Author's note: It's gotten pretty quiet out there. I guess I'd better take a peek. *Opens door and slowly emerges to see my husband and Thomas playing Looney Tunes Racing on the Playstation 2. It appears that Thomas is playing with Marvin the Martian and getting badly beaten by my husband with Taz.* So, guys, how's it going?
Thomas: Your husband persuaded me to go easy on you since you still have a few chapters to go before you're finished. So I suggest you get over there and start working before I change my mind.
Shelly: Or you'll what?
Thomas: *Pins me with a glare.* Or else I'll get Karl himself over here to deal with you.
Shelly: *Thinks about it a moment.* Hmm, that might not be a bad idea. I might could endure a little punishment from him. ^.~
Husband: Hey! I heard that!
Shelly: *Slinks over to her computer muttering.* It appears that now I have another mouth to feed.
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Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it?
Loyalties of the Heart by Shelly
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Tania had often wondered what all the fuss was about having an organoid to boost a zoid's natural abilities and now she knew after having to continue on without Zeke there to help. The Saber Tiger seemed slower and less responsive to her commands than before and part of her wished that she hadn't asked the organoid to leave, but she knew that whatever happened Van would need his assistance more than she would.
Her thoughts began to wander, and she wondered what Karl was doing now. Had he decided to forgive her for what she did or did he still hold remorse towards her for deceiving him? And what was she to do about Irvine? It had been good to see him again and for each of them to reveal hidden feelings towards the other was a definite surprise neither of them had expected, leaving them both in an interesting position. She knew that Irvine would be more than happy to have her choose to be with him, but she couldn't just put her love for Karl aside so easily. She still loved him deeply and would stay with him if he wanted her; if he chose not to, then she knew that there was someone out there that she could turn to.
Soon the monotonous landscape gave way to a little more in the way of vegetation and wooded areas, and she noticed she was coming upon a small valley that held a ruined village in its embrace. She was curious to know if this was where they had relocated to, but where was the base located unless it was all underground? She studied the village's surroundings silently, unaware when a Rev Raptor came up behind her until the pilot asked for her name and rank. She gave him her name, and he seemed surprised to see her here, but he escorted her down towards the village, leading her to a large empty expanse of grass where they stopped and leaped out of their zoids.
He took out a remote and depressed the red button which soon had the ground beneath them shaking as two panels moved up and opened to reveal a platform which he moved her Saber Tiger onto. Returning to her side he punched the button once more and the platform lowered as the panels closed; she was amazed as she wouldn't have known that this was here unless she saw it for herself. They continued on foot towards the village where he took her to what had once been a small building; lifting a hatch, he beckoned her to descend the staircase which she could barely make out after being out in the bright sunlight for so long.
Once they reached the bottom, she realized that she was in the command center as soldiers moved around the complex completing the finishing touches that would have them fully operational soon. This command center was smaller than the one at their last base, but it was sufficient for their needs for now until their ultimate goal was achieved.
"Tania," a familiar voice greeted her. "How good it is to see you."
She turned towards the voice, her face showing no emotions that would betray her even though she was shaking inside. "Colonel Tragar," she replied.
He gazed at her a moment, and she wondered what was going through his mind. Had he guessed that she had betrayed him and was thinking of a proper punishment for her? "If you would be so kind as to follow me to my office, we have many things to discuss."
She fell in behind him as he led her out from the command center and into a small room that she guessed was used for interrogations. Once seated, he offered her coffee but she declined. "Just go ahead and get it over with," she said. "I know you too well to be fooled by your hospitality."
Tragar smiled. "Same as ever, I see. I had feared that you had changed your loyalties, something that your failure spoke loudly about. You were supposed to capture the Guardian Force, although Colonel Shubaltz would have been a nice addition also as he is also a traitor to the Empire. Those that would willingly help the Republic deserve the same death that a traitor deserves."
She managed to keep her fear under control at the thought that if Karl had been captured they would've killed him. "You can blame your men for that," she replied. "I had found the perfect place to make my move but they attacked and collapsed the tunnel we were in, separating us so that Colonel Shubaltz and his brother were able to escape."
"Is that how your injury came about?"
She eyed him warily. "Yes, it was. I sprained it in the collapse of the tunnel."
He rose from his seat and moved around to kneel in front of her. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to her injured foot.
"You don't believe me?" she inquired.
"Let's just say that I want to make sure you're not bluffing," he replied as he removed the brace. "It looks pretty bad. And yet you're still able to walk on it."
"I can deal with pain better than some," she answered, sensing she was treading on thin ice.
"Hmm, let's see how well," he said, quickly drawing his gun and shooting her in the leg, his face expressionless.
She cried out as she fell to the floor, her hands clutching at her leg as waves of pain shot through it, tears streaming down her face. But when she looked up at him, her anger overtook her as she saw his smug smile of satisfaction and she slipped a dagger from her boot before lurching to her feet and slicing at him with the blade. "You bastard!"
He easily dodged the attack and knocked her to the floor with a blow to her stomach. She doubled over as the dagger fell to the floor, gasping for air. "I'm impressed," he said. "I guess you do have a high tolerance for pain and a fighting spirit as well. At one time I would've have given you the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I don't think you're worthy enough. But I'm not going to kill you yet as I still have some use for you alive."
His words penetrated her fog of pain, and she grasped the dagger in her trembling hand and drove it into his nearby foot, hearing his howl of pain as well as feeling his foot sink into her midsection, the kick sending her sliding across the room and crashing into the wall. Two soldiers ran into the room and quickly surveyed the situation, one of them running over to Tragar while the other bound Tania's hands behind her back.
Tragar motioned for the soldier to sit her up against the wall, and she felt herself hauled roughly to her feet and thrown back against the wall, collapsing to her knees with a cry of pain as her full weight came upon her injured leg and ankle. A rough hand seized her hair and yanked her head up so that she looked directly into Tragar's eyes. "As I said, those who are traitors to the Empire deserve to die a long, painful death, but I'll save that for later where you're concerned."
"You're the one who's the traitor, Colonel," she spat the title derisively. "The war's been over for four years. It's time for peace to have its try in the world. But as far as the Imperial Army is concerned, your rank was stripped when you left to pursue your own twisted ambitions just as my father did. And you'll end up dying just like him, mark my words."
His face twisted in a mask of rage, he grabbed his pistol by the barrel and slammed the butt end into her jaw, her head snapping violently to the side as she felt a trickle of blood run down the side of her mouth. "Take her to the doctor so he can patch her up," Tragar growled. "We may need to use her as ransom, and it wouldn't do for them to see her in such bad condition."
"Yes, sir," the soldier replied before hauling her to her feet and practically dragging her down the hallway to the infirmary where he dropped her onto the floor. "Hey, Doc! Got ya another patient here, but be careful with her. Colonel says she might be of some use to us later on."
The doctor appeared, a middle-aged man with graying brown hair. "Then why did you rough her up like you did? Hey!" he cried when the soldier turned to leave. "I need you to at least take these handcuffs off so I can insert an IV properly." After her handcuffs were removed and the soldier gone, he kneeled down next to her prone body and gently turned her head to look her over. "Come on," he urged in a softer tone of voice. "Think you can walk far enough till I can get you on a table?"
Her jaw felt like it was swelling to gigantic proportions as waves of pain washed over her in rhythm with her heartbeat. "I think so," she rasped, struggling slowly to her feet with his assistance. Thankfully she didn't have far to go before he helped her onto an examining table, advising her to lay back, and that was when the darkness of unconsciousness came to claim her, taking her into its blessed embrace that promised freedom from the pain of her injuries.
*******************
Author's note: Good, Thomas is still busy getting his butt kicked. *Hears a knock on the door.* I wonder who that could be? *Opens door as mouth falls to the floor. Karl is standing there looking just as irresistible as always.* Can-can I help you?
Karl: Would Thomas happen to be here? *Sigh. Love that voice.*
Shelly: Yeah, as a matter of fact, he is.
Karl: *Looks a little perturbed.* Isn't this just like him? Bothering you like this when there's a battle coming up. I apologize for any trouble he has caused you.
Shelly: *Wipes drool off of her chin.* To tell you the truth-ow! *Someone pinched me! I look behind me to see Thomas shooting a warning glare at me. I give him one right back then turn back to Karl with a forced smile on my face.* We've been glad to have him over. He's been no trouble at all.
Karl: Glad to hear it. Thomas, let's go. We've got a battle to plan for.
Shelly: *Watches as they leave.* Phew! Now that he's gone I can finally get back to work.
Next chapter: Karl vs. Irvine. 'Nuff said!
Thomas: Your husband persuaded me to go easy on you since you still have a few chapters to go before you're finished. So I suggest you get over there and start working before I change my mind.
Shelly: Or you'll what?
Thomas: *Pins me with a glare.* Or else I'll get Karl himself over here to deal with you.
Shelly: *Thinks about it a moment.* Hmm, that might not be a bad idea. I might could endure a little punishment from him. ^.~
Husband: Hey! I heard that!
Shelly: *Slinks over to her computer muttering.* It appears that now I have another mouth to feed.
************************
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it?
Loyalties of the Heart by Shelly
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Tania had often wondered what all the fuss was about having an organoid to boost a zoid's natural abilities and now she knew after having to continue on without Zeke there to help. The Saber Tiger seemed slower and less responsive to her commands than before and part of her wished that she hadn't asked the organoid to leave, but she knew that whatever happened Van would need his assistance more than she would.
Her thoughts began to wander, and she wondered what Karl was doing now. Had he decided to forgive her for what she did or did he still hold remorse towards her for deceiving him? And what was she to do about Irvine? It had been good to see him again and for each of them to reveal hidden feelings towards the other was a definite surprise neither of them had expected, leaving them both in an interesting position. She knew that Irvine would be more than happy to have her choose to be with him, but she couldn't just put her love for Karl aside so easily. She still loved him deeply and would stay with him if he wanted her; if he chose not to, then she knew that there was someone out there that she could turn to.
Soon the monotonous landscape gave way to a little more in the way of vegetation and wooded areas, and she noticed she was coming upon a small valley that held a ruined village in its embrace. She was curious to know if this was where they had relocated to, but where was the base located unless it was all underground? She studied the village's surroundings silently, unaware when a Rev Raptor came up behind her until the pilot asked for her name and rank. She gave him her name, and he seemed surprised to see her here, but he escorted her down towards the village, leading her to a large empty expanse of grass where they stopped and leaped out of their zoids.
He took out a remote and depressed the red button which soon had the ground beneath them shaking as two panels moved up and opened to reveal a platform which he moved her Saber Tiger onto. Returning to her side he punched the button once more and the platform lowered as the panels closed; she was amazed as she wouldn't have known that this was here unless she saw it for herself. They continued on foot towards the village where he took her to what had once been a small building; lifting a hatch, he beckoned her to descend the staircase which she could barely make out after being out in the bright sunlight for so long.
Once they reached the bottom, she realized that she was in the command center as soldiers moved around the complex completing the finishing touches that would have them fully operational soon. This command center was smaller than the one at their last base, but it was sufficient for their needs for now until their ultimate goal was achieved.
"Tania," a familiar voice greeted her. "How good it is to see you."
She turned towards the voice, her face showing no emotions that would betray her even though she was shaking inside. "Colonel Tragar," she replied.
He gazed at her a moment, and she wondered what was going through his mind. Had he guessed that she had betrayed him and was thinking of a proper punishment for her? "If you would be so kind as to follow me to my office, we have many things to discuss."
She fell in behind him as he led her out from the command center and into a small room that she guessed was used for interrogations. Once seated, he offered her coffee but she declined. "Just go ahead and get it over with," she said. "I know you too well to be fooled by your hospitality."
Tragar smiled. "Same as ever, I see. I had feared that you had changed your loyalties, something that your failure spoke loudly about. You were supposed to capture the Guardian Force, although Colonel Shubaltz would have been a nice addition also as he is also a traitor to the Empire. Those that would willingly help the Republic deserve the same death that a traitor deserves."
She managed to keep her fear under control at the thought that if Karl had been captured they would've killed him. "You can blame your men for that," she replied. "I had found the perfect place to make my move but they attacked and collapsed the tunnel we were in, separating us so that Colonel Shubaltz and his brother were able to escape."
"Is that how your injury came about?"
She eyed him warily. "Yes, it was. I sprained it in the collapse of the tunnel."
He rose from his seat and moved around to kneel in front of her. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to her injured foot.
"You don't believe me?" she inquired.
"Let's just say that I want to make sure you're not bluffing," he replied as he removed the brace. "It looks pretty bad. And yet you're still able to walk on it."
"I can deal with pain better than some," she answered, sensing she was treading on thin ice.
"Hmm, let's see how well," he said, quickly drawing his gun and shooting her in the leg, his face expressionless.
She cried out as she fell to the floor, her hands clutching at her leg as waves of pain shot through it, tears streaming down her face. But when she looked up at him, her anger overtook her as she saw his smug smile of satisfaction and she slipped a dagger from her boot before lurching to her feet and slicing at him with the blade. "You bastard!"
He easily dodged the attack and knocked her to the floor with a blow to her stomach. She doubled over as the dagger fell to the floor, gasping for air. "I'm impressed," he said. "I guess you do have a high tolerance for pain and a fighting spirit as well. At one time I would've have given you the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I don't think you're worthy enough. But I'm not going to kill you yet as I still have some use for you alive."
His words penetrated her fog of pain, and she grasped the dagger in her trembling hand and drove it into his nearby foot, hearing his howl of pain as well as feeling his foot sink into her midsection, the kick sending her sliding across the room and crashing into the wall. Two soldiers ran into the room and quickly surveyed the situation, one of them running over to Tragar while the other bound Tania's hands behind her back.
Tragar motioned for the soldier to sit her up against the wall, and she felt herself hauled roughly to her feet and thrown back against the wall, collapsing to her knees with a cry of pain as her full weight came upon her injured leg and ankle. A rough hand seized her hair and yanked her head up so that she looked directly into Tragar's eyes. "As I said, those who are traitors to the Empire deserve to die a long, painful death, but I'll save that for later where you're concerned."
"You're the one who's the traitor, Colonel," she spat the title derisively. "The war's been over for four years. It's time for peace to have its try in the world. But as far as the Imperial Army is concerned, your rank was stripped when you left to pursue your own twisted ambitions just as my father did. And you'll end up dying just like him, mark my words."
His face twisted in a mask of rage, he grabbed his pistol by the barrel and slammed the butt end into her jaw, her head snapping violently to the side as she felt a trickle of blood run down the side of her mouth. "Take her to the doctor so he can patch her up," Tragar growled. "We may need to use her as ransom, and it wouldn't do for them to see her in such bad condition."
"Yes, sir," the soldier replied before hauling her to her feet and practically dragging her down the hallway to the infirmary where he dropped her onto the floor. "Hey, Doc! Got ya another patient here, but be careful with her. Colonel says she might be of some use to us later on."
The doctor appeared, a middle-aged man with graying brown hair. "Then why did you rough her up like you did? Hey!" he cried when the soldier turned to leave. "I need you to at least take these handcuffs off so I can insert an IV properly." After her handcuffs were removed and the soldier gone, he kneeled down next to her prone body and gently turned her head to look her over. "Come on," he urged in a softer tone of voice. "Think you can walk far enough till I can get you on a table?"
Her jaw felt like it was swelling to gigantic proportions as waves of pain washed over her in rhythm with her heartbeat. "I think so," she rasped, struggling slowly to her feet with his assistance. Thankfully she didn't have far to go before he helped her onto an examining table, advising her to lay back, and that was when the darkness of unconsciousness came to claim her, taking her into its blessed embrace that promised freedom from the pain of her injuries.
*******************
Author's note: Good, Thomas is still busy getting his butt kicked. *Hears a knock on the door.* I wonder who that could be? *Opens door as mouth falls to the floor. Karl is standing there looking just as irresistible as always.* Can-can I help you?
Karl: Would Thomas happen to be here? *Sigh. Love that voice.*
Shelly: Yeah, as a matter of fact, he is.
Karl: *Looks a little perturbed.* Isn't this just like him? Bothering you like this when there's a battle coming up. I apologize for any trouble he has caused you.
Shelly: *Wipes drool off of her chin.* To tell you the truth-ow! *Someone pinched me! I look behind me to see Thomas shooting a warning glare at me. I give him one right back then turn back to Karl with a forced smile on my face.* We've been glad to have him over. He's been no trouble at all.
Karl: Glad to hear it. Thomas, let's go. We've got a battle to plan for.
Shelly: *Watches as they leave.* Phew! Now that he's gone I can finally get back to work.
Next chapter: Karl vs. Irvine. 'Nuff said!