Okay, time for chapter 2. Again: This is an AU fic with subtle references to characters from Zoids: Slash Zero. I do not own any of the zoids mecha/characters and have created my own setting for this story. Please enjoy. Also, PLEASE REVIEW! Any and all reviews/criticism is accepter. I'd even settle for flames.

Part 1

Chapter 2

            The Ace Team headquarters was in the middle of the Unnamed dessert, near one of the few oases. The Gustav rolled recklessly towards it over the high sand dunes. Lyle was at the controls, humming contentedly as he ignored the other's complaints about his driving skills. When they reached the Base, Lyle and Ryan jumped out while Rayne stayed behind for a moment, unloading a few parts from the back of the Gustav. Though the damages to their zoids were minimal, they would still take about a day and a half to fix. Plus, Rayne wanted to get ahead on some upgrading that she'd have to do to her Lightning Saix before long. She walked briskly into the hanger, turning on a few lights as she proceeded to her zoid. The black, cat-like machine stood imposingly over her but she climbed to the cockpit and swapped the settings from battle to upgrade. It would manually do it itself, but Rayne had to be there incase something messed up.  She sighed contentedly and leaned back in her seat, smiling up at the ceiling. It had been a good battle, though her partners' arguments got in the way again. They'd earned a fair share of prize money, though nearly all of it was gone thanks to dinner and parts.

            A soft knock on the hanger door brought Rayne back to reality.

            "Coming!" she shouted hastily, looking down to check on the status of her upgrades. They were complete. 'How long was I asleep?' She jumped down from her cockpit and strode over to the hanger door, which she opened with a push of a button. She was still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes when it finally finished. "May I help you?"

            A woman stood in the door way, holding some zoids parts in her arms. She nearly dropped one but kicked it with her toe and catching it on the top of a pile. "Miss… You paid for these and left them at the store."

            "I did? I could have sworn I-"

            "You are Rayne Altana, correct. Ace Team?" Rayne nodded and backed up a little to let the woman enter.

            "Can I help you with those?" The woman handed about half of her pile to Rayne as she walked over to her Lightning Saix.

            "Is this your zoid?" Rayne nodded.

            "Yeah."

            "And those other zoids?"

            "My partners'."

            "You were in a battle recently. I can see some minor damages. I can touch them up for you, if you want."

            "We really don't have the money-"

            "I wasn't going to charge you. These are really minor, won't take more than a half an hour at most. All three zoids together might take an hour. Also, since we charge by the hour for each zoid it wouldn't cost you a cent at the store."

            "Really? That's a really good deal. Are you sure you don't mind working on them for free?"

            "Not at all. I've always loved zoids. I used to pilot a Storm Sworder before I grew too old. Here, I'll go ahead and get started."

            "Thank you Miss…"

            "Kiyogi. Gin Kiyogi."

            "Thanks." Rayne walked inside the base and over to where Ryan and Lyle were eating dinner.

            "It's about time you cam inside. Your food was getting cold."

            "You actually cooked?"

            "If you call sticking TV dinners in the fridge, then yeah, he cooked." Ryan shot Lyle and death glare after being accused of laziness.  Rayne shrugged her shoulders and grabbed her TV dinner off of the table, downing it in a few minutes. It had been a long day and she hadn't eaten much after Sai had come into the Eatery. She thought for a moment about the earlier events. Was it her, or was her brother becoming a bigger jerk than ever? She sighed and stood, tossing her trash into the garbage can on her way out of the kitchen. The two boys were still sitting on the couch eating.

            "Make sure to clean up when you're done, okay?" They nodded, but she doubted they heard her. She returned to the hanger to find the work done. In fact, Gin was nowhere in sight. Rayne plodded over to her zoid and glanced around before climbing into the cockpit. She noticed a small note tied to her controls. Cautiously she read it.

            "Dear Ms. Altana. It was a pleasure to meet you. I finished the repairs on all of your zoids in about fifteen minutes. I also make a few improvements to your Lightning Saix's controls. It ought to handle better and easier now. If not, please drop by the store and I'll return them to normal. But please note that to ultimately use your new settings to the fullest, you will have to grow accustomed to faster reactions from your zoid. Drop by the store any time. Signed, Ms. Kiyogi." Rayne smiled and jumped down from the cockpit.

            "She's a bit of a weird lady…" But it didn't matter. Rayne walked to the open hanger door and leaned against the frame, smiling.

Yeah, this was another introduction chapter. Also, these first few chapters may be a little shorter than the later ones. Please review. Please! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.