultrasaurus.
In a deep underground bunker, a man bent on one knee in a genuflect. Before him was a figure
cloaked in dark robes, his face hidden behind a ski mask, goggles, and some sort of mouth piece
that was obviously a voice synthesizer.
"You have failed me," the voice on the screen said. "She will bring what she knows to the Zoid
Battle Commission."
"I apologize, sir, we were caught off-guard. She apparently had some allies waiting until the
time was right."
"The Zoid Battle Commission must see the error of their ways. We must attack them now."
"Attack the Ultrasaurus? But sir, there isn't a Zoid around that can stand up to an Ultrasaurus,
not even a Whale King."
"The Zoid Battle Commission is weak from their 'games'. They will be no match for you."
"Aye-aye, sir. We will mobilize at once."
The HoverCargo still had some ways to go before it reached the Ultrasaurus so most of the Blitz
Team decided to get some sleep. The only one awake was Jamie who was at the controls. He heard
the doors open and someone sit down and start up the computer. After a minute more, Jamie set
the autopilot controls and turned around. Ashley was sitting at the Doc's station looking
through some files.
"Ashley, I thought you would be asleep," Jamie said.
"I've had enough sleep thank you."
Jamie was caught off-guard by Ashley's tone. "Uh... sorry."
Ashley was caught off-guard by her tone too. "No... I'm sorry, I just can't help feeling
useless."
Jamie could see that Ashley felt uncomfortable about expressing her feelings so he decided to
change the subject. "Is that the information on the WARLords?"
"Yeah. I manage to download a copy of their general database onto a microchip just before I was
found out. Hopefully, when the Zoid Battle Commission looks them over, they can figure out a
countermeasure to their actions. We already figured out that they use black Zoids and paint the
Zoids that aren't black. At least that way, we know how to differentiate them."
"They really seemed serious about destroying your Konger. It's like they're trying to start a
war with the whole planet."
"I hope it doesn't come to that. This planet has seen enough war to last a lifetime."
An alarm came from the helm consol. Jamie headed on back down.
"Looks like we're coming upon a battlefield." Sure enough, there was a Zoid battle, but there
was no Judge capsule, light or dark. Plus the battle participants. A team of six Gojulas
against a variety of Zoids that were all the same color: black. That meant they could only be
one group: the WARLords.
Jamie slammed the intercom. "Get up, everybody! The WARLords are right in front of us!"
"Oh my God!" Ashley gasped. "Those aren't any normal Gojulas, those are the Zoid Battle
Commission's security squad! That meant that the Ultrasaurus is under attack."
In no time, the others were up and in the cockpit.
"Can't we go around them?" Bit asked still adjusting his vest. Suddenly the HoverCargo
shuddered as it was hailed with gunfire.
"Not any more, they've spotted us!" Leena said.
"We're about twenty miles from the Ultrasaurus," Jamie reported. "But the WARLords have already
seen us. Sorry, Ashley, it looks like we won't be able to get you there."
"Not alive anyway," Brad muttered as the HoverCargo was hit.
"Yes we will," Doc. Torros said. "Bit can take you."
"Huh?" Everybody chorused.
"If there's any Zoid that can cover that distance in a short amount of time, it's the Liger Zero.
Leena, Brad, get to the gun turrets on the double. Jamie, energize the shield.
"Come on, Ashley." Bit helped her to the loading bay. Fortunately, the Liger Zero was at the
top so they could launch first.
The Liger Zero lowered its head and the hatch opened. Bit jumped into the cockpit and the
harness lowered. Ashley stared at the Liger Zero, wondering where she was going to sit. She
couldn't sit in front of him, that would block his vision. There was no room on either side.
Bit moved his seat forward so it was practically on top of the compartment that the Zoid Gear
was inserted into. Fortunately, he wouldn't need it.
"Ashley, hop in." Bit gestured to a small space behind the cockpit chair. Ashley hauled herself
up and into the Liger Zero's cockpit.
"All right, Liger, here's the game plan, we're going to blitz through the battlefield and head
towards the Ultrasaurus." The Liger let out a series of roars. "Liger, our primary task is to
take Ashley to the Ultrasaurus." He smiled. "But if they just happen to block our way..."
"Bit, are you and Ashley ready to go?" Doc. Torros asked.
Bit looked behind at Ashley. She nodded. "Ready to go, Doc. Should I transform into Zero-Jager
to be on the safe side?"
"No, the Zoids the WARLords are using don't seem to be primarily built for speed, only power.
All right. Launching Liger Zero!"
"I guess this is a bad time to mention I'm not used to asking or receiving assistance," Ashley
said as the Liger was connected to the catapult.
"Yup," Bit replied before yelling out "GOOOO, LIGER!" Ashley held on to the head of Bit's chair
as the Liger was launched from the catapult. As the Liger began to fall to the ground, a Saber
Tiger leaped up attending to stop the Liger from proceeding any further.
"Watch out for that Saber Tiger!" Ashley warned.
"No problem. Strike Laser Claw!" The energized claw tore into the Saber Tiger's armor shell.
The Liger touched down successfully and began to move forward. Two black Rev Rapters stood in
its way but a quick double blast from the shot cannon took them out of the fight.
"Here we go," Bit said as he activated the Liger's ion booster. "YAHOO!"
"You guys are crazy," Ashley said.
"Nope, just people who like to have fun." The Liger Zero soared like a rocket towards its
destination. Several times, WARLord Zoids moved to block but they couldn't even touch the Liger
Zero.
Soon the giant Ultrasaurus loomed up ahead, but a huge Zoid was attacking it. It was bigger
than a Whale King but not as big as the Ultrasaurus. It looked like a giant scorpion.
"What is that thing?" Bit asked.
"It's a Death Stinger!" Ashley realized.
"We have to go help them," Bit said.
"Wait a minute, Bit," Ashley protested. But it was too late. The Liger Zero leaped onto the
back of the Death Stinger.
"Foolish pilot," the Death Stinger operator grunted. The two large barrels began to power up.
"Watch out for those mortar cannons!" Ashley warned.
"Right. Double Strike Laser Claw!"
"Death Stinger Tail Strike!" The Death Stinger's tail batted Liger Zero away. Bit and Ashley
grunted as the Liger was thrown to the ground.
"You okay, Liger?" Bit asked. The Liger roared an affirmative. "Ashley, this is going to get
dangerous, I'm going to let you off by the Ultrasaurus."
"Bit, its energy shield is raised. Nobody will be able to get in."
"Aww shoot."
Ashley gave him a smile. "Don't worry, I know what to do. She leaned over and activated the
communication system. "Zoid Battle Commission, this is Ashley Coller, I'm on board the Liger
Zero. Please deactivate the energy shield."
The screen showed the Chairman of the ZBC, the same man who spoke to Bit when he won the Royal
Cup. "Ashley, thank heavens you're alive, but we're currently under assault. If we lower the
shield, the Death Stinger will attack us."
"This is Bit Cloud of the Blitz Team," Bit spoke up. "I have an idea. I'm going to distract the
Death Stinger just long enough for Ashley to enter the perimeter of the shield."
"Bit Cloud... yes, you won the Royal Cup. But the Death Stinger is not like the Beserk Fury.
Your Liger won't be able to defeat it."
"I'm not expecting it to," Bit said. "Just distract it."
The Liger Zero lowered its head and the hatch opened.
"Be careful, Bit," Ashley said hobbling out.
But the Death Stinger pilot saw her. "Oh no you don't, your secrets die with you."
"Not today!" Bit cried as the Liger Zero chomped down on the Death Stinger's tail. The Death
Stinger flicked the tail and the Liger Zero went flying again.
"This isn't working like I thought," Bit said. "I sure wish the Doc was here."
"Ask and you shall receive." The HoverCargo appeared. "Brad, Leena, and the security squad
have that battle covered. Bit, come on back, I think I have something you need."
"I read you, Doc." The Liger quickly retreated into the HoverCargo. The Death Stinger got ready
to fired its main weapon, the supercharged particle gun.
But its back was to the Ultrasaurus who fired its shot rockets. The pilot grunted and fired the
particle gun. The HoverCargo backed up so that the shield won't take such a hard hit from it but
the bea, still defeated the energy shield.
"And now you die... huh?" The side panel on the HoverCargo opened and a large green Liger was
dropped onto the battlefield.
The Liger Zero-Panzer.
"All right, WARLord," Bit said. "Let's see how you do against the Panzer. Hybrid cannons fire!"
The two large cannons on the Panzer's back fired, knocking the mortar cannons off. The tail
moved to fire the particle gun but the Ultrasaurus fired the two main cannons disabeled it.
The pilot grunted. "This has been a total waste of my time, I knew attacking an Ultrasaurus was
a bad idea. All WARLords retreat!" The Death Stinger turned around and ran away.
"Great job, Bit," Doc. Torros congratulated just before his face was replaced by that of a masked
man.
"Beware, Zoid Battle Commission," it said. "We are the WARLords." The transmission was
broadcasting everywhere, the Ultrasaurus, the HoverCargo, Zero-Panzer, the Judge Satellite and
every communication frequency that a Zoid team uses. "For too long, we have sat idly by while
you abuse the power given to you. The original purpose of Zoids were as war machines, tools of
destructions, stallions of battle, but you have corrupted it with your silly games and childish
rules. We are here to remind you of the true purpose of Zoid battling, to destroy the enemy. So
watch out, Zoid Battle Commission, because the WARLords are here." The voice let out a sinister
laugh before going off-line.
"Something tells me our problems are just beginning," Bit told Liger. Even with all the armor
on, Liger manage to nod his head.
Leena: So why does Bit tense up every time we go into Vanguard City? Maybe it has something to
do with that female Lightning Saix pilot of the Flash Team... Hold the train, she's Bit's WHAT?!
Boy, just when you think you know a guy. Next time on Zoids: "Bit's Reunion: Rematch with the
Flash Team." Ready... FIGHT!