Zoids Neo Slash Zero: Believe
Chapter 5: Intoxication
Author Notes: Hmmm....though I updated sooner....it still seems I have less reviewers. That's a little disheartening...where did everybody go? I need you people to make me feel like writing! Oh well...I'll just kill off a character every hour until I get some more reviews XD. On to the reviewers.
Mercenary Pen - Who said it was Leon? I sure didn't . Or is it? It isn't. Or is it? Yeah the X-Wing series is good (I used to be a huge Star Wars fan...have way to many books). Jerks, I was wondering why your story disappeared...and that is a good combo...it'll leave anybody pwn3d by me! Wow! You can turn into a cloud? I usually turn into some sort of strange tornado...wait that's also a cloud...gotta go!
Zero Stalker - Well, I'm glad you clicked that, but I think my writing had something to do with getting reviews too maybe? lol. I'll take a look at your story. Thanks for the review!
Bluefly7 - Yeah, it was strange to write too! Just see what happens next! It'll be great. Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: Don't own Zoids nor Disturbed...I just bought two LP CDs and one by Audiovent! Oh ya, and I got this new trippy optical mouse that changes colours while it sits there, like green and blue and red and stuff....it's like an acid trip!
Now! On to the story!
Several months had passed since what had become to be known as the Rarehertz Fiasco. Both Guylos and Helic armies appeared to be taking a respite from fighting, though a cease-fire had not been called between the two warring sides. It appeared as though both Imperial and Republic intelligence were looking into the cause of the Rarehertz blast that had cost both armies so dearly as to go into remission for the next few months after the battle at the Valley of the Rarehertz. In addition, strange reports had abound about small attacks hitting outlying communities. Many quick and fade hits had been reported, being perpetuated by one Zoid that no one could get a good enough look at to identify. Still, others said that Zoids had been disappearing one at a time. Other reports came trickling in of strange sightings all around Zi, leading many to believe that Imperial or Republic forces were on the move again.
"I told you already! I don't know anything about that!"
A man's body went flying through the window of a dingy bar in the heart of Romeo City. Crystalline fragments littered the ground and reflected the lights from the neon sign above, casting strange colours and shadows over the prone figure. A tall man wearing a long blue vest came out of the bar next, however choosing to use the front door as his mode of departure. He walked over to the downed man and helped him off the ground. Brad Hunter's method of helping was a stiff kick to the ribs.
Now you tell me you like it
You tell me you want it
"I know you know something about the strange sightings around Mount Iselina," said Brad, grabbing the man's arm so he couldn't run away.
The man's face hitched for a second before he hid his surprise, but Brad had seen it as well.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the man stammered, "I just own this bar, that's all!"
Brad smirked, "Sure, and you give money to needy children. I saw the recognition on your face when I mentioned Iselina," he shook the man by his collar, "Now tell me what you know!"
"I don't know!" the man shouted.
Brad's backhand blow caught the man off guard and snapped his head back.
"Now tell me what you've heard," Brad said menacingly.
"I can't," the man said quietly.
Brad's fist cocked back, "Then perhaps you need more influencing."
You're mine
And you don't need another one
Before he could deliver the blow, a woman's voice halted him.
"Determined to get results as always, huh Brad?"
Brad wheeled around in surprise, dropping the man to the pavement. "Naomi! What are you doing here?"
The man took advantage of Brad's temporary surprise and bolted back into the bar, shutting the door behind him and locking it. Brad turned and scowled, realizing that his quarry had escaped.
"I wasn't aware that it was against the law to live in Romeo City," Naomi Fluegal said sarcastically, "I'm trying to have a drink at a bar I know, and what do I see? I see big tough Brad Hunter beating on the owner!"
Brad grabbed his face, "You weren't supposed to see that Naomi."
Naomi sighed, "Brad, just why are you beating up on innocent civilians?"
Come on and tell me you like it
Tell me you want it
Brad grunted, "He's not so innocent, besides, it's my job."
Naomi narrowed her eyes sternly, "Jack told me about you running off to play soldier. I figured you could have at least told me about it."
Brad leaned up against the brick wall of the front of the bar. "Look, it was sort of a spur of the moment kind of thing. Once I was in I didn't have time to tell anyone."
"Spur of the moment my ass," Naomi spat, "Jack said you were drunker than a trucker during happy hour."
"Hey, I know I left you in the dark about that, but I don't need a lecture," Brad said turning to walk down the sidewalk.
Naomi fell into step beside him, "Sure, but what you do need is information about Mount Iselina."
Brad halted his walk, turning to face Naomi, "How do you know about that?"
Naomi's violet eyes glinted mischievously, "Well I would say I can't seem to remember, but I see what happens to those who say that to you," she said, gesturing towards the broken window.
You're mine
And another one to me
And the world will get you high
Brad chuckled, "Then why don't we find a new bar, and maybe you can tell me?" he suggested.
"Sure thing Mr. Hunter, if you're the one that's buying," said Naomi as she led him across the street to another bar.
"Hey!" the technician yelled, "Try it this time!"
Twin boosters roared to life, ion fed engines blowing exhaust out the back vents and into the fan situated behind the wind tunnel. This time, however, the support struts held and the Shield Liger that the boosting units were mounted did not sustain any damage.
"I think you got it that time!" came the pilot's excited voice.
"Okay," the technician said, "Come on out, we want to do a few more tweaks!"
The cockpit hatch of the blue Shield Liger opened up, allowing its pilot to stand up and stretch his arms out. He took his crash helmet off and shook his head, sweat droplets flying off his spiky blonde hair in the process.
"Hey Lieutenant, how did it feel?" a young man in a red Helic jumpsuit asked.
"Just fine," said Bit Cloud as he climbed down the ladder set up on the side of the Shield Liger's head.
"That's good," said Second Lieutenant Krys Vilnen, "Can it keep up with the Jager?"
First Lieutenant Bit Cloud laughed merrily, warmth in his green eyes, "I don't know about that Krys, but it certainly could give any Lightning Saix a run for its money."
"That's good!" said Krys, "Now maybe I'll be able to keep up with my wingman out there!"
Bit just laughed, nodding to the technician as he came out of the control room to give his status report.
"So how does it look from the data end?" asked Bit.
"Well sir," said the technician, "The Shield Liger/Jager CAS works pretty much close to one hundred per cent now. We had more trouble with this one than with the Shield Liger/Schneider or Shield Liger/Panzer units because of the stress put on the Liger's legs by the booster unit's intense speed," the tech adjusted his glasses, "The internal structuring in the aeroform of the Zoid began to twist out of alignment."
"Can you put that in plain English?" said Krys, scratching his head in confusion.
Bit laughed, "He means that the strength of the engines caused the legs to snap in earlier tests."
"Indeed," said the tech, "But we've improved on the leg strength so that we no longer have that problem."
"So does that mean I get to try out the new CAS system soon?" Krys said with that look that many young children get in their eyes when they talk about Christmas.
"Indeed it does soldier," said an approaching General Trexen Winters. The three men snapped to attention and saluted.
General Winters waved his hand, "At ease." He turned to address Bit, "I've okayed the installment of a CAS system to your section of the hanger, and signed off on the development of twelve sets of each of the modified conversion armours for special use by the Fierce Lion Squadron."
Bit smiled, "Excellent, that will dramatically improve the effectiveness of our squad."
The General nodded, "And it also allows us to tailor your squad as the mission profile dictates."
Bit agreed. It made sense after all, to modify the conversion armours for mass use. The Shield Liger/Schneider combo would allow for them to mount better attack units to the Shield Ligers while still allowing them to keep their shock cannons, giving them the addition of a set of buster blades much like the original Schneider unit. The Shield Panzer unit mounted many extra cannons and heavier armour, as well as a lighter version of the actual Panzer's Hybrid Cannons. They had also solved the problem of overheating in the original Panzer armour, installing a much more efficient cooling system. Finally, the Shield Jager unit added a set of high powered boosters to the back of the Shield Liger, disabling it's back cannons but adding a set of head mounted mini guns to compensate. The big plus for all the modification was that the Shield Ligers kept their shielding units no matter the CAS they were using.
"But," said the General, "Not only am I here to inspect the armour conversion process, but I have a mission for your squad."
Bit raised his eyebrows. There had been few missions since a few months before during the Rarehertz campaign, aside from the odd patrol or supply guarding mission.
"I assume you are aware of the strange events taking place around outlying settlements?"
Bit nodded, "Yes sir, the reports of small hit and run operations have been circulating around the base for a few weeks now."
"Well," the General continued, "They're beginning to get stranger."
"How so?" asked Krys, "I mean, what's stranger than Guylos hitting small out of the way communities for little profit?"
"Lieutenant Vilnen, if it were only that," the General turned back to Bit, "People have reported Zoids going missing."
"Missing?" Bit intoned.
"Correct, but not only that, on the days or nights of these 'thefts' for a lack of a better term, one or more white Zoids have been spotted."
"White huh," Bit rubbed his head thoughtfully, "Neither Imperial nor Republic then."
"Could they be bandits?" Krys wondered.
"Normally, that is what we would have thought, but for it to be bandits the thefts would have to have occurred in a set area."
"And these didn't did they?" said Bit.
"Indeed. Each of the thefts has been measured in areas that stretch across the whole Eastern continent, with some even occurring around some of the islands in the Zerros region," the General elaborated.
"So then there is substance to the rumours," Bit concluded.
"Not only that," said the General, "But the Zoids have been taken in the strangest way."
Now Krys was intrigued, "Strange ways?"
"Eye witnesses report seeing the stolen Zoids being hit with some strange kind of weapon before being taken away."
"Strange weapon?" Bit was also intrigued.
"Some report seeing a bright flash of light, and then the Zoids disappear with their stolen goods."
"What about those who are still in their cockpits when they're attacked?" asked Bit.
"It's strange," said General Winters, "When hit with this weapon, the Zoid ejects its pilot, and then the same thing happens, the flash of light and they disappear."
"So then, our mission has something to do with this then huh," said Krys.
"That's correct Lieutenant," General Winters smiled, "We've had reports of a strange white Zoid being spotted around a set of cave-like ruins just off the coast of the Central continent, on the Draccon peninsula. We believe that it may be linked to the recent thefts."
"And you want us to check it out," said Bit, finishing for him.
"Yes," said General Winters, "This should be an ample mission to test your new CAS system as well. You'll depart tomorrow at 0900 hours, so get some rest."
With that, the General left them to finish up their testing on the Shield Jager.
"Well," said Krys, "You heard the man. I'm gonna go get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow LT." Krys walked over to the nearest elevator, heading up to the main level where the hanger was.
We'll see just how good these new CAS units are, he thought, looking over his shoulder at the modified Shield Liger, leaving to catch a quick bite to eat before bed.
"So you're back in the singles division huh?" said Brad, clearing away his empty glass and ordering another beer.
Naomi nodded, "Yes, since Leon rejoined the Blitz team I decided to get back into singles battling. It pays the bills I suppose."
Brad took a swig of his new mug of beer, taking a quick glance around the bar, before his gaze returned to Naomi.
"So what are you doing out at this time of night?" she asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," he replied.
Naomi snorted, "Yeah, but I bet I know something you don't know."
"Like what?"
"Oh I don't know," she said, playing with her mug, "Just things."
"What kind of things?" he was beginning to get annoyed.
"Things about Mount Iselina," she lowered her voice.
Brad jumped to his feet in surprise, his stool falling over. "What!" His quick outburst startled some of the other patrons, but the bartender paid him no mind.
Brad lowered his voice, "What?"
"Oh, nothing," she said offhandedly.
"Yes, you said something about Mount Iselina. How do you know about that?" he interrogated.
What can you take from me
That which you cannot buy
"Trade a question for a question then?" she suggested.
"Okay, but you first," he agreed, "What is this about Mount Iselina?"
"Well," she said, "I'm sure you know about the strange sightings around the mountain right?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm here," said Brad.
"Well, they're true. There's been some strange white Zoids hanging around the mountain on the foggy nights, like they're looking for something."
Brad thought a moment, "Hmm....white coloured Zoids in fog huh? That would make for a good camouflage."
"Well, they've been spotted in and around, and some Zoids have gone missing too," she said, "People say that place is haunted.
Exhilaration
Laughing and turning away
Brad laughed into his mug, "I doubt that. I bet those Zoids are just a special forces unit of Republic Zoids, and the so called 'disappearing Zoids' are just civilians who got too close." He stood up to leave the bar, "I'll have to go report this to my superiors."
Naomi got cross at this, "Wait a second Brad Hunter, you still owe me an explanation!"
"Okay, fine," he conceded, "What's the question?"
"Why are you fighting in this war?"
"Excuse me?"
"You don't belong in this war," she accused, "It's not your fight."
"Naomi, anything that concerns money is my fight," Brad said.
What will you take from me
Now that you are inside
Intoxication
"You gave up a great career in Zoid fighting for money from the Imperial military?" her voice rose, "You probably get paid less than you did when you fought in Class B!"
Brad turned to head for the door.
"Brad!" she yelled, "Get back here! I'm not done with you yet!"
He was about to leave when he turned back to her, "Maybe I'm also in it for the recognition."
"Recognition!" she exclaimed, "Who cares about that!"
Now are you feeling
Enough, to vilify what I love
To sanctify all I hate
He turned back to the door, his hand resting on the handle. "Sometimes recognition is worth more than even money."
With that he left out into the Romeo City night, leaving behind a speechless Naomi, who could do little to stop his departure. She sat back down at her table before finishing off her mug.
Brad I hope you know what you're doing.
As he headed back to his Gustav he made a mental note to contact his superior about Mount Iselina, and hopefully he wouldn't be stuck with Harry Champ again.
Endowed with the need
To carry over the life I lead
Intoxicating
To some people, recognition is worth more than anything in the world.
"So, what do you think boss?" came Krys voice as he approached Bit in the hanger the next morning.
"Huh?" Bit's reply was confused.
"Here," said Krys, handing Bit a steaming cup of coffee, "This'll help defog your brain."
Bit gratefully accepted the cup and took a sip. As soon as it hit his mouth he winced, "Jesus! What is this stuff?"
"Oh nothing," said Krys nonchalantly, "Just coffee specially brewed by me over three days to be extra strong."
"Strong is an understatement," Bit coughed, "This stuff is strong enough to put down the Death Saurer!"
"Yeah, and it's great for hangovers," added Krys.
"Oh good, so if I fight the Death Saurer with a hangover, then I can kill two birds with one stone?"
Both men's laughter lit up the early morning lull hanging over the hanger. The other pilots, seeing that their commander and executive officer were in a good mood, also relaxed.
"Anyways, back to my earlier question," Krys reminded.
"Which was?" Bit said as he took enough sip of the acidic coffee.
"Which armour units are we gonna use today?" he asked.
"Oh," said Bit, "Well, since this is a recon of unknown territory, we'll definitely need speed, so the Shield Jager is in."
"Okay, I'll go let the techs know," said Krys, turning to leave.
"Wait!" yelled Bit, "But what if we run into a little enemy muscle? Maybe we should use the Schneider units instead?"
"Okay," said Krys, "Then I'll tell them to use the Schneider units."
"Wait!" he halted Krys again, "What if there's some really fortified stuff there? We'll need the cannons on the Panzers to punch through!"
Krys sighed, "How about this LT. We bring along four Jager units to scout, and if they encounter medium resistance, we bring in six Schneider units. And if there's still some heavy stuff we're up against, we use two Panzer units from long distance as mobile artillery. That should cover all angles of attack," he finished, taking a large breath.
Bit laughed, "Okay, that sounds good."
"Just one request?" Krys added, "Can I pilot a Shield Jager this mission?"
"Sure, go ahead," Bit said smiling, "If you can handle the speed. I'll be with the Schneider group then, and we'll put Private Kaj in charge of the Panzers. She always liked big explosions anyways."
"Great, I'll go let them know!" Krys ran off with a wave.
Bit walked over to his own Zoid, and the Liger Zero gave a friendly growl as he approached.
"Are you ready buddy?" Bit asked.
The Liger roared an affirmative and stamped its paw restlessly.
"Good."
Bit whistled loudly, getting the attention of everyone in the hanger.
"We move out in an hour! Lieutenant Vilnen has your assignments!"
"Hey Lead!" came Krys Vilnen's excited voice as he boosted ahead in his Shield Jager, "These things can really go can't they?"
Bit chuckled to himself, "That's right Two. Remind me to tell me about the time I outraced the fastest Lightning Saix ever built."
"Will do Lead, but I think I see the objective up ahead," Krys replied.
"Alright," Bit activated his squadron comm channel, "Schneider and Panzer Group, hold here. Jager group, continue onwards to investigate those caves."
"Wish me luck," said Krys as he and the three other Shield Jagers activated their boosters fully and headed towards the system of caves.
Bit smiled at his wingman's need for speed. Just don't let it go to your head my friend.
No sooner had Krys' disappeared into the caves then the sounds of explosions could be heard.
I can't take that guy anywhere.
"Uhh Lead?" Krys' voice sounded a little stunned, "We've got a problem here. A big problem."
With that Bit could see Krys' Shield Jager come speeding out of the caves, followed closely by his squadmates. Behind them came a hulking, enormous Zoid. It was completely white in colour and was bristling with enough weaponry to lay waste to a small base.
"Two, where did that Gordos come from? It's huge!"
Krys sounded slightly shaken as he reached Bit's position, the Gordos far behind. "I don't know Lead, it just came blundering out of the caves, guns blazing!"
"Well, we'd better deal with it. It must've been protecting something important."
"At least it can't hit us from here," said Krys, sounding relieved.
Almost in retaliation to his words the Gordos opened fire, long range cannons nearly pegging Krys' Zoid.
"Apparently not," said Bit dryly. "Okay Fierce Lions, here's what we do. Two, I want you to take the Shield Jagers and distract it so that the Shield Schneiders can get close enough to harass it at close range and get under those cannons firing distance."
"Will do Lead," said Krys as he and the other three Shield Jagers boosted off, zigzagging towards the rampaging Gordos.
"Twelve, you and Eleven will wait until you can get an open shot with your Hybrid Cannons. Once you do, give that thing all you can throw at it."
"Will do," came Private Kaj's reply.
"Move out Lions!" Bit ordered, and he and his squad of Schneider units headed towards the lumbering Gordos, which at the moment was trying its best to swat Krys Vilnen's Zoid with its large, spiked tail. The Shield Jager spun, leapt up and over the sweeping appendage and opened fire with its impact cannons, scoring hits along the Gordos heavily armoured side, but doing little damage.
"Schneider units, deploy Buster Blades now!" Bit ordered, deploying his own blades in the Buster Slash position. Multiple blades flipped forwards on all the orange armoured Zoids, glinting in the overhead sunlight as they charged the Gordos. Splitting into two lines of three each to make the Gordos divide its fire, the deployed their shields until the last minute, dropping them in favour of raking their blades along the Gordos' side. The white Zoid howled as long gashes were ripped open along its flank, doing more damage than the Shield Jagers had done. The angered Zoid turned to follow Bit as he finished his run, exposing its already damaged side to the Panzer units.
"Twelve, fire away!" Bit yelled.
"With pleasure lead," replied Private Kaj.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's enjoying this.
Punctuating his thoughts, four Hybrid Cannon beams ripped across the vast expanse separating the Shield Panzers from the Gordos. They slammed into the white Zoid's side shattering the already damaged armour plating and blowing the large Zoid onto its side.
Bit opened up a comm link with the pilot of the other Zoid, "Surrender now, or we'll have to destroy your Zoid."
He got no response, so he used the special systems installed in his Zoid to force a video link with the pilot. The image blared to life on his screen, the sight causing Bit's jaw to drop.
There's no pilot in that thing!
The Gordos began to rise back to its feet, ready for another round of fighting.
Not this time.
Bit brought the Schneider around for another pass, jumping at the Gordos' strangely shaped head.
"Seven Blades Attack!"
Bit landed several feet away, skidded to a halt, and retracted his blades. The Gordos' head fell to the ground with a thump.
"Well done as usual Lead," said Krys, walking over with his Shield Jager.
"Thanks Two, but I want to see what this Gordos was guarding."
He paced the Liger Zero over to the cave that the Gordos attacked from, Krys following close behind. The cave was fairly small and Bit reached the back wall with little time having passed. He trained his visual scanners on the wall and noticed some strange writing on the wall.
Where have I seen this before?
"What's that stuff Lead?" Krys sounded confused.
"I think I know what this is," said Bit thoughtfully. "That's it! This is the same kind of writing we found at Lake Eve!"
He brought up the picture on his screen, "I think the Liger will be able to decipher it."
"What?" Krys' confusion rose a few levels, "How can your Zoid tell what that is?"
"Let's just say he's a special Zoid," replied Bit, as the writing began to appear on his screen in a format he could understand.
Those trapped in the fog will see the great champion rise at Mount Iselina with the coming of the full moon.
"What does it mean Lead?" asked Krys.
The full moon is tonight!
"We had better get to Mount Iselina as soon as possible."
The silent movement of a Shadow Fox cut through the underbrush of the dimly lit forest, the sun's rays barely piercing the thick canopy of trees. Still, not much disturbed the forest as the Fox's sound scrubbing gear all but eliminated the heavy sounds elicited by most Zoids. Brad smirked, noticing the squad of eleven Scout Foxes keeping their pace behind him. Though not capable of being as quiet as the Shadow Fox, the Scout Fox, when in capable hands, could be almost as silent. And his pilots were some of the best in the recon business, so it was almost as if they were non-existent.
Which is good if we're going to get the drop on this Republic operation.
He guided his Zoid between the closely packed trees, and over fallen logs until his objective was in sight. A thick fog enshrouded the mountain, but he could still see its general outline against the sky.
"There it is," he said over his comm, "That's the objective."
Another one voice came on the airwaves, "They say Mount Iselina is always covered in fog. Won't it be difficult to see the enemy?"
"That may very well be, but since fog affects them as well, it'll be an equal playing field," said Brad.
They cleared the forest and entered the thick fog, immediately loosing sight of each other.
"Switch to infrared scanning," ordered Brad.
He flicked a switch on his console, changing the HUD scanners over to heat scan. The signatures of his men appeared on his aft scopes, the dampening fog making their heat signatures stand out like a white suit at a funeral.
"Now keep your eyes open, we may be seeing something soon," he warned, one eye glued to his scanners and another to the wall of fog in front of him.
"Sir! I'm detecting multiple heat signatures directly ahead of us!" one of his men shouted. "I'm counting at least ten!"
Hmph, we can handle ten.
"Alright, prepare to engage footlocks, and open fire with wide suppression chain guns on my mark," he ordered.
Multiple snaps were heard as each of the Scout Foxes activated their footlocks, an essential action for ensuring increased accuracy for their back mounted chain guns.
"Mark!" Brad commanded.
Fire lit the dense fog as multiple chain guns opened up, spitting thousands of rounds through the fog in a matter of seconds. Brad's gaze stayed on his infrared scanners, where the enemies position was marked by ten red dots. He watched as they began to disappear, first one, then three more, then the rest went down as well.
"Cease fire!" he called.
The Scout Foxes unclamped from the ground and stopped firing. The only sound was that of the chain guns, still spinning even after firing had stopped. Silence soon reclaimed the mountain, all sounds of battle fading into the fog.
Brad sighed, "Alright, let's move."
Another frantic call lit up the comm unit, "Sir, I'm detecting ten more units, no make that twenty, no make that.....they're everywhere!"
Brad watched in horror as red dots began to appear in front of his position, to the side, and behind. He counted at least fifty units before his scanners went dead.
Author Note: O.O...... Muahahahaha! My first cliff hanger! I hope you enjoyed it! Tell me what you thought of it please and thank you! And be sure to tune in next time! And be sure to Review, review, REVIEW!!! (oh by the way, I saved my computer from several viruses, so take that evil internet!)
