Disclaimer: I do not own Zoids

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Chapter VIII: Morning's wind

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Before the break of dawn, Weis was already up. He quietly slipped into the shower and bathed, preparing for the new morning. As he wore his usual white ensemble, he took out a box from under his bed and went to the kitchen.

He prayed that he would never use the contents of the box ever again but it was a little too good to hope for. In the box lay his past, the past he was eager to leave behind.

"Good morning," Naomi sleepily said as she smiled at him. Weis looked at her sweetly and returned her smile.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"Very," she said as she stretched like a cat. Weis blushed and turned away, for she was only wearing one of his shirts as a nightshirt. She didn't button it fully and he could see the outlines of her body through the thin material.

And what he saw, he liked. He liked very much.

"What's for breakfast?" she asked. Clearing his throat, Weis stood and picked up a plate from the microwave. He then placed it in front of her. She was surprised at its contents.

"French Toast, eggs, bacon, hash brown and sausages?" she smiled in awe. "And where's the rose in the vase?" Weis placed a vase by the plate with a white rose in the bloom.

"Impressive," she smiled. "Are you planning to get this to me in bed?" she teased.

"Was going to, but you got up early," he said. Laughing, Naomi started to eat. Then she thought on her life would be like if Brad was this... compassionate. She would never have to cry again. Naomi noticed the box on the table that Weis had neglected. Curious, she asked about it.

"It's nothing," he said. Naomi didn't push it further for she saw the look in his eyes when he said those words. It was something he really didn't want to her to know about.

"So," she tried to change the subject. "What's our agenda today?" Just then, his kitchen com unit chimed. Blinking, Weis stood and looked at it curiously. "Expecting a call?" she asked.

"No," he said curiously. "It's not the emergency com. I wonder who it is." He walked towards it and turned it on. "Way Station Five," he said.

The form of a large man with a handlebar mustache came to view.

"Good morning, Weis," the man said. He suddenly blushed when his gaze turned to Naomi. "Oh my! I'm sorry Commander, I interrupted something." It took Naomi two seconds to figure out the implication on his words.

All she can do, was blush.

"What is it mayor?" Weis asked embarrassingly. Just as embarrassed, the mayor sighed.

"We received a communication from a Whale King requesting to land," the mayor said. Naomi immediately tensed when she head the news. Noticing this, Weis became suspicious.

"Do you have any idea who it is?" he asked.

"The Whale King's registered to Harry Champ," the mayor said. Naomi visibly relaxed.

"E.T.A?" Weis asked.

"Three hours. Just in time as well," the mayor sighed.

"Blizzard?"

"A big one," the mayor nodded. "Might last for two days."

"Thanks, mayor," Weis said. "See you later." The com unit was turned off from the mayor's side.

"Well," Weis smirked. "Your friends are here."

"One of them is paranoid," Naomi smiled. "He wanted to get to me at the fastest time."

"He had reason to," Weis's voice was grave. "I didn't tell you this but when I found you I first saw the wreckage of at least twenty zoids about five kilometers where I found you. All of them belonged to the Backdraft group. Care to tell me what happened?"

"It's a long story," Naomi said. "And I don't want to relive it." Sighing, Weis opened the box he had on the table and carefully emptied its contents. Naomi was shocked at what she saw.

Weis wore a double shoulder holster but she was curious at the length of the holster itself. It reached his hips and she knew it held an enormous pistol. Weis took out two pistols that were too big for Naomi's taste.

"What are those?" she asked. He placed the pistols on the table for her to see. One was silver and the other black. The silver pistol was an automatic and the black pistol was a revolver. Weis hefted the silver pistol as he explained it.

"My past," he said. "This is a custom built pistol. This automatic is 390 mm in length and holds six 13mm casul rounds. The bullets are explosive tipped and could puncture level three armors like those used in the Command Wolves. And it could take down a Dibison if you know where to shoot at." He holstered the weapon and hefted the revolver.

"This is a top-breaker revolver loads five 13mm depleted uranium rounds and could penetrate the armor of a Gustav in one shot."

"Why do you have those?" she asked. "It looks like you fight zoids barehanded." When she saw his face, she knew she was right. "You're kidding."

"We were called Suicide Wolves," he sat down. "I was the squad leader of three."

"Three?" she asked.

"I keep my squad to a minimum. Eliminates risks of detection."

"Whom do you work for?" Naomi asked.

"Do you remember the joint Republic and Empire squad that protects the people from those who would take advantage of them?"

"The Guardian Force?" Naomi's eyebrow was raised. "Yes. But I thought they were disbanded years ago."

"Officially," Weis said. "But we..." he looked at the ground in defeat. "We still were instructed to help those who are suffering." He took out a leather case and gave it to Naomi. Blinking in confusion, she opened the case only to find more amused confusion.

Gleaming in the light was the badge of the Guardian Force.

"Guardian Force. Commander Weis Einzelganger," she read. "You're cute here," she smiled. Weis snatched the badge from her as he blushed.

"They used my Graduation picture," he said.

"Funny, the only difference I could notice is that black streak on your hair."

"Har, har," Weis sighed. "Continuing. The Zoid Battle Commission assigned us to infiltrate the Backdraft group. Long story short, we were found out and we fought."

"And they got their ass kicked," Chioni said as she entered the room. Weis sighed and prepared her breakfast.

"What happened to his team?" Naomi asked.

"I don't know," Weis said. "We lost touch two years ago."

"And what happened to the Backdraft group?" she asked.

"That was the first successful attack on the Backdraft group," Chioni said. "The ruined Hammer Keiser is under the lake behind this station."

"Underwater?" Naomi asked.

"Yes," Weis said. "It's better that it's left there."

"Hammer Keisers are rare," Naomi said. "Why not sell it?"

"We don't have the equipment to raise it," Weis answered.

"He does not have enough power to start the engines," Chioni smiled.

"In any case," he cleared his throat. "It stays there until needed."

"What do they have in there, anyway?" Naomi asked.

"You don't want to know," he said. "Will you meet your friends in town?"

"Friends?" Chioni asked.

"The Blitz team and The Champ team are here to get her home," Weis said.

"Your boyfriend's here?" Chino asked curiously. A loud crash was heard and both girls turned to see Weis looking at them dumbfounded.

"Boyfriend?" he asked.

"Brad Hunter," Chioni said. Weis looked like he saw a herd of Deathsaurers out the window. Although, if he really did, he would take it in stride.

"That's nice," he smiled as he picked up the broken pieces of his mug. "So, I'll just prep the cruiser." He smiled and left a very confused Zoid Warrior.

"What's with him?" Naomi asked.

"Cupid's a bad shot. Chioni said. Naomi was more puzzled by her reply.

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End of 8