I know it took me a while, but this chapter was hard to write. I know the chapter after this, but this one was done by impulse, which happens to me a lot, so there will be many long held conversations in this fic to try and make it longer, yet end it where it has to end. So, with no further adieu, here ya go.
Disclaimer: don't own zoids, just the characters I make up.
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"So, what do we do?" asked Bit. They were all out of their zoids, standing on the cliff that hung above the wide, open area below. Miharu stood, looking through binoculars at the base.
"We wait," she said.
"Wait? Why can't we just bust through! There's only a few guards; we can take them," said Bit.
"You're wrong. A few? Try a few hundred. This is a Backdraft base. They'd never just have a few guards."
"Then where are they?" asked Bit. She handed him the binoculars and walked off towards the others. Bit stayed there, looking through the binoculars, making note of where everything was. He then noticed the inside of the large gate. She was right. There were many zoids stationed in there, and they all looked ready to go into battle. He lowered the binoculars and walked after her. Everyone else was sitting in a circle, trying to figure out the best approach. They turned as Miharu and Bit came back.
"So, what's the latest news? How many guards are there?" asked Leon.
"I'm estimating around 200," she said.
"Man, that's a lot. How are we gonna make it past all of them and get into the base without anyone knowing?" asked Naiomi.
"We can't," said Miharu. "But we can make it in. They'll just know that we're there. Don't worry, I have a plan. It's better than Bit's"
"Hey!" yelled Bit.
"Well, it is. Anything could be better than getting us all killed by rushing in there," said Leena.
"You know, you're my girlfriend, so why are you siding with them?"
"Just cause I'm your girlfriend doesn't mean that I have to be stupid. We have to think this through. If we rush in, we'll all be killed."
"That's right, so I came up with a different plan. We'll send one person to lour out a few guards, then when they get to the cliff's edge, we'll storm them quickly. They'll be out of course, but the rest of the guards will come soon after. We'll have to hold them off, and while you do, I'll slip into the building and get Taban. Then we'll leave," said Miharu.
"Na ah, no way. You can't go in there, you're injured. If you were to run into trouble, you wouldn't be able to defend yourself," said Bit. "I'll go."
"You? No way!" said Miharu. "You always put yourself in danger. We just got you back."
"I don't care. I can do it, no prob," said Bit. "I'll sneak in while you guys hold them off. I'll find Taban and then we'll all get out and go home."
"Just one thing brilliant. How are you going to find him? You've never been there before!" said Leena. Bit sweatdropped, realizing the truth.
"I…guess I really didn't think of that," he said, scratching his head. They all sweatdropped. Miharu thought for a while, then took off her bracelet.
"Here," she said, handing it to Bit.
"Your bracelet? But don't you need this to power your zoid?" asked Bit.
"I'll be fine. When you're inside, you can use that to navigate through the base. The signal will get stronger when you get closer. The light will flash quicker. I've turned the beeper off, so you won't attract attention. And I'll still be able to use my zoid; I just won't be completely in sync with it. That and if I get a system freeze, I won't be able to re-power it. It's fine, I'll just have to be more careful this time," said Miharu.
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Alright, then I'll go in while you guys fight them off. By the way, when are we going to carry out this plan?" asked Jamie.
"Yeah. Are we going to do this today, or tomorrow?" asked Leena.
"We'll do this today," said Miharu.
"When?" asked Leon.
"How about right now?" she said.
"You serious?" asked Bit.
"Of course. We have to do this today, for sure. The sooner the better, or as they say."
"I guess you're right. So who's gonna be the distraction?" asked Jamie. They all thought about it for a while.
"It should be someone that wouldn't seem like much of a threat," said Miharu.
"Well then I'm out," said Bit. "They know about the Liger Zero."
"Yeah, and I can't go because they know about my zoid too," said Miharu. "And Brad can't go, because the Shadow Fox is a big threat and would attract too much attention. I want Leena and Naiomi to stay here and pick off the ones that come up, so they're both out, and a red Blade Liger is a huge threat and would attract too much attention as well." They all looked to Jamie, who seemed scared. They all smiled.
"Then it's settled. We'll send Jamie out in his Raynos," said Leena.
"What?! You can't be serious!" said Jamie.
"Come on Jamie! You're the only one who won't attract too much attention."
"But I don't want to!" yelled Jamie. Bit walked over and slapped Jamie on the back, not too hard though.
"Come on Jamie. We believe in you. We know you won't let us down!" said Bit cheerfully. Jamie just sighed, realizing that no matter what, he was going to do this whether he wanted to or not.
"Alright," said Jamie.
"That's the spirit!" said Leena.
"Well then, let's put this plan into action," said Naiomi. Her and Leena got in their zoids quickly. Leena ducked behind some rocks and Naiomi went to find a good sniping position. Jamie got in his Raynos and quickly lifted off. The rest of them got in theirs as well, but kept out of sight.
"Now remember Jamie, just fly around to get their attention and then when they follow you, lead them back up here," said Miharu from her cockpit. They had all opened up a com-link between everyone.
"Alright," said Jamie shakily. He was still unsure about this plan. He began to fly towards the base.
******
Down by the base, the guards heard a strange sound in the air. They looked up, only to find a Raynos flying overhead.
"What's going on?" asked one of them.
"We better contact the boss," said the other.
Inside the base, a man wearing a uniform came running into the boss's room. He made it to the front desk and then saluted.
"Sir. There's a report of an unknown zoid in the area," he said.
"Let me see," said the boss. "Bring it up on the screen."
"Yes sir." The man walked over and pressed a few buttons. A screen came down and showed a view of outside. It then showed the Raynos, flying overhead, and then turning at the base. "We can have someone go after it," said the man.
"No. I know I've seen this one somewhere before. Bring up the footage of the battle we had with the Blitz team," said the boss. The man quickly showed the footage of the battle on a screen to the side. "Now show me the air battle." The man quickly brought up the air battle and focused it on the Raynos. The boss compared them and then smiled. "That's the Raynos from the Blitz team and I'm betting he isn't alone." He quickly took the remote from the man and aimed the outside camera up at the cliff. He then turned on a heat scanner, which revealed many different zoids. "I knew it," said the boss. "They're trying to ambush us. They must be here to rescue their captured friend. Well we can't allow that. Soldier!"
"Yes sir!"
"Prepare to launch a missile at that cliff, right there."
"Yes sir," he said as he left to the missile bay. The boss just smiled and laughed as he watched the screen.
******
"Guys, it isn't working," said Jamie. "They aren't following me." On the cliff, they all just stayed there, not moving.
"Something must be wrong," said Miharu. She pushed a few buttons, making her screen enlarge the building. She looked closely, only to see a hatch near the top open up. Her eyes went wide.
"Everyone run! We gotta get out of here now!" she yelled.
"What? But why?" asked Bit.
"No time! Just run!" she yelled as her zoid took flight to join Jamie's. Everyone else quickly got up and ran, going down the side of the cliff, just before something huge crashed into it, causing a huge explosion. It felt like the whole planet was shaking as they tried to run down the cliff without tripping.
"Darn it! Now everything is ruined!" yelled Miharu. "Bit. I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay behind for now and help us hold off the enemy for a while. I'll tell you later when you can sneak in."
"Alright," said Bit.
"We should be fine. Let's just hope that that cargo bay door doesn't close before you have a chance to get in and out. As long as troops are coming out of it, it will remain open, so let's hurry."
"Alright," they all said, as they charged towards the quickly growing enemy group.
"I'm glad we left the Gustav back a few miles," said Naiomi.
"Yeah, I know," said Leon. The enemy group was still multiplying in size.
"This is insane. There's too many, even for us," said Brad.
"That's not true," said Bit. "Don't you remember what Taban said? It doesn't matter how many you're up against, all that matters is how well you can control your zoid. If we have better control and have mastered our zoids, then we will win. It all comes down to that."
"That's right Bit," said Miharu. "You know, sometimes I think that you just don't get it and then you say something like that."
"Is that an insult or a comment?" asked Bit.
"Whatever way you take it." She smiled, but it quickly faded as they came to the enemy. Some Zabats had been released from the base now too. The ones on the ground were mostly Rev Raptors, all painted black except for their scythes, with a few Helcats as well.
"Well, let's get started," she said as she began to fire on the Zabats. Jamie followed suit. Down below, they were all doing what they could. Bit was doing his best with his shot cannon and his Strike Laser Claw.
"I wish I had the other armor units," said Bit. "Why couldn't we bring the Hover Cargo?"
"You know, why is it that we always think of these things after we're already in too deep?" asked Leena.
"We'll just have to make due with what we have," said Leon. They continued to fight their battle, but this was hard. For everyone they destroyed, two more seemed to show up. Naiomi had found a sniping spot and was picking off as many as she could. No one seemed to notice this yet, so for now, she was fine. They fought for a while, but just as many seemed to be there as they started with.
"This is ridiculous! Is there no end to this!?" yelled Leena. She was doing her best not to use her ammo up too quickly.
"There's too many of them! I don't care if we are better than they are, there are just to many!" yelled Brad.
"But…" started Bit.
"I'm afraid they're right this time Bit," said Miharu, a solemn look on her face. "We might have to retreat."
"No way!" yelled Bit. Just then, he was hit by a few bullets, causing the Liger to shake a little. "Darn it! I wish we had some back up here!"
"What's wrong, need some help?" asked a voice coming from behind. Bit and the others looked, only to find a Lightning Siax, Spino Sappa and a Rev Raptor coming up quickly. They quickly took out a dozen or so.
"Rick?" asked Bit.
"Of course, who else," Rick said.
"Why are you guys here?" asked Leena.
"We thought that maybe you could use a little help," responded Meiyuu.
"I told you guys not to come. I thought you were going to stay at the hospital," said Naiomi.
"No way. Do you think we'd let you guys have all the fun?" asked Mattei.
"Thanks for coming, but are you sure you're up to it Rick?" asked Bit.
"I feel fine. You're letting Miharu fight and she's in worse shape than I am, right?" he said. Miharu laughed to herself in her cockpit.
"Nothing gets past you guys. Thanks for coming. This will work perfectly," said Miharu. "They can take your place Bit. Go to the doors and get in quickly. Leave the Liger outside, but have him leave the battle area. We don't need the Liger Zero to get taken by the Backdraft."
"Alright. You heard her Liger. You stay behind and help out here and if things get too rough, then leave," said Bit. The Liger roared in approval. They quickly made their way through the enemies with the help of Rick to back them up. Luckily, the cargo bay door was still open. When it was clear, Bit opened the cockpit and jumped out, running as fast as he could into the cargo bay and through the room to the halls. It was oddly quiet in the hallways, especially since there was a huge battle ensuing outside. Bit walked down the halls, trying his best to navigate through. He kept looking at the bracelet, trying to see if he was anywhere near the prison chambers. The signal then got stronger and started to flash more frequently. Bit started to run down the hallways, which were strangely still empty. He ran and kept turning corners, trying to remember which turns he had made and where, realizing that because he had Miharu's tracker, there was no way he'd be able to get back if he didn't remember where he had been. He slowed down as he came to a stairwell. He walked down, only to find a room with many prison cells. The signal from the tracker was extremely strong now. Bit looked around, trying to find where Taban was. He turned another corner. 'Why is this building so quiet. You'd think they'd have guards around here,' thought Bit. 'I guess it's because everyone is battling out there.' He kept walking until he came across a cell with someone in it. Bit smiled.
"Taban," he said. The person in the cell quickly turned and looked at Bit.
"Bit?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm here to save you. Everyone else is outside, holding off the enemy."
"It's great that you're here to save me and all, but I think you forgot about something."
"What?"
"How am I supposed to get out of this cell?"
"…"
"You didn't think of that, did you?"
"No," said Bit. Taban just sighed and pulled out a gun. He tossed it to Bit, who nearly dropped it.
"Shoot the lock off, but let me tell you this. The minute that gun goes off, the sirens will sound and we'll have to get out of here fast, so I hope you know the way out," said Taban.
"I think I remember."
"Then hurry up."
"Right." Bit quickly aimed the gun at the lock on the door and fired. The lock fell off and the door opened, but as it did, the sirens went off. Taban ran out of the cell, while Bit just stared at the gun. Taban grabbed his arm.
"We don't have time to stand around! Let's go!" he yelled. He let go of Bit as they came up the stairs and Bit pointed to where they needed to go. As they ran down the hallways, red lights flared, making the dark blue walls seem purple. A loud siren could be heard and the sound of people coming after them was heard as well. Bit looked to Taban and then noticed that his arm was still cut up and a slash was across his chest. He also had a cut down the side of his face. It was obvious that the Backdraft didn't give first aid to their prisoners, or at least this base didn't. They turned another corner and were now heading towards the cargo bay doors. The sound of the battle could still be heard, but it wasn't as harsh sounding as before. 'We must be winning,' thought Bit. They made it into the room where the door was, but as they made it in, the door began to close. The top door started closing first. They both just stood there for a while, wondering if they'd be able to make it. They could hear footsteps behind them, getting closer by the second. They glanced down the hall quick, only to see men dressed in uniforms, carrying guns, running after them. Both Bit and Taban were out of breath, but decided to make a break for it, but the door was already closing too quickly for them to make it.
"We can still make it! Come on," said Taban. They both began to run for the door, the men close behind them. The door was closing quickly. Bit realized that there was no way both of them would make it. The men behind them were closing in fast. 'There's no way we can both make it,' thought Bit. 'And I'm not letting Taban get captured again.' As they were only a few yards from the door, Bit spun around and punched out one of the guards as they had just reached them, giving Taban time to escape, but he turned around.
"Bit, what are you doing?!" he asked.
"I'm taking care of them! Get out of here now!"
"I'm not leaving without you!"
"I promised Miharu and the Zoid Battle Commission that I'd get you out, so that's what I'm going to do! And if you're not gonna leave…" stopped Bit. He quickly grabbed the gun Taban had given him and threw it with all the strength he had at Taban, hitting him in the chest. "…then I'll make you leave." The hit knocked Taban off his feet and he fell out the door, just as it closed, trapping Bit inside. Taban quickly got up, ignoring the newly found pain in his chest and ran to the door. He was banging on it.
"Bit!" he yelled. There was no answer. The battle outside had ended, resulting in the complete destruction of all the enemy zoids. They all jumped out of their zoids as they saw Taban standing by the door. "Darn it! This changes everything," he said to himself. He began to run towards the others, who were running towards him. 'We can't mess up another one of these assignments,' he thought to himself.
"Taban!" yelled Miharu. She ran up and hugged him and he couldn't help but smile. She let go and looked around. "Where's Bit?" she asked. Everyone else was wondering the same thing. They all looked around.
"I don't see him anywhere," said Leena. Taban looked downward.
"They got him," said Taban. "He knew we wouldn't both be able to make it out, so he attacked the guards behind us and threw my gun at me, making me fall out of the building. The door closed before he could get out."
"What?" said Leena.
"I'm sorry. Come on," said Taban as he began to walk away.
"You're just gonna leave him there?" asked Naiomi.
"No. We'll come back as soon as we alert the Zoid Battle Commission of the location of this base," said Taban. As they were walking, they heard a loud rumbling noise. They looked back to the base. The top opened, letting out many Whale Kings, each with five cords connected to it. They lifted off into the sky, and odd as it may seem, pulled the base up with them and began to carry it away. Taban fell to the ground and then punched it, cracking it slightly.
"Darn it!!" he yelled. "We can't mess up another mission like this!"
"Don't worry. We'll find someway," said Miharu. "Someway…" Leena just stood there, fear stricken as all of the dreams she had had started to replay in her head. 'Please be okay Bit. Please…' she thought to herself as they all walked back to their zoids.
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I hope you liked this chapter. Yes, another cliffhanger. I like them. I think the next chapter will have a song that goes with it. I like doing that and I found a good song to use. Being out of school is good, but I haven't had much of a break lately. I've had to go out to Champlain four times in these last 6 days. I had dance recitals to go to. It would have been fun if it wasn't so hot in that building. Overall, it was fun, but my feet hurt afterwards. I think I liked being in the audience better. Anyway, hope you like this and pleaz review. Audi^.^