Zoids Neo Slash Zero
Prologue: Prayer
Author notes: Okay, this will be my first multi-chapter fic that I'll be writing on my own, I hope I can live up to the strain of writing a long fic, and I promise to try to meet deadlines in a timely manner. This fic will be different than most of what you read, so try to enjoy. This is the prologue to set the stage for the rest of the story. READ AND REVIEW PEEPS!
The message had blared across open speakers, beaming to all receivers around planet Zi, bringing its message into the homes of every citizen who had access to electricity. War. War had arrived after a peace lasting barely two hundred years. The bicentennial cease-fire had finally ended with the straw that broke the camel's back; the destruction of Hammerhead Flight 242 from a Guygalos peace conference headed for New Helic City. The news had spread fast. A squad of Raynos in Republican colours apparently appeared from above the stratosphere and quickly dispatched the Hammerhead's engines while it crossed the Deldaros Ocean. Whether or not the pilots were under orders from President Gartland has yet to be determined, but the actions taken after the incident were swift and decisive. Emperor Irmand ordered that all troops cut off supplies to the small Republican communities that had been built along Imperial borders on the Western Continent. Outraged, President Gartland delivered an ultimatum, dictating that either the Emperor release the cities from captivity, or face severe consequences. Guygalos' reply was the swift destruction of Hearthland, a small community that had been applying for independence from the Helic Republic under the ZBC's Changing Borders Act.
Incidents began to snowball from there. Both countries pulled their funding from maintaining the ZBC's Neutral Zone and pumped it back into their war machines, reviving old factories and drawing up new schematics. Designs were refined, workers were hired, prototypes built, and soldiers drafted. Training began and all soldiers soon came to know the harsh realities of military life: waking up at the crack of dawn, the non-stop training and exercise, and the intense, intricate battlefield skills that they would need to acquire if they were to win the war for their respective countries. It was the calm before the storm that lulled many into a false sense of security. Many thought that the problem would soon blow over, that the governments would soon resolve their differences. Many believed, many hoped, that this was simply another false war, such as the many that had happened between the Helic Republic and Guylos Empire during the Golden Years of Peace. They were horribly wrong.
The silence was shattered when Zanazos, a medium sized city on an island off the coast of the Central Continent only three hundred kilometers from New Helic City, was brutally torn apart by a new, improved Gravity Cannon. Guygalos had discovered the old plans it had for the original Gravity Cannon and had modified them to make a larger, more mobile platform that allowed them to mount it to either navy ships or incredibly large land units. The beam all but leveled Zanazos, atomizing most of what it touched and shattering all it didn't with the shockwave of its passing. Nothing remains of the island, save a broken pile of rubble and the jungle that was beginning to reclaim the area where the city lay a graveyard.
In response, Helic troops soon found themselves on boats headed across the Deldaros Ocean, intent on remedying the bloody nose they had received at the hands of the Guylos Empire. On the morning after the attack on Zanazos over fifty Republic Cannon Tortoises shelled Golgylos, the third largest city on the Western Continent. The attack occurred before dawn, allowing little time for defenders to jump to the ready. The roar of Heavy Republic Mortar cannons filled the darkness, screaming the fierce vengeance straight from New Helic City. None managed to get to their Zoids; all hangers had collapsed on the soldiers inside, killing them instantly. Fires soon burned uncontrollably throughout the city, burning many districts to the ground. Soon, nothing was left of one of the proudest cities in Guylos, save for a pile of rubble and a lone, bloody Republic marker, tome to the destruction soon to be waged between the two nations.
That had been over a year ago.
He had received the letter he had been dreading. 'Bit Cloud, you have been drafted. Report to the Recruitment Base in Romeo City to begin your new career as a soldier for the Helic Army!'. Why did this have to happen now? He hadn't wanted to get involved with the conflict between the two warring nations. It had been only yesterday that he had been planning his strategy to win the Grand Prix Battle for Class S pilots. It was scheduled four years after he and the Blitz team had managed to barely win the Royal Cup Tournament, edging out Vega Obscura in a nail biting finish atop the wrecked Ultrasaurus that had been the finish line.
Another dream that will never come true
Just to compliment your sorrow
He had been planning to ask Leena to marry him after they won the Grand Prix. They had been living together for two years, having begun a relationship after Bit had professed his feelings for her over three years ago, shortly after the Royal Cup. The war had worried them, but so long as they remained in the neutral zone between the two countries, they weren't worried. The Blitz team had made so much money during their rise to the top of Class S that they found they didn't need to battle on a consistent basis, so they only fought whenever someone challenged their crown as Class S leaders.
But now it looks like I'm off to war.
He walked away from the mailbox, contemplating how he was going to break the news to Leena.
I'd rather face Vega's Charged Particle Beam again.
"Jamie Hermeros, reporting for duty," said a young man with spiky black hair and expressive, but intelligent looking brown eyes. He wore the uniform of a Helic Military analyst, the rank of Ensign emblazoned on his upper arm below the outstretched eagle of the Helic Republic's symbol, the words 'Draask Unthe Teramis Abludor' written below the patch. The slogan was that of the New Helic Military, and it translated from Ancient Zoidian into 'Determination Under Flowing Courage'. It was a fitting quote, as Jamie felt he needed all the courage in the world. He was barely eighteen, yet he was about to join a war of men, as someone who suggested ways to send officers to their deaths: a battle strategist for Helic Military Command.
Another life that I've taken from you
A gift to add on to your pain and suffering
He had been ready to depart the Blitz team for university, on a full acceptance scholarship at the most prestigious university on Zi, the Zoids Academy stationed one hundred kilometers south of Romeo City. Then he had been drafted. Instead of gaining his degree in engineering and battle tactics, he had been forced into the military life of a soldier, thrust into a world of yelling, orders, and menial tasks that he had faced during training week. He chuckled sadly to himself.
Not much different from the chores I did at the Toros base.
"Ensign Hermeros," said a man wearing a General's uniform. Jamie saluted and held it uncomfortably until the General returned it, his posture razor sharp. "I am General Trexen Winters. I will be your Commanding Officer. I see that your entrance scores placed you very high, allowing you to attain such a rank and join my advisory staff. Congratulations."
Jamie smiled politely and shook the man's hand, though on the inside he felt completely distraught. "Thank you sir, I look forward to aiding you the best I can," he said falsely.
I feel like I've just condemned many men to death.
A new wave of recruits already huh? God these kids keep getting younger and younger, mused Lieutenant Leon Toros, Section Commander of a unit of Shield Liger units for the New Helic Military. When war had broke out, he had been one of the first men enlisted, due to the fact that he was over eighteen and had a considerable resume of Zoid Battle accomplishments. Plus there was the fact that his Zoid was very rare, Blade Ligers being a hot commodity for any military squad. Add in his already considerable resolve and command skills and you had the ingredients for an officer that any Commander would kill to have under his command. It hadn't taken Leon long to rise through the ranks, but the way he had done had been disturbing.
Never on my own merit, only through the deaths of other officers.
Another truth you can never believe
Has crippled you completely
That was the horrifying reality of war; your advancement often hinged on the deaths of others. As morbid as it felt for him to admit that, it was true. He owed his current rank and status to the sacrifice of the countless men and women before him. His squad was one of the Republic's best, having one of the most frequent success rates around. The Fierce Lion Squadron certainly was the best Liger Unit, rarely seeing any unit losses and loss of life. However, the odd death still occurred, each time Leon had to write a report up as to why it happened, and then send a letter notifying the family that their son or daughter had perished under his command on the battlefield. It never was easy, but many of the soldiers had been adults, living on their own with little family still living. Now, it was much harder. The military was accepting more and more soldiers at a younger age.
All the cries you're beginning to hear
Trapped in your mind, and the sound is deafening
These are just kids, Leon thought, horrified. He dreaded the thought of having to write to a mother and tell her that her son wasn't coming home ever again. The responsibility of war was beginning to weigh on him.
A lone figure sat at counter, throwing back another shot of whiskey while watching the dim television situated at the corner of the bar. The place was some dingy old dive in the middle of Romeo City. He couldn't even remember the name, though he doubted that the few patrons situated throughout the building even knew it, seeing as how the flickering neon sign out front was on its last legs and barely lit as it is. He ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair as he took out his wallet from his long blue vest. Counting what remaining money he had, he ordered another three shots of whiskey, quickly tossing the first back as he had before.
"Thought I'd find you here," a voice said, "That doesn't look to be too healthy."
"Save it for someone who cares," Brad Hunter retorted, "I've earned this the hard way."
Jack Sisco pulled out a bar stool and sat down beside Brad, ordering a beer for himself. "Still, that is quite the large amount of liquor," said Jack grimacing, "Jesus, Brad I can smell it on you from here."
Let me enlighten you
This is the way I pray
Brad turned to him, an angered expression crossing his usually cool and collected features. "Well, we can't all be the high and mighty mercenary Jack Sisco now can we?" he said sardonically.
Jack shot him a sideways glance over the edge of his beer mug. "Look, I heard what had happened and I came to Romeo City to see how you were holding up."
Brad turned his gaze towards the countertop, "Well, I've had enough shit to deal with as it is Jack, I don't need your pity."
Living just isn't hard enough,
Burn me alive, inside
Living my life's not hard enough
Take everything away
Jack Sisco was not a man who was easily surprised. But the look he wore on his face dictated otherwise. "Damn it Brad! What the hell has happened to you? You look like shit, you smell like shit, and your attitude is makin' me wanna beat the shit outta' you!"
Brad locked his gaze steadily with Jack's. "Maybe that's because my life is shit," He said matter of factly. This rocked Jack back on his bar stool, surprising him for the second time in the night, and probably for the second time in many years. He remained silent, so Brad continued. "It was two years ago, you know, when the Blitz team was atop the Class S world."
"I remember, you guys were raking in the prize money," said Jack, "I'm sure you were quite happy."
Brad laughed cynically, "Yeah, you'd think that wouldn't you. I mean, I'm a mercenary. I'd found a team that was going somewhere, I was getting paid, and I was getting recognition."
Jack narrowed his eyes, "That's the triple-play that every mercenary hopes for. Why the hell would you give that up?"
Brad turned his eyes back towards the countertop, "Jack, I had to give that up. Sure, we were on top of the world, famous throughout the Neutral Zone, hell, even all of Zi. But then I realized something."
"And that was," Jack said, waiting for an answer.
Another nightmare about to come true
Will manifest tomorrow
Brad downed another shot of whiskey before continuing. "It wasn't real Jack, it never was, never will be."
Jack looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"The fame dammit," Brad smashed his hand on the countertop, causing the nearby patrons to jump, some moving to sit farther away from the disgruntled mercenary.
"The fame is what makes you as a mercenary," Jack pointed out, "Without that, no one trusts our results."
Brad clenched his fists, trying to reign in his anger. "What good is fame when you don't earn it."
"Jesus Christ Brad! Do you hear yourself? I can't stand this self-pity crap!" Jack's voice rose in anger.
"Shit Jack, it's all true." Brad's eyes looked downwards once more. "Less than six months after the Royal Cup, I began to realize something. While we were winning, I noticed that the Doc congratulated me less, that Jamie used me less in his battle strategies, and that my personal points were falling."
Jack said, "So, maybe you were just having a bad streak of luck."
"Dammit Jack, luck has never been a part of my life. I've had to make my own damn luck," Brad said bitterly, reaching for a fourth shot glass.
Jack's arm reached out and caught hold of Brad's wrist before he could pick up the next shot of whiskey. "That still doesn't explain why you've been actin' the way you are."
"Fuck Jack, I've become the thing I hate. I've become dependent on another. I wasn't the one bringing in my success, Bit Cloud was. He excelled after every battle while my skills atrophied down to nothing," Brad explained.
Jack snorted, "That's a load of crap and you know it. Sure, Bit is an exceptionally great pilot, but remember you were one of the ones who helped that team rise up to Class B before Bit joined up. You obviously have the skills to hang with him."
Another love that I've taken from you
Lost in time, on the edge of suffering
Brad smiled sadly, "See, you're wrong there. I left the Blitz team in search of my own fame, not one given to me for being affiliated with someone else," he threw back another shot of whiskey. "And that's when the reality of it all slapped me upside the head. I couldn't land any Class A jobs, and when I finally got a job it was for a Class B team. They were decent pilots, and you'll never guess our opponents."
Jack offered, "Hmmm.....Zaber Tigers?"
"I wish," stated Brad, "No, it was the Champ team. The bloody fuckin' Champ team. And do you know what? I lost. And not to Harry Champ either. One of his damn robots shot me down," Brad's voice rose again, "One of those fuckin', stupid, incompetent, piece of shit robots!"
Jack remained silent, watching Brad carefully.
"That's when I lost it," Brad began, "The will to fight, the will to work, the will to do anything worthwhile. I lost my love of the battle Jack, and with it, my entire fuckin' life has become a hole."
Jack was still silent a moment before he spoke up, "Jesus Brad, there's always room on my team if you need work and-"
He was cut off by Brad, who stood up sharply, knocking his stool over. He said in a low, dangerous voice, "Like I said before Jack, I don't need your fucking pity. Save it for someone who gives a fuck." With that, he stormed out of the bar, staggering into the nighttime streets of Romeo City. It was raining out, but he rather enjoyed it; it aided the mood he was drifting into.
Another taste of the evil I breed
Will level you completely
He walked a few more steps when he noticed a sign in a store window. It read, 'Attention all mercenaries, the Imperial Army wants YOU. High payoffs to all mercenaries who fight valiantly for the Guylos Empire. Register in Guygalos for your assignments, and may the Imperial Army march to victory!'
He smirked, A war would do me right. I've got nothin' to live for anyways. He peered closer at the information on the sheet. If the price is right, I might as well take a few fuckers with me to hell.
He allowed himself a small chuckle as he staggered off down the sidewalk towards his broken down motel flat. Unbeknownst to him, a figure stood watching his departure.
Bring to life everything that you fear
Live in the dark, and the world is threatening
Jack Sisco let out a long sigh as he watched Brad leave.
Jesus Brad, don't do what I did. Don't let things like this break you.
He turned in the opposite direction and began to walk down the street. Don't do this to yourself. He continued until he reached the city limits, where he had parked his Lightning Saix at a Zoid parking station.
Don't do this to Naomi.
She stood, alone, on the front porch of her home in the Wind Colony, watching her boyfriend of three years walk away, turning to casually wave to her, as if he was only going to be gone for a few days. He had left her with a few words, a simple "I love you," and a kiss that had left her weak in the knees. She had resisted the urge to cry, but as the car carrying Bit Cloud disappeared over the horizon, she began to cry, her red hair shaking as sobs wracked her petite frame.
Let me enlighten you
This is the way I pray
Oh Bit, why do you have to leave now? She turned away from the outside world and re-entered the house that she and Bit had bought with the money they won from fighting in Class S battles. Walking into the living room, she sat down heavily on one of the large couches, wiping tears from her watery violet eyes. She hadn't cried in years, not since Bit professed his love for, yet here she was, crying like there was no tomorrow. She turned on the television, hoping that it would take her mind of her present situation: the war that loomed over hers and everyone's heads. Unfortunately, the news happened to be doing a casualty report, stating that one in seven soldiers died within the first two missions they experienced. She nearly broke down again upon hearing that bit of information, picking up a picture frame and running her thumb across it.
Living just isn't hard enough,Burn me alive, inside
Living my life's not hard enough
Take everything away
She lovingly looked at the picture of her and Bit. It had been taken shortly after they had reached the top of Class S, capping off their most difficult battle ever. It was only minutes after the picture that Bit had told her just how much he loved her, and it changed her life forever. Her skies brightened, her outlook was that of a much more successful person. She had felt complete for the first time in her life. But now, she felt incomplete again. Bit had been drafted for a war that neither of them believed in. Unfortunately, Bit's parents were of Helic descent, and since he was twenty he was eligible for the draft. He had left, still seeming so carefree, and Leena didn't have the heart to tell him.
Oh Bit, she thought, I couldn't have told you that I'm pregnant, you would've dodged your recruitment and been thrown in jail.
She smiled softly, realizing how great a parent Bit would make. She turned off the television and sat back down on the couch, still cradling the picture in her arms. She fell asleep that way, a sad smile on her face.
A tall man with brown hair that was graying at the temples stood stooped over a low console, his hands inside, working with a soldering tool to fuse together a set of wires. He had been working on this particular set of components for a few hours, taking the necessary care to make sure that they didn't come out of alignment. The finished component would have made the perfect addition to the stealth systems on Brad's Shadowfox.
Except that Brad isn't even on our team anymore. The Doc sighed. Who am I kidding, I don't even have a team to speak of anymore.
Return to me, return to me, return to me, turn to me, leave me no one
Just then the video phone rang, signaling a long distance call. Steve Toros jumped, hitting his head on the console's cowling as the wires that he had carefully gathered up sprang loose from his hands. Cursing and rubbing his sore head, he ran over to the far wall of the hanger, intent on answering the phone, hoping it was who he thought it was.
It wasn't.
"Hello sir, my name is Derriej Klesnen and I'm from Zoid Builders Annual, and I-"
Dr. Toros cut him off angrily, "Look, I'm waiting for an important phone call, don't waste my time," and with that, he cut the phone feed.
He sighed again, Another bloody telemarketer. It had been that way for over a month now. Whenever someone phoned the base he would run to the phone, hoping to hear from Leena, Leon, Bit, Jamie, even Brad. Anyone who could give him news as to what was going on with the war.
Turn to me, return to me, return to me, turn to me, cast aside
They had all left for their own endeavours. Brad had been first, shortly after the team made it into Class S. No one knew the reason why he left, and none had heard from him since then. It was like he dropped off the face of the planet. Leon had rejoined the Blitz team for a short while, which filled in the hole left by Brad's absence. But then, Bit and Leena decided to move in together and buy a home in the Wind Colony. Not that Steve had anything against Bit, he loved him like his own son, but he wished they had stayed so he could see his daughter more, and on a more selfish note, so that they could battle for the Blitz team more often.
Return to me, return to me, return to me, turn to me, leave me no one
But that was the way it went, and there was little that he could do to stand in the way of young love. They still did quite well considering they only had two permanent team members and two who could still battle infrequently. But then something unexpected had occurred, shattering his perfect life. War. War had ruined what he had perceived as some of the best times of his life. Leon had left immediately, being one of the first wave recruited by the Helic Republic, a testament to his skills as a Zoid warrior. He had already risen to the rank of Lieutenant, but Dr. Toros worried about him everyday, dreading the call that would someday say that he had lost his son.
Jamie had left only a few weeks ago, having been ready to attend the Zoids Academy on Dr. Toros' sponsorship, himself having received his doctorate from the Academy. Unfortunately for Jamie, the Helic Military had taken note of his brilliance with battle strategy and had drafted him into their corps of Battle Analysts. The last he had heard of Jamie was that he was assigned to the commanding General's personal staff.
Turn to me, return to me, return to me, turn to me, you've made me turn away
Leena had called him the other day. Though struggling to hold back tears, she told him that Bit had been drafted into the Helic Military as well, his parents being Helic in descent. That had been the last straw for the Doc. He turned his back on the real world and threw himself into his work, designing new parts or tinkering with old ones. It was just his way of dealing with the events that currently conspired to destroy his perfect life. Everyone had been withdrawing from his life, with little hope of returning until after the war was finished.
If they survive, Doctor Steven Toros thought darkly, returning to his work.
Bit watched the large military style complex loom before him with mixed interest. While he disliked the fact that he would be away from Leena, the war would let him test his skills in a full-time environment, and he looked forward to that.
This should be interesting.
Living just isn't hard enough
Jamie had just finished his first battle strategy meeting, feeling like he had just gone three rounds with the Berserk Fury bare handed. His plan had met with all sorts of scrutiny, such as ammo costs, time constraints, and probable enemy action. He had done his best to field of the questions, and his plan had met with acceptance. If his life wasn't stressful enough before, the military certainly took the cake.
This isn't nearly as interesting as I thought it would be.
Burn me alive, inside
Leon had finished being briefed on his newest battle plan, and now he was currently checking the systems on his Red Blade Liger before he was due to train some new recruits. The newest plan, which called for them to mobilize soon, left him only a few days to train the new wave of recruits that were coming in later that day.
This is foolhardy. We're leading lambs to slaughter.
Living my life's not hard enough,
Brad finished loading the rest of his personal gear into the lower storage compartment in his Shadow Fox. All systems read nominal, so he walked the Fox onto the rear cargo trailer of a Gustav that the Guylos Military had loaned him as an advance for his services. Nodding goodbye to his old life, Brad got into the Gustav's cockpit and set out on the long journey to Guygalos, and his new existence as a soldier of fortune.
I wonder if they have a stealth division.
They take everything from you
Author Notes: Wow! I dealt with more characters than I thought I was going to when I set out to write this chapter! I really wrote a lot for Brad, who I originally intended to have less a role in this chapter, but I just got carried away with his and Jack's conversation. Trust me, the story will get real interesting soon. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and remember read and review!
